Long-time readers at BalanceofFood.com know I regularly bring back ketchup from Canada, so I am an expert on Canadian ketchup.
Heinz Canada was my choice because the regular version had sugar and not glucose-fructose and vinegar (at the time) was the 2nd ingredient instead of the aforementioned sugar.
But now there is a war, of sorts, over which ketchup is the most Canadian. And Heinz isn't in that battle.
French's took over the Leamington, Ontario plant after Heinz left after over 100 years in the southwestern Ontario city.
Loblaw's dropped French's in part (allegedly) to support its own President's Choice ketchup. Thanks to Brian Fernandez and others on social media, Loblaw's quickly brought French's back to store shelves.
Whether the tomatoes or the manufacturing is more important has been the cornerstone over whether each ketchup is "more Canadian."
Miracle Whip with sugar found in Canada; Heinz Canada moves sugar up to #2 in ingredients
Ketchup on store shelves much better; restaurants slow to change
Levels of sweetness: U.S. vs. Canada
But none of the arguments centers on which one is best and which one tastes better. Perhaps Heinz is the best-tasting, even though it's not made from Canadian tomatoes.
Heinz Canada regular ketchup still tastes better than regular Heinz in the U.S. due to the latter's use of high-fructose corn syrup. And this is why I drag it across the border.
All 3 ketchups in Canada are made with liquid sugar. Every mainstream U.S. ketchup is made with high-fructose corn syrup. On that crucial point, Canada rules.
You can read more about the Canadian ketchup wars in this story from our sister blog, CanadianCrossing.com.
photo credit: @brianfernandez Twitter
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