Is There A Difference Between Mayonnaise And Salad Cream?
BY JOHN TOLLEY
Despite the name, salad cream isn't just meant for salad and doesn't contain cream. Rather, it's a spread similar to mayonnaise with a few distinct characteristics of its own.
Popular in the U.K., salad cream is a descendant of boiled dressing made by cooking egg yolks, vinegar, and seasonings in a double boiler to create a luscious sauce.
Heinz introduced bottled salad cream to the U.K. public in 1914, and while it was originally intended for salads, the condiment has since become popular for sandwiches and dips.
Compared to mayo, salad cream has half the calorie content and a third of the fat content since it doesn't contain any oil, but it does contain more sugar and salt than mayo.
Mayo is similar, consisting of egg yolks and vinegar, but it also contains oil. Instead of cooking it, it's emulsified by whisking to create a thick, creamy consistency.
Mayo is a classic French sauce, and like salad cream, it has become popular for sandwiches, salad dressings, dips, and the base of sauces like tartar sauce.
Generally, mayo and salad cream can be used interchangeably, but note that mayo has a richer, fattier flavor with a bit of zest, while salad cream has a sweet, acidic bite.