Heinz Releases Tomato Ketchup Blended With Balsamic Vinegar, First New Ketchup Flavor In A Decade

First, Heinz revamped its ketchup packets. Now, it is launching a new ketchup variety that blends its omnipresent classic tomato ketchup with balsamic vinegar. This is the first new Heinz ketchup flavor variation in nearly a decade (remember the green and purple ketchup disasters of the early 2000s?).

The company has no plans to advertise the ketchup and are banking on the power of social media to get the word out (newspaper articles probably don't hurt either). The balsamic vinegar ketchup (the classic version is made with white vinegar) will be available for purchase exclusively through the Heinz Ketchup Facebook page starting on November 14. Starting December 2011, the ketchup will be available in select retailers including Walmart and Safeway for a suggested retail price of $2.49.

The Telegraph found the ketchup "genuinely sophisticated" with "a depth to it."

HuffPost Food got our hands on a early bottle and we have to admit it's pretty good. It's quite a bit tangier than normal Heinz, with a more pronounced umami-based complexity. The addition of the balsamic vinegar tweaks the flavor in interesting ways without throwing the ketchup's flavor off balance. The color is much darker and browner than you expect from a ketchup, which could be off-putting to some. But as far as we're concerned, it's one of the best commercial ketchups out there -- and, having helped KitchenDaily with its recent ketchup taste test, we've more or less tried them all.

Here's a picture of the ketchup bottle:

Comments

[LeRoys]

06:48 PM on 11/02/2011

Try LeRoys Gourmet Flavored Ketchup! 5 flavors, Beer, Chili, Dill, Smokey and Mustard!
Leroysketchup.com

[hplhenry]

02:38 AM on 10/31/2011

Look frward to trying the new flavor. That new design for the packets looks like a good idea if it works. Are they out there yet? Haven't seen them but I don't eat a lot of fast food.

[AngusC]

02:06 AM on 10/30/2011

Sounds good, I definitely can't wait to try it.

[megabob]

02:14 PM on 10/29/2011

Boycott Heinz! It only makes John Kerry richer, it is owned by his wife. Kerry is the dem. senator that slurred 'Nam vets!

[kareemachan]

02:35 PM on 10/29/2011

Oh bob, you swiftboater you.

Get a grip.

[AngusC]

02:06 AM on 10/30/2011

In that case I am going to go out and two bottles plus a bottle of Heinz 57.

[InABox]

03:18 PM on 10/28/2011

My use for ketchup is limited, but I might try this.

[Marcia75]

02:17 PM on 10/28/2011

I already mix my ketchup on my plate with Tapatio Chili Lime, or Red Hot.

I bet this is good.

[hattie54]

02:47 PM on 10/28/2011

I should try that with lime flavored hot sauce.

[madcityy]

02:15 PM on 10/28/2011

IT MIGHT WORK........................

[yayahootiewhoogm]

01:58 PM on 10/28/2011

Heins is my favorite ketsup. I bet this will be great on fish and chips!

[rpcinc]

01:55 PM on 10/28/2011

hate it!

[NinjaofSin]

01:54 PM on 10/28/2011

Wish they'd bring back the garlic ketchup. That was good with fries.

[hattie54]

03:36 PM on 10/28/2011

The garlic A-1 is good but spicy.I mix it up with regular old ketscup.

[kaisrolls]

01:30 PM on 10/28/2011

I am pleased that Heinz has come out with this ketchup. Why? I make my own BBQ sauce, with some store-bought sauce mixed with garlic powder, basil leaves, black pepper, honey, ketchup, and balsamic vinegar.
This product will save me space in the fridge; and one less container to unscrew and take up space on my counter.
HOORAY! for Heinz. I'm sending two swift boats out to make a run to the port grocery store.
Just kidding...

[wenonahvortex]

01:09 PM on 10/28/2011

Didn't their Spicy Ketchup count as a new flavor?? It was wonderful. Then Heinz decided to repackage it and we never saw it again. BRING BACK THE SPICY!

[sstuczynsk]

12:42 PM on 10/28/2011

And where will they manufacture this now product since most of their products are made over seas. I will not buy it until all products are made in the USA.

[kaisrolls]

01:32 PM on 10/28/2011

I can sympathise with you, but please, don't hold your breath 'till you burst, o.k.?

[yayahootiewhoogm]

02:00 PM on 10/28/2011

Get the Unions out of here and we could get more companys to move back!

[DandaPanda]

02:29 PM on 10/28/2011

cut the huge corporate tax breaks for outsourcing and we would get good jobs back here

[herbkornfeld]

11:42 PM on 10/28/2011

You have drunk the corporate Kool-Aid: You now cheer the oppressors as heroes and decry the oppressed as villains.

Wake up.

[fpwillson]

12:32 PM on 10/28/2011

"...First New Ketchup Flavor In A Decade ..."
NOT true at all. Last year (or maybe the year before) they came out with a low sugar version for those on the Atkins (and similiar) diets. It tastes decidedly different (but not bad).

[jacmed]

12:22 PM on 10/28/2011

Sounds like it's worth a try, anyway! Yes, I know I could just mix balsamic vinegar with the Heinz ketchup in my fridge, but maybe they've tweaked the rest of the ingredients, too. So, I'm gonna go for it, at least once. Then, if I like it, I'll buy a few bottles to keep on hand in case the "limited" becomes truly that -- limited to a one-off because the marketplace didn't accept it! That's what I did with Pepsi Throwback and there I got lucky -- it's no longer limited and is in the soda pop aisle right along with all the others.