Taste test

MAYONNAISE

If you’ve ever made mayonnaise from scratch, you’ll know that it’s a labour-intensive process, but one that’s well worth the effort. Do any of the commercial options come close?

Stokes Real Mayonnaise, 345g, €4.85, 7/10

Our testers found this mayonnaise quite sweettasting and sugar is indeed one of the ingredients — not something we would ever have thought of including. (Examining the labels, it turned out that all the mayonnaises tested contained sugar.) The texture is nicely creamy and the flavour good. Our testers thought it would go well with fish. Expensive though. 742 calories per 100g.

Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, 600g, €3 (special offer in Dunnes, usually €4.29), 7/10

Hellmann’s is the brand that’s first on everyone’s lips when mayonnaise is mentioned. Tested against the others, it’s surprisingly salty on the palate; the consistency is good. 721 calories per 100g.

Bramwells Real Mayonnaise, 475g, €1.49, 7/10

The labelling of this Aldi mayo is very close to Hellmann’s; the flavour isn’t that different either but it’s significantly cheaper. 722 calories per 100g.

Dunnes Real Mayonnaise, 425ml, €2, 7/10

Our testers liked this mayonnaise from Dunnes, which has quite a sharp, vinegary taste. 705 calories per 100g.

Heinz Seriously Good Mayonnaise, 395g, €3.99, 6/10

The World Cup branding on the squeezy bottle will appeal to a certain cohort; the mayonnaise inside is runnier than the others tested and the flavour bland but not unpleasant. 644 calories per 100g.

Simply Delicious Organic Mayonnaise, 300ml, €4.99, 5/10

The flavour of this organic mayonnaise reminded our testers of salad cream; they thought the price high. It’s the only one of the mayonnaises tested that uses sunflower rather than rapeseed oil. 680 calories per 100ml.