From fries to nuggets, and pizza to any other sort of fast food item, different types of sauces are either the main ingredients of the recipes, or they accompany these delicacies for a better and delightful taste. Tomato sauce and ketchup happen to be the popular choice among them.
Despite the wide use of tomato ketchup and tomato sauce, it is considered by many people that these two items are almost the same. But this concept is as real as the reality of Disney characters. If you are a fan of fast foods, then you can easily describe the actual difference. The preference of different people between these two items is the main point of difference. If these two are the same then why do some people prefer ketchup over sauce or opposite to it?
In order to clear your confusion about these two items, the following is the list of differences between these two. This will help you to better understand the differences and select the one that suits you.
Origin
Ketchup was derived from a Chinese word that means fermented fish. It is considered that ketchup was first made in the United States. But this is not true, as the ancestors of modern-day ketchup have roots in China, and you know what at that time ketchup was made without tomatoes.
It was only made with brine fish, meat pieces, and beans. In 1812, tomato ketchup was first introduced in America. So, tomato ketchup has its origin in the United States, not the ketchup only. Nowadays, tomato ketchup has gained so much popularity that no one can even think that ketchup could be without tomatoes.
The sauce is derived from a Latin word meaning salted. It has a deep history, as it was present in the 3rd century BC. Until the 18th century, it remained associated with all types of sauces that are made by using vinegar. Only in the 20th century tomato juice was used to make the sauce and referred to as tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Tomato ketchup was originally made from diced tomatoes; it has a sweet taste due to the presence of corn syrup or cane sugar in it. Vinegar is also an important component of ketchup. A little bit of spices can also be added to it.
Tomato sauce is made from tomatoes or their juice, oils, and spices. Meat pieces or fermented fish can also be added. The thing to remember is that no type of vinegar or acetic acid is used in it. The amount of spices is higher than that of ketchup.
Color and Texture
The color of ketchup is dark red due to the presence of tomatoes in high amounts and the texture is thick and smooth.
The color of tomato sauce is relatively bright red. Its texture is typically smooth and less thick as compared to ketchup. But it might be of different viscosities depending upon the purpose of its use. Smoothness might also be less due to the presence of spices.
Nature
It is believed that ketchup is also a sauce by nature depending upon the history of the word ketchup. It is cold in nature and kept in a refrigerator or at a low temperature. It is always served cold. On the other hand, sauce is hot in nature, and it is mostly served hot.
Taste and Use
The taste of ketchup is sweet and tangy. It is due to the presence of citric acid and cane sugar. On the other hand, tomato sauce might be sweet or spicy. It depends upon the spices added to it.
Ketchup is mostly served as a dipping sauce with many food items. It is also used in making some other types of sauces. The sauce is basically used as a medium to cook different things.
Price
The price of the tomato ketchup is relatively higher than that of sauce. You can buy ketchup online from any online store at the price that is fixed by the company.
There you have it! Now you can easily tell the difference between tomato ketchup and sauce and can choose your preferred one.
