If you haven’t seen the Periodic Table of Condiments? It’s always interesting to see what subjects get people riled up and condiments is one of them. Not only are some people emotionally attached to their favorite condiments, there is significant debate over what is and what isn’t a condiment. Merriam-Webster’s definition for condiment is fairly lenient: “something used to enhance the flavor of food; especially : a pungent seasoning.” “The New Food Lover’s Companion’s” definition is a bit more restricting, or at least descriptive: “A savory, piquant, spicy or salty accompaniment to food, such as a relish, sauce, mixture of spices and so on. Ketchup and mustard are two of the most popular condiments.”
Sometimes, I need condiments to help cover the taste of a food I’m supposed to appreciate. Artichokes for instance. And recently, I watched a friend of mine eat peanut sauce with a spoon at a Vietnamese restaurant–definitely NOT proper condiment etiquette.
What do you think makes a condiment a condiment? Is guacamole a condiment? Saccharine? What about common cooking sauces like Bearnaise or pesto? Does a low-carb condiment defeat the whole purpose of condiments? Do condiments make you less manly?
My two favorite condiments are “fry sauce” (two parts mayonnaise, one part ketchup) and Smuckers’ Chocolate Fudge Magic Shell. In fact, I should get one of these to dispense my Magic Shell. What would be perfect is if I could get the pump with an add-on to take care of that whole “shake for 60 seconds” part?
My least favorite condiment is straight ketchup. Just the smell makes me cringe.
What condiment do you love or hate?
Note: Periodic Table of Condiments found at Condiment Girl but also seen at BoingBoing and many other places.
8 users commented in " What’s Your Favorite Condiment? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI think of condiments as anything added by the end user to customize the flavor of something. If the chef puts chili paste in a dish, it’s not a condiment –if I put it on later it is. I think very few dishes can’t be improved by a little heat, so most of my faves do that. I love the Thai restaurants that give you a dish with several dry spices and another with several sauces. I have no least favorite condiment, since if I don’t like it I’ll not put it on; then by my definition it won’t be a condiment
Low-carb condiment? Mayo. And there are plenty of varieties of mayo that are still low-carb and have a lot of flavor. One of my favorties is the Wasabi Mayonnaise available at Trader Joe’s. It’s excellent in stuffed eggs.
I have to agree that Magic Shell is wonderful. When does it stop being a condiment and start being a staple? What I want to know is why doesn’t in come in gallons. It would be best if we could just truck it in and fill up some giant tanks. Maybe we could use cement trucks to stir it for 60 seconds.
Yes fry sauce is totally awesome (does anyone remember Arctic Circle, the old burger joint where you could get fry sauce), but A-1 Steak Sauce is the king o kondiments. My son calls it “Jesus Sweat” because it is just that perfect.
Is Caesar dressing a condiment? I put it on just about everything.
There’s only one condiment that can cut the mustard
[…] you seen the Periodic Table of Condiments? I found it here but it looks like it’s been around for a […]
So Chefs Aki Kamozawa and H. Alexander Talbot think they have the best condiment ever: Curry Leaves, Tequila and Golden Raisins!
http://www.ideasinfood.com/ideas_in_food/2008/04/curry-leaves-tequila-and-golden-raisins.html
Thoughts?
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