In an exhaustive review of supermarket ketchups, Rubies in the Rubble Ketchup but Gooder emerged as the top contender, offering a high concentration of fruit content and a complex flavour profile. The evaluation compared a range of supermarket tomato ketchups, examining their composition, flavour, and value for money.
Highs and Lows in Tomato Content
Ketchups were assessed based on their tomato content, which varied significantly across brands. The range spans from a high 242g to a low 148g of raw tomatoes per 100g of completed sauce. This variation isn’t strictly dependent on pricing, with high tomato content not always correlating with higher cost. Additionally, tomato puree percentages were considered, with 50% being the threshold for a rich, tomato-heavy sauce, while lower percentages may include thickeners like modified maize starch.
Top Picks in the Supermarket Aisle
Best Overall: Rubies in the Rubble Ketchup but Gooder
Available for £3 at Tesco and £3.30 at Ocado, this ketchup boasts 242g of fruit per 100g product, complemented by spice and preservative potassium sorbate. It presents a total sugar content of 20%, earning a rating of four out of five.
Best Bargain: Bramwells Original Tomato Ketchup
Priced at 89p for 550g at Aldi, Bramwells offers a budget-friendly option at 16p per 100g. Its straightforward, sweet-sour flavour makes it appealing to children, free from additives, and contains 16.4% total sugars, rated three stars.
Other Noteworthy Contenders
Co-op’s On the Side ketchup is another affordable choice at 16p per 100g, with a higher sugar content (22%) and a 167g tomato ratio. Sainsbury’s So Organic option, with a 20.9% sugar content, offers certified organic status but a lower tomato presence of only 38%.
Heinz Tomato Ketchup remains a classic with its thick, smooth texture and 22.8% sugar, utilising a minimal 148g of tomatoes per 100g. Meanwhile, Mr Organic offers 80% tomato content with a 16% sugar level, being priced at £3.75 for 480g at Ocado.
Lower-Tier Ketchups
Both Asda and Tesco’s versions offer sugar contents between 17.9% and 21%, with a meatier texture from added starch and a low tomato content of 148g per 100g of sauce. Prices range from £1.13 to £1.15 with somewhat unremarkable flavour profiles.
Essential Waitrose & Partners’ ketchup, ranked with two stars, offers a high 75% tomato puree percentage and is priced at £1 for 470g. However, it is marred by a moussey texture, maintaining 21.5% sugar.
Overall, the review highlights the varying quality and characteristics of both high-end and budget supermarket ketchups, providing insights into their composition and flavour profiles.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.