Should ketchup be kept in the cupboard or in the fridge?
It’s a question we’ve all heard before, and at this point, in 2023, it’s an answer that we just can’t seem to agree or see eye-to-eye on, no matter how hard we try to come to a decision.
The debate has generated opinion from pretty much everyone who’s ever tasted the classic condiment, but now, Heinz has finally decided to weigh in and end the conversation once and for all, reports The Manc.
The manufacturer's iconic red sauce with an "unmistakeable taste" and "unique flavour" has been a staple in UK households since it was first introduced all the way back in 1886, but while millions of Brits will find common ground in the fact they probably have a bottle or two at home, where they choose to keep it, however, isn't the same across the board.
Heinz has finally settled the 'fridge v cupboard' ketchup debate / Credit: Heinz UK | Jacob Rice (via Unsplash)
Heinz knows this all too well.
But despite the debate raging on for decades, the company has kept pretty tight-lipped on its stance... until only recently.
Choosing to weigh in on X, formerly known as Twitter, the manufacturer first dropped the bombshell that "ketchup goes in the fridge", before going on to reply to shocked fans and ask people to give their opinions on an interactive poll.
The results of Heinz's poll revealed that 63% of respondents agreed the condiment should be stored in the fridge, while just over 36% think it should live in the cupboard.
Northern Ireland is apparently "the worse cupboard offender in the UK", according to Heinz, with 58% of the responding population choosing to keep their ketchup bottles behind room-temperature doors, while the Welsh capital of Cardiff, on the other hand, keep it in the fridge "where it belongs".
A third 'team cupboard' fighter wrote: "Take it back!!!!," while a fourth added: "Never, ever has it ever gone in my fridge, nor anybody elses," and another said: "Heinz don’t even know where their product should be stored."
While it does seem that lots of people disagree with Heinz, there was, of course, a good chunk of the hundreds of comments siding with the company.
Read more:
Regardless of Heinz's take though, the replies prove the debate will never end.
Farmer Copleys, which is behind the popular Tulip Festival attraction, has spoken out after the tragic death of a dog who visited last weekend.
The family-run farm has decided to ban dogs (with the exception of service dogs) from its site, after a visitor reported that her beloved springer spaniel Bobby had died just hours after attending the Tulip Festival.
It's believed that Bobby had eaten a tulip bulb or flower, which can be deadly to dogs.
Farmer Copleys has now shared a statement about the incident, writing that the team are 'deeply saddened' by the animal's death.
They stressed that while the exact cause of his death remains unknown, they 'do not wish to take any further risks' and will no longer be permitting dogs at the Tulip Festival.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously," Farmer Copleys wrote in a statement shared today.
Customers who are no longer able to attend since the change are welcome to get in touch with the farm directly to discuss a refund.
And assistance dogs are still welcome, but owners will need to sign a disclaimer before taking them into the Tulip Festival.
Farmer Copleys tulip festival is one of the most popular events in Yorkshire every springDogs will no longer be allowed at the Tulip Festival
Farmer Copleys wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the recent incident involving a visitor’s dog following a visit to our Tulip Festival, and our thoughts remain with the owner at this difficult time.
"We must stress while the exact cause of this incident remains unknown, many flowers and plants in outdoor environments can pose risks to dogs if ingested, particularly the bulb, and we do not wish to take any further risk.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously. As a precautionary measure, we have made the difficult decision to no longer permit dogs at our Tulip Festival for the remainder of the season.
"In addition, this has further reinforced our decision to close the pick your own area for the remainder of the festival.
"We understand this may be disappointing for some visitors. Any customers who have booked and are now unable to attend due to this change are welcome to contact us regarding a refund at info@farmercopleys.co.uk.
"We are undertaking a full investigation and make a decision on 2027’s season in due course."
Posh bakery chain Gail’s is finally coming to Yorkshire
Daisy Jackson
Gail's has finally set its sights on Yorkshire for the first time, with a new bakery set to open this year.
It's one of the UK's most famous bakeries, launching in London in the early 1990s to supply restaurants, before opening its first retail site and cafe in Hampstead in 2005.
Gail's founders set out on a mission to bake bread as it used to be baked: by hand, using quality ingredients and time-worn artisanal methods.
While Gail's has expanded aggressively into the north, opening around a dozen bakeries in Greater Manchester and its surrounds, it hasn't made the journey across to Yorkshire just yet.
All that looks set to change, with job ads now listed for roles within a brand-new Yorkshire branch of Gail's.
Based on the job advert, Gail's is heading straight to the spa town of Harrogate - which is a fairly predictable move.
It looks like Gail's is heading for HarrogateGail's will make its Yorkshire debut
It had previously been reported that Gail's would be going to Knaresborough, but the job posting appears to hint that Harrogate will be the first Yorkshire location.
When it does open, you'll find loaf choices including classic white and brown sourdough, Gail’s ‘wasteless’ loaves (made using a specially-created recipe designed to incorporate unsold bread crumbs), alongside seeded varieties, baguettes and batons.
Must-tries include Gail’s famous cinnamon buns, still-warm cheese and ham croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and – given the weather we’re having this week – iced coffees, all day long preferably please.
But given the number of fantastic local bakeries all over Yorkshire, the question is, does anyone want Gail's?