Talk:Condiment

Definition
What the heck IS a condiment? This "article" is but a list and thus does not meet encyclopedia standards. 145.254.158.60 01:58, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

The definition contradicts itself! "the term condiment has broadened and now is generally considered to be any prepared edible substance or mixture, often preserved or fermented (always a liquid), that is added in relatively small quantities, most often at the table, to make food more suitable to the diner's taste."

Then...

"Condiments may be dry, such as a mixture of herbs and seasonings or Parmesan cheese..."

Huh? --Pellet (talk) 09:32, 1 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Yeah, it made no sense at all. I've rewritten it quite heavily. Lots of room for improvement though. DWaterson (talk) 23:52, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

The broad definition of a condiment is "something used to enhance the flavor of food", which is quite contrary to how this article is written. If such definition is followed, then salt would be a condiment. GrayFullbuster (talk) 02:58, 23 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Agree on salt. See http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/condiment .  Logical Cowboy (talk) 03:00, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

There is a huge difference between seasonings, spreads, dips, and condiments. You dont see food products like cinnamon or thyme listed as a condiments, that is because they are seasonings/spices/herbs. Salt is simply a popular spice. User:Titan operator —Preceding undated comment added 03:26, 23 October 2011 (UTC).
 * Even if there is a huge difference, it would not matter much. This is not a food encyclopedia anyway, what matters is we give the general definition and perspective, so there's no point in giving the detailed and specific differences. If people need better definition they can look to more specific references. That is why we have references and a reference list, so people can look into them if they need additional information or clarification. Also, your argument that things like cinnamon and thyme as non-condiments doesn't follow the broad definition of what a condiment is. In any case, I have modified the article's definition of what a condiment is. GrayFullbuster (talk) 03:38, 23 October 2011 (UTC)


 * Salt is not a spice. You are just using words arbitrarily.  See http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/condiment .  Logical Cowboy (talk) 03:53, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

Wikipedia should strive to set the example, be more of a primary resource, that is why editing is allowed, to enhance definitions. If you feel that there is no "huge difference", then allow those to edit the page so as to be more specific. Salt is not a condiment, no matter how you classify it. Titan operator (talk) 04:00, 23 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Well then, how would you reconcile your claims that salt is not a condiment to this part [] of the article? Also, just because you don't agree that salt is a condiment does not mean you can simply assert and disregard what has been agreed as consensus (whether salt is a condiment or not).GrayFullbuster (talk) 04:05, 23 October 2011 (UTC)
 * This article just shows that salt is an ingrediant in condiments, not a condiment itself. Just because it is placed on a table commonly, doesn't change it's classification. Titan operator (talk) 04:17, 23 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Whether or not salt is a condiment depends on the person's perspective. But as you have seen in the article Salt, the fact that it is placed under the idea that it is a condiment and no person has changed such can show that it has been accepted by the majority that salt is a condiment. GrayFullbuster (talk) 04:23, 23 October 2011 (UTC)
 * Salt is a condiment.  See http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/condiment .  Logical Cowboy (talk) 04:13, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

I think a better solution for this article is to remove such list of condiments and such, the list is likely what causes disagreements on what is a condiment. GrayFullbuster (talk) 04:28, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

Thats ridiculous. That list of examples are the definition of condiments when people think of the word.Titan operator (talk) 16:35, 23 October 2011 (UTC)

I could be wrong but isn't using a dictonary definition a violation of WP:OR? Also the last source doesn't seem to list salt as a condiment as much as it lists it as an ingrediant in condiments. --12.190.158.6 (talk) 14:29, 7 November 2011 (UTC)

Peanut butter
is peanut butter considered a condiment??! surely it's more of a Spread? --86.135.217.213 03:39, 3 January 2006 (UTC)

I wouldn't regard peanut butter as a condiment, either. I would think of it as 'a spread' like marmite or marmalade. However, I might regard peanut sauce (such as eaten with satay) as a condiment. And what about honey? Condiment or spread? Mazzy 16:43, 15 March 2006 (UTC)

Lettuce
I wonder: is lettuce a condiment? I was a bit confused when I first read it :-) Boereck 21:40, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Peanut Honey Lettuce Time!
Regarding Spreads: The page on spreads says "A Spread is a dense, soft Condiment that can be spread"... So quite literally, Spreads are Condiments too. You don't normally eat Spreads or Condiments raw, however, you usually eat them on Cereal platters, such as slices of Bread. Therefore; Honey, Peanut Butter, Jam, and other such spreadable Sandwich toppings may all be classified as Condiments, with the subcategory of Spread (Mainly because they are thick and usually eaten individually, perhaps on Toast.)

Lettuce seems to have been enjoyed as a post-meal Hors d'œuvre, similar to Parsley. Where one goes, the other may follow. (But how often have I eaten Parsley on my sandwiches?) Lettuce is not spread onto sandwiches, but may indeed be an unground spice. Spices are included in the category of Condiments.

I am here in particular because I feel this article could use some touching up. These sub-categories of Spread, Preserve, Sweetener, Oil, Salad Dressing, Vegetable, Mineral et al. should all need to be added or clarified in this section. IMHO. Ayelis 02:08, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

If I may suggest a definition, a condiment is a sauce or seasoning not enjoyed for itself but its addition to a dish, unlike a sauce which is particularly enjoyed for its own sake, despite rarely being alone.

Tomato Sauce?
Is tomato sauce a condiment? In the context of the linked article, I would have to dispute it!

Which of these things is not like the other?
I would have to argue that salsa, lettuce, and even relish (gasp) are NOT condiments.


 * The above is a statement, not an argument.

Why the list?
I have no issue with the article but, given that there's a category for condiments, why do we have a list on this page? I think it should be removed. Dylan 17:19, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:HP sauce.jpg
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This is an automated notice by FairuseBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Media copyright questions. --09:36, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Horseraddish Sauce?
I'm just wondering if there is some good reason why horseraddish is not listed as a condiment here. (Lucas(CA) (talk) 19:11, 30 November 2008 (UTC))

Low-calorie condiment
Could a condiment be made by growing any of these bacteria: Lactobacillus bulgaricus Streptococcus thermophilus Penicillium glaucum Penicillium roqueforti Brevibacterium linens in a low-calorie substrate (eg agar-agar or skimmed milk ?)
 * I guess if you consider non-fat yogurt to be a condiment, then sure, why not? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.161.99.131 (talk) 04:33, 1 June 2009 (UTC)

Article too American-centred
I find that the image of a jar of tikka masala or curry or something is better suited than the commercial, greasy "ketchup". As the curries and relishes are far older and the basis of condiments, I guess these are more suited too.

Btw: I thought that condiment only focused on single ingedients instead of several (which are seasonings?) If so, change the article and use the masala picture for seasoning-article, while salt as main picture for condiment

Whipped cream
Why the heck not? 192.223.158.46 (talk) 08:40, 8 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Seriously.Novangelis (talk) 16:49, 8 June 2012 (UTC)

Relish
n a First I find it interesting that some people in the comments here don't seem to consider relish a condiment. Not sure what they would consider it, but that is certainly an interesting stance to take...it is a substance that exists solely to put onto other foods to improve or add to their flavor. It's certainly not a "spice", or an "appetizer". It's a prepared substance made specifically for putting onto other foods, so it couldn't be classified as the same as putting a pickle onto a burger. And salsa is not a condiment either? Wow. I suppose that would depend on how you use it...if you're using it to dip tortilla chips in, I guess it would be a "dip", but since it is primarily intended to put on top of things like tacos and burritos, I would certainly be inclined to call it a condiment. But that's just me.

My original comment was going to be that I think it kind of odd that a rare, specialty item like "Gentleman's Relish" has found a place in the gallery alongside all these other widespread, fundamental cultural condiments, while it's really a specific brand of anchovy paste that sees limited use in certain areas. That's like listing "Heinz Ketchup" specifically, only a lot less common and less known. Meanwhile, actual, plain old "Relish" didn't even have a simple link anywhere on the page, in spite of the fact that it is a page about the topic of relish, which is a quite widely used condiment in many places. If you ask me, "Relish" should be in the gallery, and if there is a picture of "Gentleman's Relish" shown, it ought to be captioned something like "Anchovy Paste" (yum), as it bears no relation to actual relish, which is made of chopped and pickled vegetables or fruit, according to the page on relish. If I didn't know anything about relish, and came to this page, I'd see "Gentleman's Relish", and think "hmmm...relish...that's that stuff that people in America eat on burgers and hotdogs". I would then click on the link and read that relish is actually an anchovy paste, and assume Americans are totally nuts because they like to eat anchovy paste on their burgers (there isn't a link or mention of "Relish" on that page either). Anyway, I would come away having learned that "relish" is just anchovy paste, and that oddly enough, Americans all import their anchovy "relish" from the UK, because that's the only place in the world where "Gentleman's Relish" is made. I'd also wonder why it didn't say anything about hotdogs or hamburgers on the page on "Gentleman's Relish".

Yes, I am exaggerating. But I do feel that a link to "Relish" is more suitable page on the general topic of condiments than one specific brand of "relish" that bears no resemblance to what most people consider "relish". If they want to read about "Gentleman's Relish", there is a link on the "Relish" page that will take them there (although I think that page should also discuss what exactly the term "relish" means and where it comes from, because it can obviously apply to vastly different types of foods). If we start listing specific brands of specialty condiments, where will it ever end? It should say "steak sauce, not A1 sauce (although both are neglected, sadly). "Worcestershire sauce" is okay, because it has become a generic term and isn't being made by only one company now. I don't mind if one shows a image of a bottle of A1 sauce, with a caption linking to "steak sauce", but showing an image of "Gentleman's Relish" with a caption calling it "relish" would be misleading, since that is not what most people consider relish. At least not in North America. If "relish" has a totally different meaning in Europe, then perhaps the page on relish ought to mention this fact. .45Colt 11:16, 10 August 2015 (UTC)