Though the origins of the celebration cannot be found, today is National Ketchup Day. The likelihood that you have a bottle of this red condiment in your refrigerator is pretty good since 97% of Americans say they do. Even astronauts won’t leave the planet without taking their ketchup with them! It’s been aboard many journeys to the moon and the space station.
What might surprise you is that ketchup is one of the oldest condiments around. However, I much prefer our version to the original version.
“Ketchup comes from the Chinese word kê-tsiap that dates back to 300 BC in China. Kê-tsiap was a sauce made from fermented fish, consisting of anchovies or oysters, mushrooms, and walnuts. The sauce became very popular with the British during the 17th century when British sailors came across a local fish sauce while in Southeast Asia. In fact, British sailors were known to add the fish sauce to their crackers and meats.
“The sauce was such a novelty for British sailors, it was bottled and brought onboard ships to add flavor to their crackers and meats. Once the sailors reached England, they tried to replicate the recipe, adopting the word catsup in the process.
“In 1812, American scientist named James Mease documented the first tomato-based ketchup recipe. His documentation marked the first official ketchup recipe that contained tomatoes, sugar, spices, and vinegar. The same base recipe we know and love today.”1 Thank you, Dr. Mease!
Through the years, ketchup has been at the center of a great controversy. The debate has enticed many to take sides and battle lines have been drawn. Should you keep ketchup in the ‘fridge or in the pantry? In 2017, Heinz did a Twitter poll to ask the opinions of the readers only to find that the answer was nearly equally divided. Finally, Heinz ended the poll and addressed the issue themselves.
“There was only ever one correct answer, and we’re happy to share with Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers that our ketchup has to be in the fridge,” Olivia Lennon, at Heinz Tomato, told Daily Mail. “Although we’re aware many Heinz Tomato Ketchup fans have been storing their ketchup in the cupboard, we do recommend refrigeration after opening,” she clarified. “This is the best way to maintain the delicious tangy taste of our Heinz Tomato Ketchup that you know and love.” Heinz bottle labels in the U.S. clearly state, “For Best Results, Refrigerate After Opening.”2
The rebuttal to this statement takes us to a restaurant where ketchup bottles are on the tables. Heinz explains that the ketchup bottles in a restaurant are typically refilled daily whereas the bottle in your home may last for months. To keep it in the best flavor, put it in the refrigerator.
There is another ketchup controversy that brews theologically. It’s the “catch up” controversy found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Biblical “catch up” is the Rapturing of the believers at the end of the church age. The controversy is whether that catching up happens before, in the middle, or after the seven-year Tribulation Period. Biblical evidence points very clearly that the catching up happens BEFORE the seven-year Tribulation. One Scripture that points to this great event is 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
The Tribulation Period is the time where God pours out His wrath. The believer is saved from this, rescued by being caught up with the Lord in the air.
Every time you squirt some ketchup on your French fries, cheeseburgers, eggs, or mac -n- cheese, let it be a reminder of the Biblical catch up. It won’t be long and we are going to squirt right out of here!!
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-ketchup-day-june-5
2https://www.allrecipes.com/heinz-settles-ketchup-storage-debate-7556212
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