Would you try a Heinz tomato ketchup truffle?

Is chocolate and ketchup a step too far? 

Have you ever thought of combining chocolate and tomato ketchup?

Heinz’s latest foray into ketchup recipe hybrids is in partnership with Fortnum & Mason’s confectioners.

The historic department store and food hall became Heinz’s first UK stockist in 1886, and they’ve already launched Ketchup Caviar together, so you can see where they’re coming from with this Valentine’s collaboration.

Alexandra Bayet, sauces marketing manager at Heinz, says: “Ketchup and chocolate are two of the nation’s most loved foods, and we felt it was only right that on the international day of love we combine these two ingredients, resulting in mouth-watering truffles that are set to delight ketchup and chocolate lovers across the country.”

But are ‘mouth-watering’ and ‘delight’ suitable descriptions…

How do they look?

Snug in a heart-shaped box – printed with the words: ‘Love at first bite’ – ostensibly, they look very much like truffles. There’s dark, white and milk chocolate spheres to choose from, each daubed with a little glittery pink food gloss. They also smell of chocolate – no ketchupy twang.

How do they taste?

The chocolate shells are filled with a thick orange goo just a squirt of ketchup. It’s creamy and very sweet, but not all that tomatoey. In fact, it’s only the aftertaste that carries the umami tang of proper red sauce. And the chocolate itself is decent.

Truffles are meant to be indulgent, decadent, comforting – not a minor culinary ordeal. But if you’re one of those people who put ketchup on everything, would you try one?

What are your views?  Would you be happy to sample one? Would you welcome a box on Valentine’s Day? Or does the very thought of them turn your stomach?