I know this is an old silly quesion but I am really curious.  What is
the difference between "fancy ketchup" and "ketchup or tomato
ketchup"?

Hi Smutzer!

There really isn't one!

Consider the ingredient list for Heinz 57 Tomato Ketchup (from the
label on the bottle in my fridge):

"Tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar,
high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder,
natural flavorings."

Now consider the ingredient list from the following "fancy" and
"tomato" variants of ketchup:

McDonald's Fancy Ketchup:

"Tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar,
high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt, natural
flavorings."

McDonald's Fancy Ketchup
http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/mcd_ketchup_new.jpg

Hunt's Fancy Ketchup:

"Concentrated tomato puree, high fructose corn syrup, distilled
vinegar, corn syrup, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, natural
flavorings"

Hunt's Fancy Ketchup
http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/hunts_tomatoes.jpg

Baker's Drive Thru Ketchup:

"Tomato puree, corn sweeteners, distilled vinegar, salt, spices and
onion powder"

Baker's Ketchup
http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/bakersketchup.jpg

Portion Pac Fancy Ketchup (we used to get this in the school
cafeteria!):

"Tomato paste, corn syrup, distilled vinegar,sugar, salt, onion,
garlic and natural flavorings."

PPI Fancy Ketchup
http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/ppi_fancyketchup.jpg

Although the formulations vary slightly in proportion and addition of
certain spices, all ketchup is essentially the same.  The California
Fruit Packing Company defines Fancy Ketchup as "Ketchup, Catsup" and
states:

"Fancy Ketchup is produced from mature, whole, red, vine-ripened
tomatoes, which are sorted, crushed, screened, and concentrated. Corn
Syrup, vinegar, salt and seasonings are added."

CALIFORNIA FRUIT PACKING CO. #10 CANNED PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
http://www.morningstarco.com/products/f_ketchup_33.htm

The Ketchup FAQ declares:

"Q: What's the difference between Ketchup and Catsup? And what is
Fancy Ketchup?

A:  Well, this one is up for debate. As far as I am concerned they are
the same thing."

The Ketchup FAQ
http://www.ketchup.wonderland.org/faq.html

Says one wag:

"FANCY KETCHUP. I saw this on a packet of ketchup. I mean, it's
[expletive elided] ketchup. How [expletive elided] fancy could it
possibly get? Especially when it comes out of a packet."

Suspicious Words and Phrases
http://mattferrara.diaryland.com/030226_2.html

It would appear that the use of "Fancy", as with many other packaging
notations, is merely a marketing ploy to try to convince the consumer
that one brand of seasoned tomato glop is better than another.

For more ketchup facts and trivia:

Planet Ketchup
http://www.ketchup.wonderland.org/

The Condiment Packet Museum
http://www.clearfour.com/condiment/ketchup1.html

Ketchup
http://www.foodreference.com/html/fketchup.html

The origin of "ketchup"?
http://www.foodvenue.com/content/tips/T010001_Ketchup.asp

Ketchup World
http://www.ketchupworld.com/

Hope this helps!

--Missy

Search terms: [ "fancy ketchup" ], [ "ketchup facts" ]

The research put to this question was far above what I expected for
the price I listed.  I am however only giving 4 stars as I reserve the
right to pout.  Whereas the answer was undoubtedly correct, I was
hoping for some frighteningly enlightening response that would shake
the fiber of my existence and potentially lead me to the meaning of
all things.  Thanks nonetheless...and GREAT JOB!

This is just a wild guess, but I would say "marketing?"

Don't be surprised when you see "Super Duper, New and Improved,
'Extra' Fancy Ketchup!" =)

The marketing of it isn't the end of the story. Here's a comparison:

Missy's US Heinz Ketchup      
 "Tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar,
 high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder,
 natural flavorings."

Joe's UK Heinz Ketchup
 "Tomatoes (126g per 100g Ketchup), Spirit Vinegar, Glucose Syrup,
Sugar, Salt, Spice and Herb Extracts, Spice, Garlic Powder"

Americans get onions, whereas we get garlic. There's something going
on here, and I think the public deserve an answer.

At risk of being branded a heretic, I prefer the curry ketchup I was
able to get at the Boulettentrude in Germany.

--Missy

I like nothing better than my homemade cranberry ketchup. Old Oklahoma
recipe. And it is so good that you can eat it all by itself.

Oklahoma Cranberry Ketchup

4 cups cranberries
2 large yellow onions, chopped
1/2 cup cheap white wine
1 cup V-8 Juice
3 cups sugar
1 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon powdered celery seed
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Boil cranberries and minced onions together with wine and V-8 Juice
until the berries pop. Allow mixture to cool slightly, then transfer
to blender or food processor and puree. Return the puree to saucepan
and stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer over low heat for about an
hour until thickened, stirring occasionally. Store in glass jars or
bottles. Keeps for a long time in the fridge, or practically forever
in the freezer.

Left a couple things out of that recipe. Forgot to mention stirring in
the spices (which is best done after the pureeing.) Also forgot to
mention that it's tasty to use brown sugar instead of white.

There's only one problem with cranberry ketchup.

It makes ya forgetful. ;-)

A very informative and well presented answer. Too bad the questioner
decided to play games with the rating. I would have given this five
stars without hesitation.