Tomato sauce is something we all probably have in our cupboards, and there are so many brand options to choose from.
Aside from the big names like Heinz, most supermarkets also offer their own-brand versions that are usually a significantly cheaper option - ideal for anyone feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis.
So to help people identify which brand was the best, Lynette Pinchess from Nottinghamshire Live carried out a blind taste test, judging each of the sauces based on flavour and value for money.
And one of them was a 'clear winner', according to the journalist.
After failing to get her hands on the own-brand ketchup from Asda or Lidl, Lynette gathered together sauces from Heinz, Aldi, Co-Op and Tesco to determine once and for all which brand was best.
Aldi
The only ketchup available in this supermarket was the low salt and sugar version, and the journalist said she could tell "straight away" that it was different.
Lynette wrote: "A strange chemical-like taste, which could have been anything other than tomato. It might be healthier than 'normal' sauce but it should be charged with GBH on my taste buds.
"It's a big bottle too - the biggest of the five - so that is a disappointment. It's healthier with half the sugar and salt but I'd rather have no sauce on my chips than this one. I guess the standard one tastes better but sorry Aldi, I wouldn't buy this again, not even for the satisfying 'farty' noise it made when squirting.
Weight: 625g
Price: 89p
Star rating: 0/5 (no thank you)."
Sauce Shop
This company was created in Nottingham and has a store there, but delivers UK-wide and is available to purchase from Asda.
Lynette wrote: "I can instantly tell by the texture that it's different to the supermarket sauces. They're super smooth, whereas this has a thicker consistency. It tastes nothing like the others - it's bursting with flavour and a proper 'adult' sauce.
"But at £2.75, the award-winning sauce is likely to be beyond the reach of struggling households - and I'm not sure whether kids would take to the texture. Because it's in a glass bottle it's harder to control the amount coming out so you're likely to end up with more than you need. If you can afford it, try it - you won't be disappointed by the taste.
Weight: 260g
Price: £.2.75 (in Asda), £2.99 (on Sauce Shop's website).
Star rating: 4/5 (delicious but pricy)."
Tesco
This option fared slightly better than Aldi, according to Lynette.
She said: "The seal was easier to open compared to some of the others thanks to the handy little tag. However, it did feel rather judgmental, saying the bottle contained approximately 37 servings. Who are you to say how big my dollop should be?
"The taste is quite pleasant and seems sweeter than some of the others which is strange as the sugar and salt content is actually lower than the other brands. I'd happily buy it for the price.
Weight: 555g
Price: £1
Star rating: 3/5 (not bad for the price)."
Heinz
Unsurprisingly, this big name brand cost significantly more than the other options.
Lynette wrote: "I nearly had palpitations when I saw that a 910g bottle costs £4.50. Asda's own make of ketchup is out of stock (no wonder) so I go for the smallest bottle of Heinz I can find at £2.30.
"My dad, who also loved his condiments, would be turning in his grave at these prices. A rich tomato flavour but just like Heinz's baked beans there's no no standout factor that justifies the price. And because of that it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Weight: 250g
Price: £2.30
Star rating: 2/5 (although the taste is ok the low score is for the smallest bottle at a big price)."
Co-op
Finally, Lynette put Co-op's ketchup to the taste, and it came out triumphant to all the others.
She said: "I don't normally shop at the Co-op except for an emergency bottle of milk (wine) because it seems more expensive. If you don't believe me check out this year's Which? survey where it comes bottom of the list of supermarkets, offering worst value for money as well as poor ratings for stock availability, product range and quality.
"But my luck was in when it came to ketchup - there is plenty on the shelf. It's a nightmare getting the seal off (resorting to a knife) but it's worth it. A lovely tomatoey tang, I'd dip my chips in it any day. A big bottle and not too expensive, so it's a good compromise for ketchup lovers. The winner.
Price: £1.20
Weight: 550g
Star rating: 5/5 (a good balance on taste and price)."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.
