Where to store your ketchup

Whether refrigerating ketchup or keeping it at room temperature is a debate almost as old as ketchup itself. Those who do not refrigerate their ketchup argue that commercial restaurants leave their ketchup bottles out on tables for hours. Whereas those who do, say that the freshness and stability of ketchup can be maintained if refrigerated.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to the quality of the ketchup and your personal preference. But refrigerating ketchup does extend its shelf-life substantially. Ketchup may last for over a year in the pantry if left unopened. But if opened, it will unavoidably be exposed to air and hence its quality will deteriorate. However, if chilled, a bottle of ketchup can last for the number of months it is advertised to last. When it comes to ketchup in the restaurants though, they go through those tables a lot faster than the ones used at home. For the 1 or 2 day uses, the bottles are filled from huge bulk containers that are too most probably stored in refrigerators.

When it comes to safety though, refrigerated ketchup does not have stark advantages. The main components of ketchup – vinegar and tomato preserve the condiment at room temperature as they are naturally acidic. Non-refrigerated ketchup will not spoil and hence will not make you sick but you may witness a change in color due to oxidation, taste, and smell with time. Therefore, if you prefer your ketchup warm, you may very well go ahead and leave it on the shelf. Although make sure to use it up before it gets a scent or a color change.  But if you like your ketchup exactly how it tasted and looked when you bought it from the store, pop it up in the refrigerator!