Help Me Find Interesting, Unique Varieties of Ketchup!
Good Questions

Q: My good friend is obsessed with ketchup! His birthday is coming up and I thought it would be fun to put together a gift bag of different kinds of ketchup. My organic grocery store carries a few interesting varieties and I know of a few restaurants in my area that sell their homemade stuff.

I was wondering if anyone knew of some great unique bottles that I could get my hands on. They need to be available in Canada or ship for a reasonable cost.

Sent by Chelsey

Editor: Chelsey, I recently tried Sir Kensington's ketchup, which I really enjoyed. I know it's available at Williams-Sonoma, and the company ships as well. The ketchup is very lively and bright. It's a little sweet for my taste, but it balances it with a very fresh tomato taste.

You can also try making ketchup yourself!

Readers, what else would you suggest to Chelsey?

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Related: Make or Buy? Tomato Ketchup

(Image: Williams-Sonoma)

Comments (20)

Williams-Sonoma does not ship in Canada, but they do have stores in Canada you might visit for this product. I've never seen it in W-S in Canada, though, and I go often.

I think if you had the time and inclination, canning your own homemade ketchup might go over better; there is nothing like the taste of homemade ketchup and since tomatoes are in season this should be relatively easy, and certainly easier than finding places that will ship to Canada online. Just a thought. I like this recipe:" http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Homemade-Ketchup-109037

This is a ketchup in the broad sense that ketchup means condiment, so maybe not what you're looking for, but might make an interesting addition to your gift basket.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCQH3I?tag=ochefcom-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=B000OCQH3I&creative=373489&camp=211189

Make sriracha ketchup! SO GOOD.

Try this cranberry ketchup from The Scrumptious Pantry. Good stuff!

If you know anyone going to Germany soon, have them pick some up at the grocery. Hundreds of types of ketchup. Just a staggering array. And just as much mustard, too.

One option may be to make your own! There are several unique recipes to be found online, and I personally prefer homemade gifts to store bought.

http://www.amazon.ca/Steven-Raichlen-SR8105-13-5-Ounces-Gourmet/dp/B003FZAVEW/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1313442034&sr=1-3

I know there is a roasted red pepper "ketchup". I can't find where it's sold but maybe you could make a batch!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Red-Pepper-Ketchup-101844

It's made a restaurant near my house and it's not bad!

fun things!
Spicy Ketchup @ http://www.mayakaimal.com
Chipotle Ketchup and Curry Ketchup @ http://www.montebellokitchens.com
and you mustmustmust check out Cherith Valley Homestyle Ketchup @ http://www.cherithvalley.com
(...i work in food.)
thumbs up to sir kensington's as well!

This isn't helpful for the OP necessarily, but others interested in ketchup might want to check out Stephen Raichlen's "Sauces, Rubs and Marinades". It's a companion book to his BBQ Bible that has a bunch of different ketchup recipes and includes a fascinating write-up on the history of ketchup.

It has a bunch of other sauces too -- a wide array of different sauces (not just variations where one recipe is basically the same as another recipe but with out garlic or whatever, which I've seen in other cookbooks).

http://www.amazon.com/Barbecue-Bible-Sauces-Marinades-Butters/dp/0761119795

Lucilles Creole Cafe in Colorado has the most amazing ketsup I have ever tasted. It's got a unique taste and a little kick and I would drink this stuff straight from the bottle if it wasn't 6 bucks a pop! YUM!
http://www.luciles.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=14

Thanks everyone! these are great suggestions.

I'll check them all out! And I may try to make my own. This year all my tomatoes had to be pulled out due to late blight but if I get a good deal at the market it's definitely something I'd like to tackle. Thanks for the recipe suggestions, it would be great to add my own to the mix.

We actually have a german import grocery store not far so I'll be sure to check out their options.

I placed an order for the Sir Kensington ketchup. Enough for me to try it too :)

I got some cherry ketchup at Cherry Republic in Michigan last summer that was pretty good!

http://www.melindas.com

They make some very good spicy ketchups. My personal favorite is the chipotle flavor. They ship internationally, too.

I wish you well with your quest. But in matters ketchup, I am a purist: Heinz or nothing.

Doesn't make for a great birthday present, though :(

I like the Peppery Moroccan Ketchup by Dulcet Cuisine. They also have Mild Indian Curry Ketchup and Sweet Orange Chile Ketchup.
https://dulcetcuisine.hostasaurus.com/dulcet-products.htm

I bought it at Whole Foods...not sure if you have one close where you are in Canada. Their site also says available at Gourmet Trading in Canada.

Not sure if they ship to Canada, but these guys are making a name for themselves p with their ketchup in NJ http://www.first-field.com/

If you go to an Asian supermarket and go to the Filipino food section you should see Jufran Banana Ketchup/Banana Sauce: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_ketchup

Definitely unique and delicious, but a lil bit sweeter than regular ketchup.

here in europe, there is no one better than the Mutti from italy. superb taste and their tomat purre is also really excellent.

http://www.mutti-parma.com/en

I found a banana ketchup that looked pretty interesting. It was in Superstore in Saskatoon, SK, in the ethnic foods aisle.