Let’s say you’re craving the potato salad of your dreams, but you’re fresh out of mayo. When perusing the condiment aisle at the grocery store, you throw a blue and yellow container of creamy goodness into your cart. But is this mayo called Hellmann’s or Best Foods? Turns out, they’re both the exact same brand — same logo and everything — but you’ll only be able to find one or the other, depending upon which side of the country you live.
If you live on the West Coast, you’re likely a Best Foods aficionado: it comes with a yellow and blue label with the slogan “Bring out the best” followed by the phrase real mayonnaise (with the word “real” highlighted in red) below the brand’s name.
But travel east, and perhaps you haven’t even heard of Best Foods. Your grocery stores are probably stocked with rows and rows of Hellmann’s, wearing the same baby blue bow and festooned with the same tall, blockish font: the exact same mayonnaise, logo and all.
This is no coincidence. In fact, today Hellmann’s and Best Foods are essentially one and the same.
The most significant day in the friendship between the two took place in the late 1960’s, when Best Foods finally adopted Hellman’s signature blue ribbon as part of their own logo.
Richard Hellmann, a German immigrant, began selling his wife’s homemade mayonnaise from the storefront of his Manhattan deli in 1905. As his mayo grew in popularity, he sold the deli and opened a factory to begin mass-producing a perfected version of this tasty, creamy condiment just a couple of years later.
Meanwhile, Best Foods owned and operated a successful mayonnaise plant out of San Francisco. When they bought Hellmann’s in 1932, they were wary of changing the brand’s name, worrying it would cost them devout Hellmann’s customers. Thus, the origins of the Best Foods-Hellmann’s reign: one mayonnaise recipe, one mayonnaise brand, two unique names.
This isn’t the only tale of two food companies living happily under the same brand image. Think of Dreyer’s and Edy’s, another example of different names, same aesthetic and an East Coast-West Coast schism.
Perhaps the most significant day in the friendship between the two mayos took place in the late 1960s, when Best Foods finally adopted Hellman’s signature blue ribbon as part of their own logo. Today, both brands are owned by multinational Unilever. Still, the company claims both the recipe and the aesthetic has barely wavered in many decades.
That’s not to say there are no issues arising from having a dual identity: They use the same marketing campaigns but are obliged to make separate but identical ads. Also, none of their campaigns can run in nationwide publications (say, mayo-friendly Modern Farmer magazine).
The recipes are alleged to be slightly different, though the exact combinations are top-secret proprietary information. Though nearly identical, some still argue that they taste slightly different (Best Foods supposedly uses a touch more lemon juice).
One thing’s for certain: One will always be completely and unarguably better than the other. You know which one it is.
FAQs
Hellmann's — a brand owned by Unilever, like Best Foods — is essentially the Best Foods of the eastern United States. More specifically, Best Foods and Hellmann's are brand names for the very same line of mayonnaise products. They've simply retained separate branding since 1932, when Best Foods Inc.
What's the difference between Best Foods mayonnaise and Hellman's mayonnaise? ›
Hellmann's — a brand owned by Unilever, like Best Foods — is essentially the Best Foods of the eastern United States. More specifically, Best Foods and Hellmann's are brand names for the very same line of mayonnaise products. They've simply retained separate branding since 1932, when Best Foods Inc.
Is Hellman's Mayo owned by China? ›
Hellmann's and Best Foods are American brand names that are used for the same line of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sauce, salad dressing, condiments and other food products. They have been owned by the British multinational company Unilever since 2000.
Why does Best Foods mayonnaise taste different? ›
In the case of this product the legend has been fueled by the company itself having described their product as “some people find that Best Foods mayonnaise is slightly more tangy”, perhaps due to the addition of slightly more lemon juice although the product labels don't highlight any difference in ingredients.
Why did Hellman's change their name to Best Foods? ›
By 1932, the same company owned Best Foods and Hellmann's. Because Hellmann's had such a devoted following, the owners decided to keep both brand names. To this day, west of the Rocky Mountains sells Best Foods Mayonnaise, while east of the Rocky Mountains sells Hellmann's.
What mayonnaise do chefs prefer? ›
But there is one store-bought mayo that nearly every professional chef and in-the-know food lover keeps in their chill chest: Kewpie. This Japanese brand has long been the secret weapon of the mayonnaise arsenal for those in the know.
Is Dukes mayo made in China? ›
Among the company's four manufacturing sites is the plant in Mauldin. The other sites are in Richmond, Virginia, Kansas and California. Duke's mayonnaise — with its rich, egg-yolk-only formula — is made in Mauldin and Kansas, Hatcher said. "It is very different from anything else you find on the market," Hatcher said.
What is the oldest mayonnaise brand? ›
United States. Commercial mayonnaise marketed in jars originated in Philadelphia in 1907 when Amelia Schlorer began marketing a mayonnaise recipe originally used in salads sold in her family's grocery store. Mrs.
What is America's favorite mayonnaise? ›
1. Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise. This classic brand of mayonnaise continues to be a top-choice, and a kitchen staple.
What is the difference between Miracle Whip and Best Foods mayonnaise? ›
Mayonnaise is made of oil, eggs, and vinegar (or lemon juice). Miracle Whip has the same basic ingredients but with less oil, and the addition of water, sugar, and spices like mustard, paprika, and garlic.
We need eggs and soybeans to make mayo. But, both ingredients faced some price increases themselves (eggs cost about $4 and up for a dozen, and soybeans cost about $15 per bushel). The rising cost of both led to a sharp 18% price increase for mayo since 2021, according to the Consumer Price Index.
What is Hellman's mayonnaise called on the West Coast? ›
Best Foods — a brand owned by Unilever, like Hellmann's — is essentially the Hellmann's of the western United States. More specifically, Best Foods and Hellmann's are brand names for the very same line of mayonnaise products. They've simply retained separate branding since 1932, when Best Foods Inc.
Which is the best mayonnaise? ›
Best Mayonnaise Brands in India
| Serial no. | Brands | Check Deal On |
|---|
| 1. | Del Monte | Amazon | Flipkart |
| 2. | Dr. Oetkar's | Amazon | Flipkart |
| 3. | Veeba | Amazon | Flipkart |
| 4. | Hellmann's | Amazon | Flipkart |
3 more rowsDuke's is tarter, with a more distinctive, almost vinegary, smell. Hellmann's is more neutral. That said, though, someone will immediately claim to prefer the “saltier, more citric” taste of Hellmann's. Or point out that Duke's contains no sugar.
Which mayonnaise brand is best? ›
The List: Best Mayonnaise, According to Experts
- Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise.
- Duke's Real Mayonnaise.
- Kewpie Mayonnaise.
- Sir Kensington's Classic Mayonnaise.
- Primal Kitchen Real Mayonnaise.
Trader Joe's mayonnaise is clearly meant to be a stand-in for Hellman's—they even have nearly identical packaging. The ingredients lists are also quite similar, though Trader Joe's using a combination of distilled vinegar, lemon juice, and cider vinegar for its zip.
