10 Terrifying Vintage Hellmann's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why did Hellman's change their name? ›

Instead, you might find an extremely similar-looking jar labeled Best Foods. This is because, in 1927, the California company that would eventually become Best Foods acquired the Hellmann's brand. However, the company continued to sell under both brand names, with Best Foods in the west and Hellmann's in the east.

When Best Foods acquired the Hellmann's brand, it decided to keep the respective recipes for both mayonnaises. However, at least as recently as June 2003, the recipes were almost identical. From the company's FAQs at the time: "The products are basically the same.

1920. The deli that would become our birthplace opened its doors right in the heart of New York City — Columbus Avenue, Manhattan. Richard began creating his now legendary mayonnaise. Jars were filled to the brim with a delicious blend of ingredients picked to create the ultimate creamy texture and taste.

1927. Postum Foods (later Best Foods) acquired the Hellmann's brand in 1927.

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.

Schlorer's Mayonnaise is credited as being the first mayonnaise put in jars and sold commercially, in 1907. The first products trademarked by the Schlorer Delicatessen Company were Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise and Mrs. Schlorer's Olivenaise in 1917.

Duke'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.

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.

The sugar used to make Miracle Whip accounts for why it tastes noticeably sweeter than regular mayonnaise. Some store-bought mayonnaise, such as Hellmann's, contains sugar in its ingredient list, but not enough to detect a sweet taste like Miracle Whip.

When I moved east, I learned that Hellmann's, which is owned by the same company that owns Best Foods, is a nearly identical recipe. Even the blue label with its reassuring sweet ribbon on it is the same. My love easily transferred and has never, ever left.