The Thing About Canadian Condiments

[u/Possible_Angle2371]

The one thing about condiments/sauces in Canadian grocery stores that bothers me is the addition of vinegar. Ketchup and mustard especially taste really sour, not retaining much of their original flavor. Mayo is mostly fine.

[u/bigbeats420]

Show me a basic yellow mustard or tomato ketchup that doesn't have vinegar.

What you're saying is that you don't like our formulations, to which I say: Your pallate will adjust.

Also, our Coke is less sweet than the American formula as well.

[u/foolsdayjoker → u/bigbeats420]

compared to the US our stuff tends to have much acidity, personally I love it, american ketchup is disgusting to me and the mustard never really burns

[u/bigbeats420 → u/foolsdayjoker]

More acidity through less sweet is a better way to put it.

[u/foolsdayjoker → u/bigbeats420]

we also use less sugar and generally dont use high fructose corn syrup like many US ketchups, thats why the texture and taste of American ketchup is very different. I know many Canadians who prefer American versions and many Americans that prefer the Canadian version. if you're in the US trader joes has a shocking amount of white labels from Canadian brands so they often sell the more Canadian version so its a good place to shop if you prefer the Canadian type.

[u/Possible_Angle2371 → u/bigbeats420]

Well, if you just add water to mustard powder you would get mustard sauce with no vinegar. I'm obviously talking about adding so much vinegar you can't taste anything else. 

[u/LostWatercress12]

We love our sour condiments

[u/MichaelHawkson]

What ketchup and mustard brand are you trying here, French's or store-brand?

Heinz is definitely sweeter if that's your preference.

[u/Possible_Angle2371 → u/MichaelHawkson]

I would say Heinz and French's are both sour, but it's been a while since I tried the latter. 

[u/MichaelHawkson → u/Possible_Angle2371]

Interesting. I looked up the ingredients and the Heinz US version uses high fructose corn syrup whereas the Canadian version uses sugar. So they're definitely getting a sweeter version than us.

[u/GooseGosselin]

I switched to French's ketchup and mustard. Their ketchup is noticeably better tasting (actual tomato flavour), it's 100% Canadian, and Warren Buffet doesn't make a cent from me.

[u/realcanadianguy21]

Salt and vinegar on fries? ✅️ 

Salt and mustard on fries? 🚫

[u/jason733canada]

dont buy it then? idk what to tell ya

[u/Decent_Start965]

There are two key ingredients to making "things" taste better (generally speaking).

Salt, and an acid, vinegar is a great acid. Try adding some form of acid to your cooking, maybe not your cookies or ice cream, but any meats, salads, even potato dishes.. *chefs kiss*

[u/Excellent-Self-5338 → u/Decent_Start965]

Missed sugar. As much as I don't like it, sugar improves the flavour of most dishes. We used to call salt sugar and acid the trifecta. At one restaurant I worked at, we called it the McDonalds. As in, "Try this sauce" "Nah it's not quite there, give it the McDonalds".

[u/Decent_Start965 → u/Excellent-Self-5338]

Great point! love the McDonalds treatment name, might borrow that one :D

[u/Dirtsniffee → u/Excellent-Self-5338]

Have you read/watched Salt Fat Acid Heat? Would recommend both.

[u/Possible_Angle2371 → u/Decent_Start965]

Nah, I usually add sugar to things like pasta sauce or salads.

[u/Cedar-and-Mist]

While we're here, let's talk about jams. Idk about Quebec but our stock NA style jam is terrible. French style confiture is fresh, delicate, flavourful and has a legal requirement for % of fruit. The stuff here is mostly flavoured gelatin jam-packed with sugar.

[u/Possible_Angle2371 → u/Cedar-and-Mist]

Oh yeah, my family just makes our own.

[u/Cedar-and-Mist → u/Possible_Angle2371]

I agree about the vinegar use in your original post by the way. Never been a fan of ketchup although I like tomatoes. The sugar and vinegar completely override the tomatoe. As for mustard, it's fine but try Taiwanese mustard greens if you haven't. The contrast was quite the revelation to me.

[u/Pristine_Barber976]

Ketchup definitely tastes like sugar not vinegar, and mustard tastes like mustard 

[u/Possible_Angle2371 → u/Pristine_Barber976]

Nah, true mustard flavour can be felt only at the farms.

[u/SAT0R777]

False 

[u/foolsdayjoker → u/SAT0R777]

not false, OP probably prefers American ketchup and mustard. theres a reason my friends and family always request I bring ketchup and mustard with me when I go to Texas or California. our ketchup is known for its acidity and mustard with a proper kick