Who Invented Mayonnaise?

Can you guess who invented mayonnaise? Do you think that just like other inventions of the past, the real creator of mayonnaise is not known in history?

Fortunately, there are certain traces that can be seen from the past that details who invented mayonnaise. However, there is no known name but just a reference on the inventor’s trade or manner of living before.

French Beginnings
It was in the year 1756 when the chef of Duke de Richelieu in France invented mayonnaise. Actually, it was one of those instantaneous and marvelous accidents of the past that helped in the invention of mayonnaise.

During the siege of Mahon (which is the capital of Minorca), there was a shortage of food supplies. That was why the chef thought of whipping eggs and oil together without adding any seasoning. This dressing was served to a dinner party hosted by Duke de Richelieu.

Mayonnaise got its name after a battle was won against the British people in Port Mahon. The word Mayonnaise was named after Mahon.

Ready-Made and Ready-to-Eat
In the year 1905, Richard Hellman sold the first known ready-made mayonnaise. This was sold at Hellman’s New York deli. And it may be inferred that mayonnaise became more available to people who were developing a taste for the product.

The recipe that was used was actually made by Hellman’s wife, and was initially sold in open wooden boats.

In 1912, Hellman thought of selling mayonnaise in large glass bottles. It was easier to sell and was then marketed at a large rate. This product was then called as “Hellman’s Blue Ribbon Mayonnaise.”
It received instant popularity, and is still popular today since Best Foods now owns the rights of this product.

Other Popular Brands
After a few years, Kraft Foods saw the potential of this market and introduced their own mayonnaise product to the general public in 1933. This was called “Miracle Whip.” And it became an instant sensation in just a few short weeks after coming out in the market.

What contributed to its great boost in sales is its tagline, “Salad Miracles with Miracle Whip Salad Dressing.” With that, this product became known as the first ready-to-serve spoonable salad dressing in the market.

The company of Kraft didn’t stop there.
In 1984, it introduced the Miracle Whip Light Reduced Calorie Salad Dressing. Sales continued to soar.

To appease the needs of those who wanted a nonfat dressing, Kraft Foods introduced another new product in 1990. This was included in the Miracle Whip collection of products. It was called the Miracle Whip Free Nonfat Dressing.

With all these brands, mayonnaise had become a common household name for sandwich fillings and others. Who would’ve thought that from a shortage of supplies way back then, these things would emerge in the food market? Perhaps, the chef who invented mayonnaise also may not have any idea as to what would happen afterwards with that initial simple creation of mayonnaise in France.