What Mayonnaise Tastes Best
I was looking through my latest addition of Fine Cooking, one of my favorite cooking magazines, and saw an article on “Rating Mayonnaise”. I’m not sure what your favorite mayonnaise is but it’s most likely the one you grew up with and you aren’t going to change it no matter what their tasting results shows.
Mayonnaise is a combination of oil, egg yolks, lemon juice or vinegar and various seasonings depending on the maker. Normally oil and vinegar do not like to be combined but by using an emulsifying process you can stabilize the two with the help of the egg yolks.
Mayonnaise was invented by the French chef of the Duc de Richelieu in 1756 for a celebration victory feast. The chef named the new sauce “Mahonnaise” to show tribute to his boss.
Making homemade mayonnaise is easy and the flavor is better than anything you can purchase in a jar or plastic squirt containers but it doesn’t have the shelf life of the commercial brands.
Just what is the shelf life of a jar of mayonnaise in the refrigerator?
Back to the Tasting
What really surprised me was the outcome of the Fine Cooking blind tasting of 6 popular jarred mayonnaises. I would have thought my favorite Hellman’s would have won hands down but it came it second to Kraft Real Mayonnaise.
Both had mild, clean flavors and a good balance between salt and vinegar but the tasters thought it “lacked depth and was a bit monotone.” Coming in third, fourth, fifth and sixth? Cains All Natural, Spectrum Organic, Whole Foods 365 and Gefen Kosher respectively.
Although I grew up on Hellman’s for my sandwiches and tuna salads, I will be purchasing a small jar of Kraft’s Real Mayo for a comparison.
on September 5th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Did the blind taste test involve sampling the product straight from the jar? If so, that doesn’t seem very fair, because in a recipte it all depends on how flavors meld together.
There’s something to be said for the pure and simple (yet deliciously rich) taste of Helmann’s. The funny thing is, I grew up on Miracle Whip, not even realizing it was technically salad dressing and not “mayo” (because that’s what we called it).
My first few experiences with the real thing were not so great. But now that my palate has matured and I have experimented a bit more, I have found that there are certain uses/recipes that require one or the other, and the wrong one can be an utter disappointment.
Really simple Examples (according to my own taste preferences):
-Chicken sandwich: Miracle Whip
-Roast beef sandwich: Hellmans
-Chicken/tuna/potato salad can go either way, unless it contains curry, in which case the true egg taste of Hellman’s becomes a necessity.
To me, Kraft’s version is sort of like real mayo for diehard Miracle Whip lovers. It still has a sort of sweetness or tang that doesn’t sit right if I’m expecting real mayo. On the other hand, If I were cooking for a pot-luck, maybe the Kraft Mayo could provide a middle-ground for both sides?
on September 6th, 2006 at 7:04 am
Dukes is the only mayonaise worth considering. It’s head and shoulders above the rest. I feel sorry for anyone who grew up any where it can’t be found. I especially feel sorry for anyone who thought Mirical Whip was mayonaise. That’s the kind of stories that keeps me up at night. What kind of parents would do that to a kid? Dukes is great in potato salad, chicken salad, on sandwhiches and it makes the best Deviled Eggs. There is only one…Dukes!
on September 13th, 2006 at 9:57 am
I agree with Angela. I decided to pick up a jar just the other day, and I was really impressed! I said to myself…”Why have you been using he other brands when this was here all the time?” Probably because I was brought up on the others…I say, “be brave and pick up a jar if you’ve never tried it”…you’ll sure to be converted.
on September 14th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
agree with Angela and Debbie and my mom always used Miracle Whip and I hate the stuff
on September 21st, 2006 at 4:45 pm
my husband like miracle whip….and i like mayonnaise…….I do like Dukes better than Hellmans….it was only by chance i bought it one day. It must have been on sale ! and not all stores sell it. the flavor is just so much better.
Linda
on September 21st, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Duke’s is a southern mayo. If you’ve never had the opportunity to try it, you have missed the best. In a pinch, if we can’t find Duke’s, like some places in Tenn., we will “make do” with Hellman’s
on September 21st, 2006 at 6:05 pm
I live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada - is Dukes sold anywhere at all in Canada?
on September 21st, 2006 at 8:43 pm
I was raised on Miracle Whip and we also called it Mayo. At the family gatherings my mother was always asked to bring the potato salad. She made it with Miracle Whip and hard boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickles and paprika. Everyone would ask her for the recipe and she’d tell them, but she always said Mayonaisse because everyone always told her they didn’t like that awful Miracle Whip! Meanwhile they never figured it out, kept trying to copy her Potato Salad and always ate all of hers!!
As a kid I never knew why I didn’t like anything made with Mayo in restaurants! Now I still use Miracle Whip for sandwiches and potato salad, macaroni salad, etc. And love homemade mayo for sauces etc. Like garlic aioli etc.
on September 21st, 2006 at 8:47 pm
My favourite is Heinz Salad Cream English Dressing. I grew up with that in England and have eaten it for over 60 years!
My wife hates it because it because she says it tastes like mustard, her favourite being Litehouse Ranch Dressing which I would’t give you a penny for. Thought about making my own, but laziness has precluded this, make good Tartare Sauce though.
on September 25th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
I moved back to Detroit from Greeenville S. C. in 1987 after living down south for 17 years. What I loved about the south was the food! Dukes is the only mayo I’ll use. I order some every year and its shipped here to MIchigan. I put it on everything.
on October 19th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Where can I find Dukes Mayonnaise in Houston Texas?
on February 26th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
You may not be able to find “Duke’s” in Texas, but you might be able to pick up a jar of “Blue Plate” Mayo, and I think it’s just as good. Duke’s is from Carolina, Blue Plate is from Louisiana, and since TX is close to LA…
on January 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
dukes in my opinion is a little to vinegary. helmans, and kraft, are better over all they have more egg yolk, and a better flaver. of course u like dukes, its from the south! what a coincidence!
on January 19th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Kraft Real Mayo is ‘IMO’ a tad tastier than Hellmans. I went years without even giving Kraft a chance (they do make Miracle Whip after all…), but I accidentally bought one of those ‘flip top’ tubs while in a rush, thinking it was Hellmans in a new jar… I didn’t even notice it was Kraft when I made sandwiches that night - but I knew something was different the moment I tasted it. I’ll always love Hellmans, but my boyfriend and I both like Kraft just a lil’ bit more… If you can find it - Kewpie Mayonnaise is Great too! It’s a Japanese Mayo and while the bottle turns me off somewhat (I think it looks gross… the baby on the front creeps me out) I heard so many good things about it that I had to give it a try. It’s made with a higher yolk content, rice vinegar, and ‘gasp’ MSG (that’s what makes it so tasty I’m certain). Not a good fit for ‘all’ American foods, but in some, it’s definitely a better flavor/mayo choice. This stuff makes the BEST deviled eggs, egg salad and tuna fish sandwiches.
on February 7th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Blue Plate.
on May 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
dukes, is in my opinion not really a good mayo, although some love it. kraft ot helmans, ate tops. we didnt miss anything if we grew up without tasing dukes. sorry, the south just isnt the best place for food, in my opinion. i live in nc, and the hot dogs, pizza, and other foods just arent that good. problem is a lot of people in the south never tasted the right way to eat certain foods.
on May 24th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
kraft or helmans is a lot better than dukes, sorry i know the south loves their food, but problem is with some food, if you are used to something that isnt made right, you wont like the real thing.
on May 24th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
look at the comparison, dukes didnt even make the list, kraft won.
on June 26th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Did the taste change with the new label of Kraft Mayo? It seems to have a sweet taste.
on July 6th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
yes i say it changed with the new label definitely sweeter and flavor is different… bummer. it was nice being able to count on the consistent flavor and quality for all these years but not any more apparently.
on July 14th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Yes, the taste changed with the new label Kraft Mayo, and it isn’t as good. Also notice that the cholesterol content went up. Personally, I don’t think the new label is very attractive, so all around, as far as I’m concerned this was not a good move on Kraft’s part.
on July 28th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Here is the reply I received from Kraft when I e-mailed them questioning if their mayo formula had changed:
“The formulation of KRAFT Mayo Real Mayonnaise has indeed changed and I’m sorry you were disappointed with your most recent purchase.
Your experience is important to us. I’m sending you reimbursement to replace this product, via first class mail, which you should receive within 7-10 business days.
Our staff works very hard to provide the best tasting and satisfying products to the preferences of most consumers. Your opinion about the product is important to us as well and I will share your comments with our product development staff.”
I threw the coupon away and responded with my opinion of the altered mayo (threw it in the trash after the first slimy taste), they responded:
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts.
In early 2008 we reformulated the Kraft Real MAYO line.
We increased the amount of egg yolks and sugar, and added Mustard Oil to the formula. These changes were made to create a mayonnaise with a fuller, more balanced flavor.
Please take note that due to the change in formula, the daily value for cholesterol increased from 1% to 2%.
I’m sorry to let you know that I won’t be able to provide you with the exact amount or percentages of ingredients in our products because this information is proprietary.
But I’d like to make sure you know that all of our ingredients are listed in order of predominance by weight on our Nutrition Facts panel.”
I switched to Dukes and told them so. Remember the consumer chaos when Coke changed their original formula? Do you suppose that they will eventually introduce KRAFT REAL MAYO CLASSIC?
on September 17th, 2008 at 2:53 am
When we discovered the radical change in the formulation of Kraft Mayo all hell broke loose. My daughter made a large pasta salad that required more than 1/2 a quart which ruined the salad. I came in the kitchen and was dishing up some of the salad when my daughter warned me “you aren’t going to like it” I said what do you mean, she said go ahead try it, there is something wrong with that Mayo. I checked the date on the container, it was not outdated, I sampled some right out of the jar, there is something definitely wrong. I went to the phone, called Kraft Foods Inc, got to the right division and to the lady something was wrong, perhaps some miracle whip got mixed in by mistake or whatever. I gave her the UPC code and she fessed up that they made a change in the formulation. I indignantly replied in an elevated voice “YOU DID WHAT? NO NO, I don’t think so, You have no right to change it, I’ve been using Kraft MAyo for over 45 years, it is an AMerican iCON, just like baseball, hotdogs, apple pie, coke. Is there something wrong with you people, don’t you know if something is not broke, you don’t fix it? Big Big Huge MIstake. Her reply, well we wanted a more robust taste so we added some mustard and a little more sugar. I said a little more, hell it’s a lot, it tastes like some put a teaspoon of sugar on my tomato mayo sandwich. If you want a more robust version, fine go ahead, put a label on it and put it along side the original classic. and by the way did you screw around with the Krakt ranch dressing and dip? she fessed up.
My kids won’t use it. Incidently, the Mayo label change preceded the actual formulation change. The American public NEEDS to ban together in PROTEST and put pressure on Kraft and force them to wake up. If they want to change products they ought to poll the consumer.
on September 17th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Incidently, I did switch t0 Hellman’s and I was lucky enough to find a gallon of Kraft Mayo at Walmart with new label but still had old formula.
I should call Kraft back to let them know I switched. They never offered to send me a refund or coupons.
I few days later I was on the phone with my brother Pat, a life long loyal Kraft Mayo consumer and began to relay the story, he started to laugh and said we went through the same thing here about a month ago where I also felt compelled to contact Kraft and read them the riot act. Spread the word, get others to contact Kraft requesting to return the classic to the American Public.
on September 17th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Kraft REAL Mayo USED to be right up there with Baseball, Apple Pie and Chevrolet…….Now it Just SUCKS! I’ve got one word for you Kraft geniuses…”Hellmans.”
Adios Olde Favorite
snoballPete
on November 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Kraft REAL? Even Coke didn’t have the audacity to change flavors without warning everybody. I surely would NOT have bought this jar of REAL if I had known it would be sweeter. It tastes more like Miracle Whip, which I hate. I agree with Big Mike. They should have warned us. Why call it real and then change it? What is it now, “UNREAL?”
on November 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
OMG I got a new jar and it was awful! I called and told them that I would have to go to another REAL mayo cause that was a version of miracle whip and I HATE MW so I am off to the store to find a REAL mayo!! Good Luck to me LOL
on April 29th, 2009 at 11:59 am
If no one has noticed, Helman’s Real has changed their flavor (ingredients) I have it dirctly from Hellman’s. Now it just doesn’t taste the same as two yrs. ago and I seem to use more (how clever of Hellman’s) and am still disappointed. I’m looking for the real Hellman’s taste of years ago. Anyone???
on April 29th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I just have to say as in Highlander, there can be only one and that one is Blue Plate. I grew up in Louisiana and I have it shipped wherever I am. When I was in culinary school my Mom shipped it to me along with Community Coffee. The taste of Blue Plate is different than any other mayo and much better than anything any chef could make.
on May 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Kraft has changed its formula and is much sweeter than it used to be. The information on the taste test is outdated and should be removed.
on November 4th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Forget the Helmans, Dukes, & Kraft.
Blue Plate is the best hands down. I grow up in GA and it was readily available in the South. it. It is creamy, slightly tart & best tasting mayo–nothing compares. It makes the best potato salad, deviled eggs, or just plain tomato sandwich. I live in Texas now and go to the closest Louisiana town to buy it or order it on line. Love, Love my Blue Plate
on November 19th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
In our family we don’t say “pass the mayo”, we simply say “pass the Duke’s”. It is synonymous with mayonnaise. It is that good! You can order it online, with free shipping!!! Only within the lower 48, though. Sorry….
Bobby, I hear from many home cooks that Duke’s is tops although I have never seen it sold here in the Philadelphia area. Maybe I have to look harder. RG