People are just discovering how ketchup originated

Ketchup is a staple in pretty much everyone's fridges (or cupboards, depending which side of the debate you're on).

But do you know where it actually came from? How the red bottles came to exist over here in the UK?

Well, we just found out, and we never would have guessed!

Ever wondered where ketchup came from? (Credit: Getty)

When did ketchup originate in the UK?

Whilst ketchup might just exist in our heads as a condiment that was invented to dunk chips into – maybe a chicken nugget if you're feeling wild – that wasn't always the case.

It turns out the red sauce actually originated in China...or rather, a version of it did.

Reports state the sauce was first inspired by the flavour of pickled fish, and was actually more similar to soy sauce, with a darker colour and thinner texture.

According to National Geographic: “The British likely encountered ketchup in Southeast Asia, returned home, and tried to replicate the fermented dark sauce.”

A cook named Richard Bradley is said to have attempted to emulate the fishy taste in 1727, with a recipe named “Ketchup in Paste”, made from shallots, nutmeg, mushrooms, lemon peel, anchovies and horseradish.

Imagine this tasted of... fish (Credit: Getty)

Then, tomato ketchup didn't crop up until 1812, when horticulturist James Mease made a recipe.

He referred to tomatoes as 'love apples' in the recipe, which used tomato pulp, brandy and spices.

Finally, in 1876, Heinz got in on the fun – and the rest is history.

National Geographic explained: "Heinz developed a recipe that used ripe, red tomatoes — which have more of the natural preservative called pectin than the scraps other manufacturers used — and dramatically increased the amount of vinegar and to reduce risk of spoilage.

"Heinz began producing preservative-free ketchup, and soon dominated the market. In 1905, the company had sold five million bottles of ketchup."

Ketchup is now a staple in the UK - and across the globe (Credit: Getty)

It might have started as a fish-flavoured condiment, but today ketchup is a household fave, with Heinz selling 650 million bottles globally a year.

Turns out a pretty poor attempt at Chinese flavours here in Britain accidentally produced the sauce we know and love.

Everything happens for a reason, ey?

Featured image: Getty