According to an industry study  Condiment sales grew just 3% in current prices during 2002-2007, reaching nearly $5 billion..." I think a big majority of that $5billion sits in our refrigerator. On Sunday I realized how crowded our refrigerator was while trying to fit a carton of milk. When I looked at the items in our refrigerator, I realized the culprit was all of the bottles and jars of condiments we had purchased during the last 12 months. To set the ground rules, I researched to see what food items were categorized as condiments. According to the industry they are "pickles/relish/olives, ethnic sauces, mustard/ketchup and meat sauces." I have counted the number of condiments in my refrigerator and it was a total of 23 items. I did not follow the strict industry categorization and I have added "Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar", "Ginger Chutney", "Ginger Paste" (Can anyone tell me how we can use it?), and "Pomegranate Syrup" which we mix with olive oil to make tomato salad dressing. Why do we have so many varieties of condiments? Couple of reasons; food around the world lost its original taste, and heavy advertising. First the loss of flavor and taste in our foods. According to Andrew F. Smith who wrote a book on the subject, "Encyclopedia of junk foods and fast foods" the term condiment originally meant "pickled and preserved foods." Mr Smith goes on to write "Condiments enhance flavor and often turn bland or unsatisfying foods into palatable and pleasurable eating experiences." I rest my case. Condiments are not a new phenomenon, but they have changed drastically. Mr. Smith indicates in this book that "Condiments have been used by Americans since colonial times..." He goes on to write "Initially, cost was a major limiting factor; only the middle and upper classes could afford many condiments and the ones that were used were simple ones - salt, pepper, butter, jams, jellies, mustard, syrup, sugar or molasses." Some of the modern condiments such as ketchup and mayo did not come around until the 19th century. When you compare the old list of condiments with the new and complex ones that we use, it is easy to draw a conclusion that the food industry is trying to hide something and we are being duped. Which brings me to the second reason w hy we use so may condiments, advertising. Who can forget the powerful "Do you have any Grey Poupon?" advertising which insinuated that to feel like a rich Yuppie, you had to use Grey Poupon mustard. From childhood, we are bombarded with condiment advertising. We are told that a steak is not a steak unless it is coupled with the A1 sauce. Fries can only be eaten with Ketchup (I eat mine with honey mustard). Slowly but surely we are forgetting the original taste of foods and replacing it with the flavors and smells of the condiments. What's next "Apple Pie" smelling Glades Deodorizer? Wait, they already have it. That's sad.