HP sauce is often simply called "brown sauce" by the uninitiated. When people ask for "brown sauce" what they actually want (what they really, really want) is HP Sauce. HP Sauce is THE brown sauce, in the same way that Coca-Cola is THE cola. Naming a sauce after its colour is unfortunately the unimaginative response to not-really-knowing-what-to-call-something that is effectively a complex culinary masterpiece. HP Sauce is, after all, apparently made from the same things as girls: sugar, spice and everything nice. It's also made with a good amount of tomatoes, but we could barely start calling it "tomato sauce."
When not being denigrated by the ignominous nickname of "brown sauce" HP is actually named after the heteronormative patriarchy... at least indirectly. Whilst having the Houses of Parliament hidden it its official acronymic moniker, HP sauce cannot be said to taste like the Palace of Westminster, or indeed any other seat of government. It is, in fact, a sweet/sour, elaborately-spiced, lightly fruity condiment which could easily be called a ketchup (or catsup) rather than a simple "sauce."
HP is as British as taxi cab filled with bulldogs. It gets added into stews, spread on sandwiches, dolloped on sausages and mixed into baked beans. Then, of course, there is the age-old debate (wars have probably been fought) about whether bacon butties should have tomato ketchup, HP sauce, butter or nothing at all.... One thing is certain; in a world of srirachas, balsamic vinegars, mango chutneys, sweet chillis, peri-peri and reggae reggae sauces, HP sauce abides. Much like the Houses of Parliament (well, at least since it burned down in 1834...)
HP sauce is another one of those iconic goodies you'll find in your gift hamper if you win one of our daily prize draws in November. Simply order online to be entered into the day's draw.
