Secret Sweet ’N Sour Sauce ingredient shocks Macca’s fans

You’ve probably dipped your nuggets in this iconic sauce before, but have you ever noticed what flavour it is? What it is will surprise you.

McDonald’s fans have been left “shocked” after discovering the secret ingredient in a popular sauce.

The fast-food giant’s Sweet ’N Sour Sauce is a firm favourite among diners, particularly those who order McNuggets, due to its zesty kick.

But some have just discovered it gains its tantalising flavour from an unlikely fruit – and it has left many stating the condiment had been “ruined” for them.

The food fact was revealed recently on the Jase & Lauren Podcast, during which Lauren Philips watches co-host Jason Hawkins devour a basket of McNuggets with the chain’s signature tart and tangy condiment.

A little-known fact about a cult Macca’s item has left Aussies stunned. Picture: TikTok

“Have you ever thought about what Sweet ’N Sour Sauce is actually flavoured?” she asks as Hawkins dunks his nuggets into the popular dip.

After waiting for her co-worker to take a bite, she reveals: “Would you believe it is actually … apricot flavour?”

The discovery prompts Hawkins to proclaim he could no longer eat his dunked nugget, stating: “I hate apricot. I can taste the apricot now.”

McDonald’s states its Sweet ’N Sour sauce “blends flavours of apricot and peach with savoury spices and leaves a slight lingering heat”.

Other ingredients include “high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, modified food starch, dextrose, xanthan gum, sodium Benzoate (preservative), cellulose gum, dried chilli peppers, caramel colour, extractives of paprika (colour).”

Lauren Philips revealed on her podcast with Jase Hawkins the dip got its flavour from apricots. Picture: TikTok/Jase & Lauren Podcast

Hawkins said it ‘ruined’ the sauce for him. Picture: TikTok/Jase & Lauren Podcast

After sharing the revelation on TikTok, fans of the KIIS FM show were similarly soured.

“You have now ruined my favourite McDonald’s sauce,” lamented one, while another wrote: “Ummm…I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear this.”

However others argued the dip was “elite” and argued Hawkins was wrong to turn his back on it.

“Anyone who hates something they previously loved only after learning what’s in it make[s] me so mad,” griped one viewer.

“Nothing has changed bro keep liking it,” another said.

It’s not the first time the fact has gone viral. Picture: Twitter/X

It’s not the first time social media users have been left stunned by this Macca’s tid bit, with the fact going similarly viral in October 2022 after a woman shared it on TikTok.

“McDonald’s sweet ’n’ sour sauce – am I the only one that didn’t know what fruit it was made of until today?” she asked.

Viewers were equally as rocked, with one asking: “I would like to know why you would shatter my world view like that. Explain, please. Thank you.”

“I could have gone my whole life without ever needing to know this,” another sulked.