I’m one of Matt’s readers that missed the “the definitive article on ketchup” - but now I’ve read it I have to say “wow” - it really is worth reading.
Some thoughts:
- As a former Undergraduate Adviser once charged with ’selling poli sci’ to prospective majors, I have to point out that “[t]he world’s leading expert on ketchup’s early years is Andrew F. Smith… a scholar, trained as a political scientist, intent on bringing rigor to the world of food.” See, political science is a very diverse major (with few jobs) that trains people for all sorts of future employment. Becoming a leading expert in ketchup is yet another example of employment that people with political science degrees get….
- I kind of got the joke of the “Ketchup Advisory Board” ketchup commercials on Prairie Home Companion before reading the article - but it was more subconscious recognition of the absurdity than something well thought out. Now that I’ve been told there’s really only one brand, and only a couple significant pretenders, I get the joke better.
- One big take-away from the article is that ketchup features may be non-transferable. Heinz Ketchup controls the market and the article says the following:
“ketchup may well be ‘the only true culinary expression of the melting pot, and… it [has a] special and unprecedented ability to provide something for everyone….’ Henry Heinz…was the one who changed the flavor of ketchup in a way that made it universal.”
John Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz, who assisted him in his 2004 presidential campaign.
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