Secret Ingredient: Difference between revisions

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This is a sister trope to [[And Some Other Stuff]] (when the secret ingredient is [[Stuff Blowing Up|explosive]] rather than tasty). For unappealing versions, see [[I Ate What?]] and [[The Secret of Long Pork Pies]].
This is a sister trope to [[And Some Other Stuff]] (when the secret ingredient is [[Stuff Blowing Up|explosive]] rather than tasty). For unappealing versions, see [[I Ate What?]] and [[The Secret of Long Pork Pies]].
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{{examples}}
== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* In a [[Donald Duck]] comic book story, he insisted on putting ketchup on all of Daisy's cooking, much to her annoyance, because it just didn't taste as good as Grandma Duck's food. When Daisy checks with Grandma, it turns out the old lady's secret ingredient is...ketchup, which she puts in everything.
* In a [[Donald Duck]] comic book story, he insisted on putting ketchup on all of Daisy's cooking, much to her annoyance, because it just didn't taste as good as Grandma Duck's food. When Daisy checks with Grandma, it turns out the old lady's secret ingredient is...ketchup, which she puts in everything.
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* ''[[Superman]] - [[Last Son of Krypton]]''. Clark Kent makes a bet with his rival Steve Lombard that his mother's (Mrs. Kent's) soft drink was the best drink ever. While on the planet Oric, he obtains a spice so powerful that a drop of it added to his mother's drink would make it irresistible to the human palate.
* ''[[Superman]] - [[Last Son of Krypton]]''. Clark Kent makes a bet with his rival Steve Lombard that his mother's (Mrs. Kent's) soft drink was the best drink ever. While on the planet Oric, he obtains a spice so powerful that a drop of it added to his mother's drink would make it irresistible to the human palate.


== [[Live Action Television]] ==
== [[Live-Action TV]] ==
* ''[[Cake Boss]]'': Buddy has ordered the cameraman to stop filming a couple times, so Buddy can add a secret ingredient without the show's viewers learning what it is.
* ''[[Cake Boss]]'': Buddy has ordered the cameraman to stop filming a couple times, so Buddy can add a secret ingredient without the show's viewers learning what it is.
* On ''[[Angel]]'', Angel once drinks a cup of blood with an unusual taste. He's told "the secret ingredient is otter."
* On ''[[Angel]]'', Angel once drinks a cup of blood with an unusual taste. He's told "the secret ingredient is otter."
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* [[Truth in Television]]. Just a pinch of the right herb or spice can work wonders on a meal, it's no surprise some may want to monopolize on it. However, usually the secret ingredient will be something simple, like a dash of herbs de provence, or a bit of lavender, rather than something exotic. Since the average consumer has an exaggerated impression of the secrecy, however, a company can deny revelations by spiteful former insiders or an attention seeker who just happens to get it right.
* [[Truth in Television]]. Just a pinch of the right herb or spice can work wonders on a meal, it's no surprise some may want to monopolize on it. However, usually the secret ingredient will be something simple, like a dash of herbs de provence, or a bit of lavender, rather than something exotic. Since the average consumer has an exaggerated impression of the secrecy, however, a company can deny revelations by spiteful former insiders or an attention seeker who just happens to get it right.
* KFC's "eleven herbs and spices" (which, for the record, are ground oregano, chili powder, ground sage, basil, marjoram, pepper, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and monosodium glutamate).
* KFC's "eleven herbs and spices" (which, for the record, are ground oregano, chili powder, ground sage, basil, marjoram, pepper, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and monosodium glutamate).
* [[w:Coca-Cola formula|The "secret formula" for Coca-Cola]] is only secret so far as the exact proportions of the ingredients and the precise selection of certain minor trace flavors are concerned. Every grocery chain knows enough about what makes up the basic cola flavor (citrus oils, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and phosphoric and/or citric acids) to create its own house brand, after all.
* The "secret formula" for Coke.
* Cooking show chef Emeril always adds a dash of "essence". Bam! However, given how Emeril Lagasse has [https://web.archive.org/web/20111227230616/http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-creole-seasoning-essence-recipe3/index.html made the recipe for "essence" publicly available], this is less a Secret Ingredient and more a Trademark Ingredient.
* Cooking show chef Emeril always adds a dash of "essence". Bam! However, given how Emeril Lagasse has [https://web.archive.org/web/20111227230616/http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-creole-seasoning-essence-recipe3/index.html made the recipe for "essence" publicly available], this is less a Secret Ingredient and more a Trademark Ingredient.
* Despite jokes made on comedy-oriented shows, the special sauce [[McDonald's]] uses [[Subverted Trope| has ''never'' been secret]]. Neither is it simply Thousand Island dressing, a common rumor. It is made of ketchup, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, onion and vinegar.
* Despite jokes made on comedy-oriented shows, the special sauce [[McDonald's]] uses [[Subverted Trope| has ''never'' been secret]]. Neither is it simply Thousand Island dressing, a common rumor. It is made of ketchup, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, onion and vinegar.
* Another old (since 1930 in fact) rumor is that Dr. Pepper's secret ingredient is prune juice. Although the exact recipe is not public, [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/belle-pepper/ this is not true.]
* Another old (since 1930 in fact) rumor is that Dr. Pepper's secret ingredient is prune juice. Although the exact recipe is not public, [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/belle-pepper/ this is not true.]

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Food Tropes]]
[[Category:Food Tropes]]
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