Banana ketchup facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Banana sauce |
|---|---|
| Type | Condiment |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Associated national cuisine | Philippines |
| Created by | Maria Y. Orosa |
| Main ingredients | Banana |
Banana ketchup (also called banana sauce) is a popular Filipino fruit ketchup. It is made from bananas, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Its natural color is brownish-yellow. However, it is often dyed red. This makes it look more like tomato ketchup. Banana ketchup was first made in the Philippines during World War II. This was because there was not enough tomato ketchup. But there were many bananas available.
What is Banana Ketchup?
Banana ketchup is a sweet and tangy sauce. It is a special type of condiment. People use it to add flavor to their food. It tastes a bit different from regular tomato ketchup. It has a unique fruity taste from the bananas.
How People Use It
In Filipino homes, banana ketchup is used with many different meals. It is often put on Filipino spaghetti. People also enjoy it with omelettes (called torta). It is a favorite topping for hot dogs and hamburgers. You can also find it served with french fries. Many people use it with fish and grilled meats. This includes pork barbecue and chicken skewers. It is also popular with fried chicken.
The History of Banana Ketchup
A Filipina food scientist named Maria Y. Orosa (1892–1945) is known for inventing this product. She was a very important person in Filipino food science.
In 1942, banana ketchup began to be made in large amounts. A man named Magdalo V. Francisco Sr. started this. He created the brand name Mafran. This name comes from parts of his first and last names. He registered his brand with the government. Later, Francisco got help from Tirso T. Reyes to grow his business. Together, they formed the Universal Food Corporation (UFC) in 1960. UFC became a very well-known company for food products.
