A taste test of supermarket tomato ketchups has crowned Rubies in the Rubble Ketchup but Gooder as the best overall, with the cheapest option, Aldi's Bramwells Original, named the best bargain.
The test covered 10 products, ranging from budget own-label bottles to premium organic versions. Every sauce performed well, with even the most economical options proving suitable for family meals, according to the reviewer, who admitted to a lifelong love of ketchup on everything from fries to french toast.
Tomato content varies widely
Tomato content varied greatly across the range, though not always in line with price. The most tomato-heavy products contained almost twice as much fruit as the least. This is presented in two ways: the amount of raw tomato used before cooking down into puree (more than 200g per 100g of finished product is high, less than 150g is low), and a straight percentage of tomato puree (above 50% is high). Products made with fewer tomatoes are sometimes thickened with modified maize starch.
All products delivered what they promised and were great with chips, though some top-end sauces suit a more mature palate with a richer, spiced flavour while retaining the classic umami-sweet-sour tang.
Best overall and best bargain
Rubies in the Rubble Ketchup but Gooder (£3 for 485g at Tesco, 62p/100g) earned four stars for its vivid red colour, sweet and complex aroma, and high fruit content of 242g per 100g, including surplus pears and apples. It contains the preservative potassium sorbate and 20% total sugars.
Aldi's Bramwells Original tomato ketchup (89p for 550g, 16p/100g) received three stars as a thin, smooth puree with a classic, inoffensive flavour profile, making it perfect for kids. It has a simple, additive-free formula with 16.4% total sugars.
How the rest ranked
Co-op On the Side tomato ketchup (89p for 550g, 16p/100g) was thick and deep red with a sharp nose but tempting savoury aroma, 22% total sugars, and 167g tomatoes per 100g sauce. Sainsbury's So Organic tomato ketchup (£2.10 for 460g, 46p/100g) offered a clean aroma and classic sharp-yet-sweet umami flavour, with 20.9% sugars and a relatively low 38% tomato puree.
Mr Organic Italian organic tomato ketchup (£3.75 for 480g at Ocado, 78p/100g) came in a glass bottle with a thick, smooth texture and high 80% tomato content, plus 16% sugars. M&S Only 8 Ingredients tomato ketchup (£2.50 for 250ml at Ocado, £1/100ml) was the sweetest at 23.9% sugars, sweetened with agave syrup, and had the highest tomato content at 281g per 100g.
Heinz tomato ketchup (£3.30 for 460g, 72p/100g) was described as candy-sweet with a sour twang and good depth, but with 22.8% sugars and a low 148g of tomatoes per 100g. Essential Waitrose & Partners tomato ketchup (£1 for 470g, 21p/100g) had a thick, mousse-like texture with 75% tomato puree, modified maize starch, and 21.5% sugars.
Asda Classic tomato ketchup (£1.13 for 550g, 21p/100g) was smooth and thick with a plain, sweet-forward flavour, 21% sugars, and a low tomato ratio of 148g per 100g. Tesco tomato ketchup (£1.15 for 555g, 21p/100g) scored lowest, with a thin consistency and slimy texture from modified maize starch, 17.9% sugars, and 148g tomatoes per 100g.
