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Buzz Feed
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
What's The Best Mayo? A Taste Test Of 8 Brands
Breaking mayo news from BuzzFeed Tasty office in New York City!!! After a multi-pronged evaluation and spirited debate that left several employees with mild stomach distress, we've officially crowned the MOST GOOD MAYO of them all. It's big. It's creamy. It's. So. Real. We know that all condiments are not created equal, so we set out to rank eight popular mayos from worst to best. Mayonnaise typically only needs three ingredients: oil, eggs, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Seems simple — how much variation could there be?! We are about to find out... Before we dig in, let's define the gold standard: The ideal mayo is silky, creamy (not greasy), thick enough for dipping, and smooth enough to spread. Flavor-wise, it's all about balance — rich and eggy with a bright, tangy lift. Clean, craveable, and just indulgent enough. Now it's time to meet the contestants: We rounded up a mix of the iconic and the intriguing for our mayo taste test. First, the classics: Hellmann's (the undisputed staple), Duke's (a Southern favorite), Kewpie (the umami-packed Japanese import that's taken the world's pantry by storm), and Miracle Whip (the depression-era imitation mayo that is too iconic and chaotic to leave out). Then came the new wave of creamy contenders: Sir Kensington's (the artisanal disruptor), Molly Baz's Ayoh! (the it-girl, aesthetic newcomer), Generic (the no-frills wildcard), and Glen Powell's Smash Kitchen (the buzzy new celebrity entry we couldn't ignore). When stars start slinging mayo, you know Tasty has to taste test. Mayo, the ever-divisive condiment, is critical for three things: sandwiches, creamy salad dressings, and as a sauce for dipping! So it was vital we tried each mayonnaise in these three culinary situations: First, in a classic potato salad... Second, slathered on a simple tomato and white bread sandwich... And finally — because we are brave and this is for science — we tasted each mayonnaise on its own... To keep things as fair as possible, we did a blind taste test. To keep each brand a secret that only I would know, I gave them alphabetical aliases. I had probably too much fun naming each of them and got emotionally attached, only to devour them Yellowjackets style. Yikes. After turning our office kitchen into a potluck that was almost as pale as I am, it was time to taste. We rated each mayo for taste and texture, and gave our very honest opinions for each one. Turns out Google Forms are good for more than just HR surveys and event sign-ins; they're perfect for an in-depth condiment taste test, too! Another key factor in our ranking was cost. While price didn't influence the taste test, it absolutely matters when deciding which mayo to actually buy. I calculated the cost per ounce for each brand and included it in the rankings — and some of the results might surprise you. Quick note on pricing: These costs are based on what I paid here in NYC. For example, Molly Baz's mayo was only available at a specialty health store, so there was a slight markup. Prices may vary depending on your location and where you shop, but this breakdown should give a solid sense of overall affordability. And with that, here were the top four BEST mayos, ranked from "good" to "exceptional": 4. MIRACLE WHIP — You either love this nostalgic depression-era dupe for the actual condiment or you're deeply confused by it. In our tasting, most of us landed somewhere in between. Texture-wise, it fared surprisingly well: 'Very good texture! Rich and creamy without being gloopy,' said Ross. Raven praised its smooth spreadability, saying it 'mixes well with the flavors of the sandwiches and the potato salads.' One thing I will say is that this sauce is so gray compared to the others. The color reeeaally threw us off, TBH. Also, the sweetness. Nearly every taster commented on how sugary this stuff is, Sarah comparing it to 'a gummy candy but… mayo.' Ross put it bluntly: 'It's not gross, but this isn't mayo?? It's sugar sauce.' Megan said it reminded her of 'bread and butter pickles — and [she hates] bread and butter pickles,' while Sarah was ruthless, dubbing it 'sweet, but in a bland way. Like Tate McRae.' There were hints of vinegar, maybe mustard, maybe… who knows? It's definitely unique, and has its place, but mostly that place is in '50s-style ambrosia salad or in a very specific kind of chicken salad (i.e., Nicholas Sparks' Splenda one). OVERALL SCORE: 2.9/5 3. DUKE'S — Duke's is like the Dolly Parton of condiments — Southern, blonde, has a little bite, and a LOT of devoted fans. Even tasting it blind, Megan picked up on the "nostalgic" quality of it — it's a true classic mayo. When I tasted it blind, I called it "a good blank canvas for sauces or salads" and Claudia was into its signature punch: 'I actually love the saltiness of this one… it definitely has a STRONG vinegar taste. She gave it a 4/5 and admitted, 'this one lingers for sure.' One thing to note is that this was the most affordable mayo of the bunch, and even cheaper than the generic brand. We liked the tang, but when it came to texture, Duke's fell short. Sarah said it was 'thick, but not creamy. Very... goopy,' and Raven doubled down: 'It's really thick and not creamy in a good way. When you lick it on its own, it covers the whole tongue.' Ross described it as having a 'tannic quality that sticks on your tongue,' and Claudia just summed it up with: 'I can't get over the goopiness of this one.' OVERALL: 3/5 2. HELLMAN'S — If mayonnaise had a starter pack, Hellmann's would be in it — and in our taste test, this classic came very close to the top. It's got a creamy, familiar vibe that just feels right. Megan only had two words for the texture of this one, and she summed it up perfectly: 'So creamy!' Ross added, 'Very tasty! Perfect amount of salt and a little hit of acid without feeling overly rich or creamy. I liked this one a lot!' Some of us thought it was a bit underseasoned. Raven noted it was "not salty at all," and Sarah called it "bland." Still, the mild flavor profile worked in its favor — Megan 'didn't notice the flavor in the sandwich or the potato salad," but she conceded: "I feel like for mayo, that's the point.' Claudia liked the level of acidity in this sauce, saying: "I weirdly like the taste of this one better on the tomato sandwich than on the potato salad, maybe because it's a little more vinegary and acidic than some of the others we tasted. Overall, pretty average mayo! If I had to guess, I'd say this is the generic one."A few tasters did wish for a bit more oomph, though. I thought it was 'a little too fatty," arguing it 'needs more vinegar or something.' So, while it didn't wow across the board, it also didn't offend, which is kind of Hellmann's whole thing. Dependable, versatile, and hard to hate. If mayo were a boyfriend, this would be the nice guy your parents love. OVERALL SCORE: 3.8/5 Now it's time for the moment of truth... I only have one mayo in my (metaphorical) hands, and this condiment is the winner of America's Next Top Mayo... 1. KEWPIE — This Japanese import slayed the competition, with multiple testers giving it perfect 5's across the board. Megan didn't hold back: 'This is everything a mayo should be, IMO… I would serve this mayo to the queen.' Sarah went even further saying, 'I would die for this mayo in battle.' Texture-wise, Kewpie nailed that creamy-meets-luxurious sweet spot. 'The perfect texture — thick, but not TOO thick,' said Sarah. Ross agreed: 'SO THICK! So rich!' but added it wasn't gloopy, which is key. Claudia was also on board: 'Creamy and thick without being GOOPY. I hate goop!!' (Relatable. Sorry, Gwenyth.) Taste-wise, Kewpie delivered a complex flavor profile that stood out in every dish. 'Perfect level of acidity and umami,' I wrote, giving it a 5/5 for taste, concluding: 'Honestly, no notes.' Sarah praised the sweetness, while Claudia noted it was 'well-balanced,' even if she 'could use more salt (but [she's] a salty gal).' Ross thought the oil was sliiiightly stale, but still gave it a perfect score thanks to its 'eggy (not in a bad way!) and luxurious' flavor. OVERALL SCORE: 4.6/5 If you want a mayo that goes beyond background noise and brings star power to your sandwiches, salads, and even spoon-licking moments, this is the one. And even though it is slightly more expensive than Duke's or Hellman's, our score cards might convince you it's worth the extra cents. Long live KEWPIE. Kewpie stands out by using only egg yolks, which gives it a rich, custardy taste and silky texture — and clearly, we're obsessed. FINAL THOUGHTS: I asked my tasters which condiment worked best on a sandwich, in a salad, and as a sauce for dipping on its own. Most of us chose Kewpie mayo for all three, but a few chose Hellman's as their favorite dipping sauce and salad dressing. Claudia caused a small upset when she chose generic (*gasp*) as her preferred sandwich condiment! When I asked: "If you were being sent to a deserted island and could only take one stable emulsified sauce with you, which would you choose? What's your ultimate mayo?" the choice was almost unanimous: KEWPIE! So there you have it, folks. your favorite mayos, and our unfiltered thoughts. Eight sandwiches, four pounds of potato salad, and one too many spoonfuls of straight mayo later, we can say with confidence: Kewpie is the definition of elite. As for me, I'm officially on a creamy condiment cleanse starting… right now. Seriously, after this tasting, we were stuffed — and struggling to waddle back to our desks. And if you're suddenly craving a dish with that creamy goodness only mayo can supply, download the free Tasty app and search "mayonnaise" for hundreds of mayo-y recipes.
Business Mayor
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
From Molly Baz to ‘The OG Influencers': Bobbie Spotlights Everyday Moms
Bobbie, the fast-growing formula brand, follows its groundbreaking Times Square billboard of Molly Baz breastfeeding her infant with three new ads heralding everyday moms as 'the OG influencers.' The startup will use the high-profile media buy in midtown Manhattan to feature as many as a dozen of its customers in the campaign, debuting for Mother's Day and running through the year. While the company has collaborated with a number of celebrities and internet stars—Naomi Osaka, Ashley Graham, and Baz among them—the new work pulls from Bobbie's community of loyalists. 'We realize the power of this location—it's the mecca of billboards, and it gets people talking,' Kim Chappell, chief brand officer, told ADWEEK. 'We wanted to use it to make these moms feel special and seen as the original influencers, with no blue checks or big followings required.' The initial ads do not include images of women breastfeeding their babies—part of the controversy over the Baz billboard—but Chappell said the company 'will continue to show authentic feeding journeys, and that includes breastfeeding' during the campaign's run. Bobbie searched for customer stories in a few major metro markets, deciding to highlight three women for the 2025 launch: Melissa, who is in her 40s and had a complicated road to pregnancy through IVF; Leila, who combo feeds her newborn with breast milk and formula; and Mojdeh, a 54-year-old mom of a preemie. The women got the glam treatment, including hair, makeup, and styling with their little ones, along with a professional photo shoot. They were under the impression that their ads would appear mostly in social content—they were not told about the Times Square billboards. Read More Datalex gets some welcome good news Part of the women's participation in the campaign included a trip to New York for a meet-and-greet with brand founder Laura Modi. When they stepped out of cars at the bustling location, they saw the massive outdoor ads for the first time. A video crew captured the reveal and their reactions: No surprise, happy tears ensued.
New York Times
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
It's Still April Fools' Day on Social Media
April 1 always seems to begin with social media users reminding everyone that it's April Fools' Day. At this point, do we really need a reminder? Brands and celebrities give it a go every year, often with extremely elaborate posts that fool almost no one. From truly outlandish ideas, like the French embassy claiming the Louvre Museum would be turned into a Bass Pro, to ones that seem reasonable, like 'The Great British Bake Off' adding air-conditioning to its tents, Tuesday has been a day of briefly raised eyebrows followed by a slight nod as you return to scrolling. Here's some of the posts that have stood out from the pack, for better or worse. Mayonnaise Made of Breast Milk? Few food items have inspired as much social media discourse as the $19 strawberry — yes, a single strawberry — that Erewhon, a grocery chain in Southern California, imports from Japan. Welch's, known for its tiny packs of fruit snacks, showed some internet fluency by lampooning that concept with their '$19 Welch's Fruit Snacks Single Strawberry.' The post, which has been up for a few days, encourages people to 'indulge in the ultimate, single-bite experience — because some moments are too precious to share.' Molly Baz, who had a 'provocative' — and earnest — Times Square billboard for a lactation cookie recipe briefly removed last year, took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to post about how she produces so much breast milk that she is rolling out a line of breast milk mayonnaise made with her excess supply. She added that 'for obvious reasons this is a limited run — we've got about 500 bottles so first come first serve till they're gone.' Another sign it was fake: Most mayo does not contain milk. In at least one case, a company created a fake product that people actually wanted. Cadbury, which is known for Easter treats, posted about Creme Egg on the Goo, which is a to-go packet of Creme Egg filling. The post began with the message 'Move over boring condiments,' and included a video in which the sugary substance is squeezed onto French fries. The comments section had numerous people saying they would love this product — but not on fries. Understand Your Dogs The gaming brand Razer tackled Gen Alpha slang with a YouTube video for the Razer Skibidi, which it said was 'the world's first A.I.-powered brainrot translator headset.' The headset can translate what others are saying and will also convert anything you say into something more brainrot appropriate. Very sigma. ElevenLabs, a software company that developed various text-to-speech and speech-to-text models, said it was taking 'one small step for man, and one giant leap for man's best friend' with Text to Bark AI, the world's first text-to-speech software — for dogs. Nothing, a tech gear company, posted a video on X of Ear (3.5mm), a pair of headphones that has a 50-meter cord. The company called the product 'beautifully inconvenient.' Decidedly Random If you have to immediately say you were telling a joke, it wasn't a very good one. So consider the fact that Tiger Woods waited only six minutes before revealing his post about his imminent return from injury was an April Fools joke. The quick reveal could have been influenced by the commentator Jason Whitlock congratulating Mr. Woods, declaring the news 'amazing' and 'unreal' in two different posts before admitting 'he got me.' In a collaborative effort they said could 'turn 'oops' into 'ooh la la,'' Josh Cellars wines and Joss and Main furniture showed off a couch and a chair that came with a design that looks like stains from a glass of red wine. Adding some cringe, Joss and Main then commented on the post, saying, '#justjoshing you.' It can be hard to tell what is real or fake in the world of cryptocurrency, but Kent Fuchs, the interim president of the University of Florida, tried to have some fun with a video about his school introducing its own meme coin, Foxy Gator or FXG. He had plenty of help from other university employees, and in case anyone was fooled, he reveals toward the end of the video that the point of the coin is to 'Fund Kent's Retirement.' Timing Is Everything Duolingo, the language-learning app, had a fairly solid April Fools concept that it let play out — in February. The app declared on Feb. 11 that its cartoon mascot, Duo, had died. 'Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know,' it said, The prank received a lot of attention, with the pop star Dua Lipa being among those to mourn Duo, saying 'Til' death duo part.' A few weeks later, the company brought Duo back to life. As far as brand attempts to get attention go, the stunt worked well. But it left Duolingo with a fairly uninspired effort for April Fools' Day: The company posted a video on Tuesday about the Duolingo World Cruise, where you will learn to speak like a local 'everywhere you go,' as a result of the cruise's taking five years.
