What is a condiment?

Answer 1

A condiment is a relish, sauce, or seasoning added to food to impart a particular flavour or to complement the dish. Oftenpungent in flavour and therefore added in fairly small quantities, popular condiments include salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard,olive oil, vinegar and sugar.

Usually applied by the diner at the table, condiments generally have the consistency of a thick liquid or paste and are served from a bottle, jar, or bowl. They may also be dry, such as a mixture of herbs and seasonings. Many condiments are available packaged in single-serving packets (sachets), like mustard or ketchup packets, particularly when supplied withtake-out or fast food meals.

Condiments are sometimes added prior to serving, for example a sandwich made with ketchup or mustard. Some condiments are used during cooking to add flavor or texture to the food; for example, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce all have flavors that can enhance the tastes of a variety of different meats and vegetables.

There are some overlaps between condiments andseasonings.