The Great Ketchup Debate: To Refrigerate or Not to Refrigerate?

It can be really confusing to walk through the aisles of our favorite grocery shop and figure out what food items require refrigeration and what doesn’t.

It is reasonable to believe that if a product isn’t refrigerated in stores, it also doesn’t need to be at home. That isn’t always the case, though.

A modest word in fine type can be found on the labels of many products on grocery store shelves if we look closely: “refrigerate after opening.” Sadly, not everyone takes note of this small directive, and even those who do sometimes decide to disregard it. Ketchup is an excellent illustration of this.

The popular ketchup brand, Heinz, actually advises chilling their product as soon as you bring it inside. You may be asking yourself, “But why does ketchup need to be refrigerated when I see bottles of it sitting on the store shelves?” Heinz wants you to know that it’s all for the best, though.

This ketchup conundrum intrigued me, so I decided to look into it directly. I grabbed a bottle of Heinz ketchup from my own kitchen and read the label carefully. And there it was—the warning to “For best results, refrigerate after opening”—subtly printed in small text on the label on the reverse. Thus, the recommendation is clear: refrigeration is advised.

Were you aware that Heinz addressed this issue on Twitter as well? The message on their short tweet said, “FYI: Ketchup goes in the fridge!!!” This tweet grabbed the attention of people all over social media and started a heated debate among ketchup lovers.

Heinz even went so far as to survey people about how they keep their ketchup in storage at home. The outcomes were really intriguing. Of all the people who use ketchup, 36.8% keep it in a cabinet and 63.2% keep it in the refrigerator.

It’s intriguing to learn the motivations behind some people’s decisions to disregard refrigeration recommendations. They contend that ketchup tastes good even when kept at room temperature and that it doesn’t spoil readily. The good news is that you can keep your ketchup fresher for longer by refrigerating it, which will increase its shelf life.

Thus, keep in mind what Heinz suggests if you’re still not sure if you should refrigerate your ketchup. And why not follow the rest of us and store that bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator, nice and cold? It’s a simple method to guarantee that your favorite condiment remains flavorful and fresh.

It’s your time to comment on the ketchup controversy now! Which is better for storing ketchup—in a cupboard or the refrigerator? Let’s continue the conversation and hear about your ketchup preferences!

My Wedding Planner Said I Canceled My Own Wedding but I Didn’t – The Truth Left Me Speechless

My Wedding Planner Said I Canceled My Own Wedding but I Didn’t – The Truth Left Me Speechless

Chelsea is all set to marry Rasmus, the man of her dreams. But when the wedding day arrives and no guests show up, Chelsea has to figure out who canceled her wedding and whether her groom is right for her or not.

A coffee bar and bakery | Source: Pexels

A coffee bar and bakery | Source: Pexels

I’ve always wanted that ‘Happily Ever After’ kind of romantic life. So, when I met Rasmus, I thought I had finally gotten it. But as my wedding day began to unravel, it seemed I had gotten the nightmare version instead.

Rasmus and I met at a bakery. It was a sweet little meet-cute situation — where I was convinced he was the perfect person for me. We exchanged numbers over rye bread.

“I’ll be seeing you around, Chelsea,” he said, holding onto a loaf of artisanal bread.

He called me just as he left the bakery, wanting us to have dinner that night.

Two short years later, we were waking up to our wedding day.

That morning, I showered early, eagerly awaiting my hair and makeup appointments. I remember sitting at the edge of the hotel bed, looking at my dress and holding my breath.

I couldn’t wait to marry Rasmus. I couldn’t wait to begin our lives together.

A person pouring wine at a restaurant | Source: Pexels

A person pouring wine at a restaurant | Source: Pexels

So, the day went on — my maid of honor, my sister Jess, was with me, and we continued to get ready.

“Where’s Mom?” Jess asked. “Shouldn’t she be getting dressed with us?”

“No, we decided it would be best for her and Dad to meet us at the venue. You know she doesn’t get along with Rasmus.”

Jess shook her head.

“You’d think that Mom would have sorted out her feelings by now.”

It was true, my parents loved me — but they just couldn’t see Rasmus and me together.

Bride getting her makeup done | Source: Unsplash

Bride getting her makeup done | Source: Unsplash

“There’s just something off about him,” my father would say. “But we respect your wishes to marry him.”

Closer to the time, Jess called for the hotel car, and we made our way to the wedding venue.

“Where is everyone?” Jess asked, echoing my thoughts.

It was an entire wedding venue with literally not a soul in sight. There was no welcome sign for the guests, no welcome drinks, no décor, no staff, and absolutely no guests.

Not even Rasmus.

“Get Brenda on the phone,” I said, talking about my wedding planner.

An empty wedding venue | Source: Pexels

An empty wedding venue | Source: Pexels

I was beginning to panic. I was all dressed and ready to go. It was supposed to be my special day.

“Brenda, where is everyone?” I asked when Jess handed me the phone.

“What do you mean?” Brenda’s calm voice came through the speaker.

“I’m at my wedding venue, and there’s nobody here!” I exclaimed, the panic evident in my voice.

“Chelsea, honey,” Brenda said. “The wedding was canceled. The directive came through your email address just three days ago.”

My heart almost stopped beating.

A person using a laptop | Source: Pexels

A person using a laptop | Source: Pexels

How could I have canceled my own wedding? I went through my emails, and sure enough, there it was.

Dear Brenda,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the wedding is off. Please notify all the guests and the vendors.

But it made no sense. It was from my corporate account — an account that my family had access to because we all worked at the family business together.

My mind raced — did Mom and Dad? Could they really…? No, they couldn’t have.

They always said that it was my life and my choices. Even if they didn’t approve of Rasmus, they wouldn’t hurt me like this.

I needed to hear it from them.

An older couple holding white ceramic mugs | Source: Pexels

An older couple holding white ceramic mugs | Source: Pexels

But my parents were just as shocked as I was.

“We were on a flight, honey,” my father said. “I had a business meeting, and your mother tagged along with me. We had nothing to do with it. We did get the cancellation from Brenda and just wanted to give you your space.”

“I didn’t see any email,” Jess said. “But you know how bad I am at checking my mail.”

That’s when it hit me — the only other person who would have access to my email accounts, work and personal, was Rasmus.

The same man who was supposed to be waiting for me at the other end of the aisle.

I asked Jess to take me home, ready for answers. I needed to know what was happening and how it all unfolded without my knowledge.

A man with a gray t-shirt and arms crossed | Source: Unsplash

A man with a gray t-shirt and arms crossed | Source: Unsplash

I walked into our little apartment, and there he was. Rasmus, sitting on the couch eating a bowl of cereal. He had no intention of leaving the house because he was in his sweatpants, wearing glasses, and his hair was wavy.

His usual armor of being well-dressed, contacts in, and hair swept into his signature hairstyle was all missing.

A bowl of cereal | Source: Pexels

A bowl of cereal | Source: Pexels

“You canceled our wedding?” I asked before he could say anything.

Rasmus didn’t even try to hide it. He had canceled the wedding because, three days ago, he realized that as much as he loved me, he wasn’t ready for marriage.

So, he panicked.

“I didn’t have the courage to tell you,” he said. “I figured that you’d think the wedding was on, and then when the slip-up happened, you would want to investigate it. I thought it would take the heat off me.”

As I stood there, my wedding day in ruins around me, I realized that my parents were right. Rasmus wasn’t the person for me. And as much as it hurt, a part of me was relieved he did it.

So, here I am, looking at my wedding dress and wondering what to do with it.

A woman holding her head | Source: Unsplash

A woman holding her head | Source: Unsplash

What would you have done?

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