Ketchup potato chips are a regional variety of potato chip found in Canada. Its invention is typically attributed to Hostess Potato Chips.[1] It is a popular Canadian snack food.[2] As of 2024, ketchup chips are sold in almost every Canadian grocery store.[3]
History
editHostess Potato Chips began experimenting with the production of new potato chip varieties in the early 1970s. Ketchup chips were the only one that proved profitable, as other flavours like orange and grape were discontinued.[2] According to a writer for The Takeout, ketchup chips do not truly taste like ketchup but instead are composed of flavours reminiscent of it, like cooked tomatoes and sugar.[4] A writer for Thrillest described them as tasting "like a bottle of ketchup was blown apart" and "were dusted upon the chip in equal parts".[3] The chip variety has also been described as a "sweeter barbecue".[5] Ketchup chips are not marketed with healthier variants, as diminished salt content and natural flavouring changes the taste of them significantly and therefore limits product innovation.[6] Ketchup chips are strongly associated with Canadian identity.[7] They are especially popular in the province of Manitoba.[6]
International markets
editCanadian chip flavours such as ketchup are more vinegar-based in comparison to the United States, where more varieties have a creamier flavour profile. These flavour preferences are likely influenced by differing immigration trends and Canada's connection to the United Kingdom.[8] For example, Canadians are more likely to pair white vinegar with fries, a combination that is commonplace in Britain but unusual in the United States.[9]
Historically, Old Dutch sold ketchup chips in both Canada and the United States but discontinued production in the American market after it failed to succeed.[10] There is limited production of the variety in the United States, but ketchup chips are much more commonplace in Canada. Frito Lay does not sell its ketchup chips in the US, with American potato chips being produced by other companies like Herr's Snacks.[11] In 2023, two Americans travelled from Virginia to Niagara Falls, Ontario, in order to purchase forty bags of ketchup chips. A Canadian grocery store then shipped them nine cases of potato chips.[12]
Walkers, a British food manufacturer, launched ketchup chips in 2001, partnering with Heinz to produce the product.[13] These chips were discontinued in 2023.[14] Sausage and ketchup chips were released as a limited edition flavour in 2024.[15]
See also
edit- All-dressed, another Canadian potato chip variety
References
edit- ^ Jackson, Lisa. "The Crunchy History of Ketchup Chips". Food Network Canada. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ a b Skinner, RJ. "7 Canadian snacks you can't get in the U.S. and the backstory on why". CBC Life. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ a b Futon, Wil. "The Delicious Ketchup Snack That Americans Are Totally Missing Out On". Thrillest. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Nutall-Smith, Chris. "What Canadians understand about ketchup chips that Americans don't". The Takeout. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Chu, Louisa. "Who makes the best ketchup chips? Yes, they're a thing. And we tried 13 brands from Canada". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ a b Thiessen 2017, p. 40.
- ^ Goodman, Rob (2023). Why American Democracy Is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself. Simon & Schuster. p. 175. ISBN 9781668012451.
- ^ Lev, Elianna. "Snacks like Coffee Crisp and ketchup chips are only available in Canada, but they have fans around the world". Yahoo News!. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Thiessen 2017, p. 36.
- ^ Thiessen 2017, pp. 41–42.
- ^ Rose, Nick. "How Ketchup Chips Became Edible Canadiana". Vice. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Hristova, Bobby. "American dad and son flooded with ketchup chips after Niagara Falls hunt now donating the crunchy snacks". CBC. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Packaging for new Walkers' Heinz crisps". Design Week. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Glover, Patrick. "Walkers teases new crisp flavour in collaboration with Heinz". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Tamara. "Walkers and Heinz launch three 'mind-bending' new crisp flavours — dividing opinion". Yahoo News!. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
Sources
editThiessen, Janis (2017). Snacks: A Canadian Food History. University of Manitoba Press. ISBN 9780887555275.