Salad cream

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Salad cream
Heinz Salad Cream.jpg
Heinz Salad Cream
Origin
Place of origin United Kingdom
Creator(s) Heinz
Details
Type Salad dressing
Main ingredient(s) Oil, water, egg yolks, spirit vinegar

Salad cream is a creamy yellow condiment based on an emulsion of about 25-50 percent of oil in water, emulsified by egg yolk and acidified by spirit vinegar. It may include other ingredients such as sugar, mustard, salt, thickener, spices, flavouring and colouring.[1] It was introduced in the United Kingdom in the 1920s,[2] where it is used as a salad dressing and a sandwich spread. Due to the higher cost of ingredients during periods of rationing in the United Kingdom a flavour similar to mayonnaise was achieved in the creation of salad cream.

Brands [edit]

In the UK it has been produced by companies including H. J. Heinz Company and Crosse & Blackwell. Heinz Salad Cream was the first brand developed exclusively for the U.K. market. When first created in the Harlesden (London) kitchens of Heinz in 1925 the preparation was done by hand. The jars were packed in straw-lined barrels- 12 dozen in each. The work schedule was 180 dozen jars a day- with a halfpenny a dozen bonus if the workforce could beat the target. [3]

Heinz and Crosse & Blackwell brands are available in most supermarkets in Canada.

Salad cream was not readily available in the United States until the 21st century; however, with the large population of British expatriates, especially in the Northeast, it is becoming more common. Apart from many expat stores, major retail supermarket chains such as New York based Wegmans, Maine-based Hannaford, Massachusetts-based Stop and Shop, southern chain Publix, Michigan-based Meijer, and California-based Fresh & Easy (owned by British Tesco) now sell salad cream as a regular item. Many supermarkets sell national and store brands of salad dressing which resemble salad cream.

Salad cream is available in most supermarkets in Canada, Australia and Ireland as well.

References [edit]

  1. ^ Food industries manual By M.D. Ranken, C. Baker, R. C. Kill, p358. Extracts available on Google Books [1]
  2. ^ UK Ministry of food rules, 1945
  3. ^ Heinz. "Heinz Salad Cream". Retrieved 7 July 2011. 

External links [edit]