Episode Details

What nobody told you about mayonnaise: the wartime origin, the brand rivalry, and the Hellmann's love story you've held in your hands, and never knew about.

You've probably never thought twice about that jar of mayonnaise in your fridge. You open it, you use it, you put it back. But that jar has a story that you likely don’t know, one that starts with a military victory, and with a love story.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you inside the interesting stories and history of mayonnaise. From the French chef who accidentally created it after a battle, and the fancy European kitchens where it was once considered a “fine-dining must have”, to how it became a key staple in your home today.

Nancy and Sylvia share the ribbon story behind the Hellmann’s brand, which will have you remembering that story the next time you open a jar to make a tuna or chicken salad.

There are also some true confessions in this show, where Nancy gets personal and confesses her lifelong mayo addiction. Think of bread and mayo sandwiches! Or just cheese and mayo. For real! Sylvia believes that mayo has been the unsung hero of every church picnic, potato salad, and deviled egg platter your family has ever made.

Then, there’s the great Mayo brand standoff, which has divided American households for generations. That key question is…. are you a #Duke's or #Hellmann's devotee?

You'll also find out why the French have been eating their fries with mayo instead of ketchup this whole time (and why once you try it, just ask Bob, you're probably not going back). How homemade mayo takes just five minutes and three ingredients, and other intriguing stories that will have you looking at your fridge just a little differently, the next time you open the door.

If you've ever stood in a grocery aisle and questioned your mayo choice, tune in to this episode and listen to why mayo is a brain teaser.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Your mayo has a military origin story you've never been told. The most widely accepted history traces mayonnaise to 1756, after a French military victory at the port of Mahón on the island of Menorca. A chef created the sauce from eggs and oil; it was refined in European courts, eventually brought to the US, and somehow landed in your fridge. Now you’ll know the rest of that story.
• The blue ribbon on your Hellmann's jar really is a love story. In the early 1900s, Richard Hellmann sold his wife's homemade mayo at his New York deli with a blue ribbon tied around every jar. Customers couldn't get enough. That ribbon is still on the label today! The next time you pick up a jar of Hellmann’s, take a good look at the label and share the story with someone who’s making a mayo selection and standing next to you.
• You're five minutes away from making your own mayo. Egg yolks. Oil. Vinegar, a little mustard, and lemon juice if you want, too. A slow drizzle of oil into a blender. That's it. Try using other oils for a different flavor. Once you've made your own, you'll understand why chefs still treat mayonnaise as a craft… It’s fun. Give it a try. And you'll wonder why you waited so long to try it.
• Your mayo brand says more about you than you think. Duke's or Hellmann's isn't a preference; it tells you where you're from, North vs. South. In some families, switching brands could mean expulsion from your next holiday gathering. If you know, you know!

Next Steps:

So here's our question: What’s your brand? Duke's? Hellmann's? Something your grandmother made that no one real