Does ketchup belong in the fridge, or the cupboard?
I'm hoping this will solve a biiig long-running debate I have with my friends. Heinz Tomato Ketchup (The UK version contains sugar from beets, rather than HFCS like the US version)
I tend to think that ketchup should live in the fridge, once opened, because I'm a real stickler for the use-by instructions.
However, my friends, and their friends think I'm nuts, and are convinced that ketchup should live in the cupboard. Having eaten ketchup stored in both fridge, and cupboard, the only difference being that refrigerated ketchup also cools the food it's just been applied to.
Consensus of the cooking gurus then?
Best Answer
Anything can spoil eventually, refrigerated or not. Keeping something under a lid and refrigerated restricts the number of airborne colonizers that might get access to it, and the cold temperature means that even if they get there, they will grow much slower than at room temperature.
For something to spoil, it needs to be colonized by bacteria or fungus spores, and it needs to contain some nourishment to support their growth, not too much chemicals that prevent their growth, and not too much competing life forms already present. So, things with a high concentration of salt or sugar tend to be unhospitable to bacteria and fungi growth, because they are hygroscopic (they draw the water out of cells). Extreme high or low pH (eg acidic) also retards growth. Think of things like ketchup, mustard, jelly with labels that say "refrigerate after opening" but most people ignore them. Alcohol is unfriendly if the concentration is too high, and of course natural fermented foods are already occupied by human-friendly bacteria.
Ketchup is sealed in a bottle, usually with no fingers or utensils inserted into it, so it stays pretty sterile. It is also protected by being hygroscopic (due to high concentration of sugar and salt) and its acidity. Ketchup as a word and concept is descended from an Indonesian fish sauce, and has been around much longer than refrigeration. I think you can leave it out with no worries unless you see obvious mold growth.
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Quick Answer about "Does ketchup belong in the fridge, or the cupboard?"
“Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. “However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after openingShould ketchup be kept in the fridge or cupboard?
\u201cBecause of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product be refrigerated after opening to maintain the best product quality.\u201dWhere is the best place to keep ketchup?
Ketchup. Like many condiments, ketchup can be stored either in the refrigerator or on the shelf even after it's been opened, according to Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institue (FMI). If you don't use it regularly, however, opt for the fridge. Unopened ketchup will last at least a year.Is it OK to keep ketchup out of the fridge?
Shelf life: 1 month If you use ketchup often, do as restaurants and diners do \u2014 just leave it out. Ketchup can be kept unrefrigerated for up to one month, but if you don't think you'll finish the bottle in that timeframe, it's best to keep it in the refrigerator.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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