Hela Kruiden Ketchup Curry

Hela Kruiden Ketchup Curry is an iconic condiment with a deep-rooted history in European food culture, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. The brand was founded in 1905 by Hermann Laue in Hamburg, Germany, originally as a merchant of medicinal herbs and spices. The breakthrough for the company came in 1963 with the invention of 'Gewürz Ketchup' (Spiced Ketchup), which became a staple for dishes like Currywurst.

While the brand is distinctly German in origin, it has a massive presence in the Netherlands where it is marketed as 'Kruiden Ketchup' (Herbal Ketchup). The company expanded its operations into the Dutch market first through a partnership with the Thissen company in 1967, which eventually became a fully integrated branch known as Hela Thissen. Today, the product is primarily manufactured at the company's main facilities in Ahrensburg, Germany, but the Dutch subsidiary, Hela Thissen BV, also handles local production and distribution to meet the high demand of the Benelux region.

The Hela brand remains independently family-owned by the Laue family, now spanning multiple generations. This ultimate ownership by Hela Gewürzwerk Hermann Laue GmbH ensures that the secret spice recipe remains a closely guarded family legacy while the brand continues to expand its global distribution.