Banana Ketchup: Origins, Nutrition, and How It’s Made

Traditional tomato ketchup has become popular; some people can't imagine having favorite foods without it. As an alternative, a Filipino food chemist came up with banana ketchup. You might ask, what does it taste like? Is it better in any way than tomato ketchup?

Read on to learn more about the origins of banana ketchup, its nutritional value, and how you can make it at home, along with some additional tips from dietitians and nutritionists.

The origins of banana ketchup

Banana ketchup was first developed in the Philippines, with experimentation likely beginning in the 1930s, but it gained popularity during World War II in the 1940s. A food technologist named Teresa "Tess" Roxas is commonly credited with popularizing the recipe, though María Y. Orosa made significant contributions to Filipino food science by creating substitutes for imported foods. The natural color of banana ketchup is brownish-yellow, but it’s often dyed red with food coloring to resemble tomato ketchup.

Banana ketchup has an interesting history related to World War II. During the war, a shortage of tomatoes in the Philippines led to the increased use of banana ketchup as an alternative. This innovation addressed the tomato shortage and became a staple in Filipino cooking, used in dishes like Filipino spaghetti, omelets, and grilled meats.

How banana ketchup gained international popularity

Banana ketchup’s popularity in the Philippines has helped it reach international markets as interest in Filipino cuisine grows. It is often advertised as a "healthier" choice than traditional tomato ketchup, as it’s believed to have fewer potential artificial additives and preservatives.

A recent market research report shows that the global banana ketchup market, worth $1 billion in 2023, is expected to reach $2 billion by 2033, growing at a rate of 7.4%. Europe currently holds the largest share, representing 40.2% of the market.

You’ll also come across many videos on social media showing people using banana ketchup in their favorite recipes instead of traditional tomato ketchup, which has also gained attention worldwide.

How is banana ketchup made?

Most Filipino dishes are meant to be a little sweeter, even when they are savory. You can make banana ketchup at home with a few spices, such as mashed bananas, vinegar, and brown sugar. Here's the banana ketchup recipe:

1. Chop garlic, onions, and bananas for blending.
2. Blend garlic, onions, bananas, brown sugar, salt, cloves, paprika, and cayenne until smooth and creamy. These spices are just suggestions. You can choose your preferred spices that match your taste buds. Add water if needed.
3. Transfer the final sauce to a pot over medium heat until the sauce boils. Then let it simmer for 10–15 minutes.
4. Place the sauce in a bowl. Pour the ketchup through a filter to achieve a smooth texture, removing any lumps or solid bits. You can also add natural red food coloring at the end to make it resemble traditional tomato ketchup.
5. Allow the banana ketchup to cool before serving.

Is banana ketchup a healthier alternative to tomato ketchup?

Banana ketchup can be a tasty alternative to traditional ketchup, but its healthiness depends on the specific brand, ingredients, and how much you’re using, explains Kristen Lorenz, a nutrition expert and a registered dietitian.

A typical serving may contain calories primarily from added sugars and small amounts of natural sugars from the bananas. Since bananas contain potassium and some fiber, banana ketchup may offer these nutrients in small quantities, which traditional tomato ketchup typically doesn’t have.

Kristen Lorenz

Elizabeth Brown, a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and certified chef at Kitchen Vixen spoke to WellnessPulse about using banana ketchup as an alternative to tomato ketchup.

Commercial banana ketchup has no fewer calories than tomato ketchup. If commercial bottles indicate otherwise, it is likely because the first ingredient is banana puree, made from bananas plus citric acid added as an anti-browning agent.

Elizabeth Brown

Food's nutritional quality and health benefits can change due to processing, as per a 2022 study published in the Journal of Food Chemistry. That means the processing of bananas for ketchup may change their nutritional value, leading to the loss of some vitamins and other compounds naturally present in bananas. However, they are more heat stable in terms of minerals, so there is a greater chance that banana ketchup may have more minerals, such as potassium, than tomato ketchup.

What to watch out for

The USDA has strict guidelines for using artificial colorings and other additives in commercial food products. When choosing a commercial banana ketchup, check the ingredients, especially for high sodium and added sugars.

• Food additives or colorings. Dietitian Brown notes that aside from a side-by-side nutritional comparison when looking at the ingredient labels of most commercial tomato ketchup versus commercial banana ketchup, some banana ketchup contains benzoate, a food preservative, and chemical dyes such as FD&C Yellow #6 and Red #40. Those allergic to specific food colors or preservatives may develop hypersensitivity reactions to these additives.
• High sodium content. Banana ketchup tends to be higher in sodium content, which is something to consider for anyone with a risk of high blood pressure, heart, or kidney problems. Frequent higher consumption of such ketchup may lead to increased sodium intake. However, it is worth noting, that usually ketchup is consumed in minimal amounts, so its contribution to overall sodium intake may be minimal for most people.
• Added sugars. Banana ketchup might still contain higher amounts of added sugars, which is something to consider for those who limit their daily added sugar intake. So, moderation is the key.

It’s essential to read labels when buying banana ketchup from stores. The healthier choice is one with natural ingredients, lower added sugars, and minimal artificial additives.

Where can you buy banana ketchup?

You can find banana ketchup in U.S. grocery stores, especially those focusing on international or Filipino foods. You can also search for it on online stores that can ship to your location or offer pickup services. If you have a local Filipino grocery store or an international food market nearby, they are likely to carry banana ketchup, given its popularity in Filipino cuisine.

Final word

Banana ketchup can be an alternative to tomato sauce that tends to be a little sweeter than traditional tomato ketchup. However, whether it is better or not than regular ketchup depends on may factors. Each brand has its own ingredients, and you might want to try out which has the most suitable ingredients for your needs. Lastly, it is important to have banana ketchup in moderation, as with any other sauce. It is important to remember that commercially made banana ketchup may be higher in sodium and added sugar.