Banana ketchup, also known as banana sauce (in export markets), is a Philippine fruit ketchup condiment made from banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Its natural color is brownish-yellow but it is often dyed red to resemble tomato ketchup. Banana ketchup was first produced in the Philippines during World War II due to a wartime shortage of tomatoes but a comparatively high production of bananas.[1][2]

Banana ketchup
Banana ketchup from Pasig, Philippines, with plantain tostones
Alternative namesBanana sauce
TypeCondiment
Place of originPhilippines
Associated cuisinePhilippines
Created byMaria Y. Orosa
Main ingredientsBanana

Use edit

In Filipino households, this condiment is used on many dishes: Filipino spaghetti, omelettes (torta), hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, fish, charcoal-grilled pork barbecue, chicken skewers, fried chicken, and other meats.

History edit

Filipina food technologist Maria Y. Orosa (1892–1945) is credited with inventing the product.[3][4][5]

In 1942, banana ketchup was first mass-produced commercially by Magdalo V. Francisco Sr.[6] who founded the brand name Mafran (a portmanteau of his given name and surname)[7] which he registered with the Bureau of Patents.[citation needed] Francisco sought funding from Tirso T. Reyes to expand his business and therefore the Universal Food Corporation (UFC, now a brand under NutriAsia) was formed in 1969.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Food from The Philippines: Banana Ketchup". The Longest Way Home. November 24, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  2. ^ Jose, Ricardo (1998). KASAYSAYAN The Story of The Filipino People. Philippines: Asia Publishing Company Limited. ISBN 962-258-230-3.
  3. ^ National Historical Institute of the Philippines: MARIA Y. OROSA (1893–1945). Pioneering Food Technologist and Inventor Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Leonor Goguingco: "Maria Y. Orosa: In peace and war". Manila Bulletin, 2005. Online at the Internet Archive
  5. ^ Roces, Alejandro R. "Maria Ylagan Orosa". PhilStar. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  6. ^ Soken-Huberty, Emmaline (December 5, 2019). "Taste of the Philippines: The Banana Ketchup Story". Gildshire. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. ^ Batangas, Buhay. "Maria Orosa: the Taal-Born Scientist credited with the Invention of the Banana Ketchup". Buhay Batangas. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.