Hellmann's

More than mayonnaise

The Hellmann's worldwide brand family, consisting of Hellmann's, Amora, Calvé and Wish-Bone, is the largest dressings business around the globe. Hellmann's is also the world's no. 1 mayonnaise brand.

How it all began

Hellmann's was born in 1905 when Richard Hellmann began selling mayonnaise made from his wife's own recipe. Used in salads and sold in their New York delicatessen, the mayonnaise proved so popular that Hellmann began selling it in 'wooden boats' used for weighing butter. 

Hellmann's mayonnaise arrived in the UK in 1961. Mayonnaise was a relatively new concept in Britain so the early years were spent educating people and promoting the product as a 'side of plate' condiment. 

By the late 1980s the brand was well-established and advertised as 'the only mayonnaise', claiming over half of the market. In a time of greater health awareness, people also responded well to the introduction of the Light variety with less fat and fewer calories, so much so that an Extra Light, containing 5% fat – was added to the range.

So transform a plain sandwich into a delight worthy of a New York Deli, by smearing some Hellmann’s Mayonnaise onto two slices of bread, and loading up with your favourite fillings.

Necessity is the mother of invention

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and that's certainly the case with mayonnaise. In 1756 the French chef of the Duke de Richelieu was preparing a feast after the Duke defeated the British at Port Mahon. When he realised that he had no cream to make sauce he improvised with olive oil. A new culinary masterpiece was born, and the chef named it "Mahonnaise" in honor of the Duke's victory.

Did you know?

• Hellmann's mayonnaise can even be used as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet because of its unsaturated fatty acids?
• One teaspoon of mayonnaise constiutes only 2% of your average daily energy intake (based on a daily intake of 2250 kcals)?

From our range