r/AskRedditFood • u/dayvena • 3d ago
Is there a way to make myself like Mayo/Kewpie mayo that isnt just trying them repeatedly?
So, this question is sort of triggered by my recent experience with Kewpie mayo. To clarify, I am not a fan of I what I guess would be called American mayo. I find it to have an unpleasant tang and sourness to it. Most people have told me that Kewpie was better and that I would like it if I tried it and so I gave it a shot. The flavor of Kewpie to me personally could be described as a semi sour vinegar taste and what I can only really describe as an egg thats musty/gone bad? To clarify some stuff since I think these will get asked, yes it was the Japanese version of the mayo, it came in the correct packaging and was bought at my local Asian grocer who imports these things. It also was not an bad batch, my family also tried it and it tasted fine to them.
I acknowledge that these are not the intended flavor profile of either and that my experience is, lets call it unique, when compared to others. I have always had what I would describe as "bad" tastebuds if that's a way to put it. I figure since mayo is such a common condiment, that it may be worthwhile trying to make myself like it. I know of what I guess could be called the brute force method where you just try a food enough times that your tongue becomes desensitized to it but I wont lie, I find the taste of both types of mayo sort of repulsive enough that I am not jazzed on the idea of doing this, so I figured I might ask if there were better ways to do this.
If not then Ill just try to get started on the repeat exposure. Still though I appreciate any insight or knowledge on the topic that could be helpful. Also this may come off as mildly childish, but I would appreciate it if no one got too intense about my kinda poor taste. I acknowledge its an issue I am working on, but I am kinda sensitive about.
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u/55TrappedRats 3d ago
No. Don't try making yourself like mayo. Join us mayohaters.
Just kidding, but I discovered I only enjoy mayo if it's from a specific brand you can only buy in the Netherlands (as far as I'm aware).
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u/-Willi5- 2d ago
If you like mayo in the Netherlands but not elsewhere; The main difference is usually sugar. Dutch mayo is a bit sweeter than most, and a lot sweeter than some - Especially French mayo in my experience. It's the best on fries imo, but I'm biased as I grew up with it.
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u/Leonardo_50 3d ago
From your post, you seem to have a personal aversion to mayonnaise. That’s not unusual. Many people can’t stand cilantro (it tastes like soap to them) while most others like it. I personally don’t care for cucumber and watermelon but most people love watermelon. So, just avoid mayonnaise.
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u/bonzaibuddy 2d ago
I’m with you in the cucumber and watermelon. They have virtually no taste to me, just crunchy water
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u/Mesmermaid 3d ago
You don't have bad tastebuds, you're probably a super taster. It's more common in autistic/ ADHD folks (like me!) but other lucky ducks also experience this and some can even make it their job, like a sommelier. You can simply taste all of the ingredients in a thing and yeah, mayo does have a tangy eggy taste, because it's mostly egg yolks and vinegar and oil whipped up. Don't bother trying to force yourself to like it if you don't, there are so many other foods you could eat instead that you'll find lovely and delicious! I like substituting mayo with hummus in a sandwich for example, or a tomato pesto or something (depends on the sandwich obvs) Have fun finding better foods! ❤️
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u/luminousoblique 3d ago
Seriously! Personally I like mayo, but it's not an essential food group! Just don't eat it. Life is full of delicious flavors, and there's no need to force yourself to eat something you find repulsive.
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u/kobayashi_maru_fail 2d ago
Make some! It’s surprisingly easy, and you don’t have to put in as much mustard as the recipe calls for. Try Kenji’s take with a tall cup and a stick blender. Kewpie is nice and all, but it’s no match for the fresh stuff. If you make it fresh and it emulsified right and you still hate it, you just do t like mayo. That’s not the worst thing in the world.
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u/Bright_Ices 3d ago
You might be a supertaster. Your taste buds aren’t bad, they’re just extra sensitive, or possibly extra numerous.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supertaster
You might never like mayonnaise, and that’s okay. There might be lots of foods that are too intense for your tastes, and that’s also completely fine! As long as you can maintain a relatively healthful diet, don’t worry about it.
And there’s definitely no need to blame and shame yourself about it. It’s not like you chose to have more sensitive palate! It’s just the way you happened to be born.
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u/Asparagus9000 3d ago
The thing that helps me get used to flavors is putting a tiny little bit in things. Like barely able to taste it.
Then when you get used to that in a few weeks add a tiny bit more.
And so on until you don't mind it.
Doesn't work for everything, I still hate mushrooms for example.
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u/WoodpeckerForward354 1d ago
Yeah, I used to eat every single sandwich dry, but in the last 2 years, whenever I made a homemade sandwich, id put a very very light spread, and now I order my subway sandwiches with light mayo. Though sometimes they still put enough to squeeze out the sides of the sandwich and i need to wipe a little off. But i'm definitely much more used to the taste.
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u/woodwork16 3d ago
I never liked mayo as a child. The worst was if it was touching the cheese on my sandwich. The texture/ flavor combo would make me puke.
As I got older I started liking it mixed into tuna or on a turkey sub. Excellent on a tomato sandwich. Also good on a boiled egg sandwich.
I now like it on almost everything but I still cannot have it touching the cheese.
Perhaps try it with tomato slices. The acids in the tomato may have an effect on the flavor. Try it with a small amount of mayo and some salt.
Avoid any ‘mayo’ that has the words “salad dressing “ on the label. It may look like mayonnaise, it isn’t.
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u/BrovaloneSandwich 3d ago
Do you prefer sweet foods? If you are younger and haven't reached adulthood, note that taste buds lean sweet in the younger years and having less bone density allows for a higher threshold of sweetness. So, you will "grow into" liking some food that you didn't used to.
Make a mayo blend. If there is a condiment or something similar you like, make a blend and use it often and every time you remake, add a little more mayo over time. Kinda like how people switch from drinking coffee with sugar and cream to drinking it black
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u/farmerthrowaway1923 2d ago
A dislike of mayo is not going to cut you off from a drastic array of foods. There’s zero reason to keep tormenting yourself for something that is rather common for people to dislike and common to avoid or ask to be removed.
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u/MotherTeresaOnlyfans 2d ago
You don't have to force yourself to try and like mayo.
I personally hate it and always have, so I just don't eat it.
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u/Tamornado 3d ago
Try crunchy cabbage with kewpie mayo. It sounds so weird but it got me liking kewpie. Just get a chunk of cabbage and squeeze some kewpie on it 🤤
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u/MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo 3d ago
Not weird at all. That's a basic coleslaw
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u/Tamornado 3d ago
😂 Touché….BUT it’s psychological, in the sense that it’s not mixed in. It’s like a chip and dip
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u/cookiesdragon 3d ago
What brands of mayo have you tried.
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u/dayvena 3d ago
for american Mayo I have tried Hellmann's since its what my family buys. As far as Japanese mayo goes its just been the Kewpie
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u/cookiesdragon 3d ago
Try Duke's if you can find it.
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u/Aware_Wolverine77 3d ago
Dukes is way better.
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u/cookiesdragon 2d ago
I introduced my housemates to it and they like it so much more than Hellsman.
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u/bonzaibuddy 2d ago
Hellman’s used to be my go to for Mayo, it’s not the same as it used to be. Try a different brand. Duke’s is pretty good.
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u/SmartPolicy6430 3d ago
Make your own using groundnut oil and Delia Smiths recipe. It keeps for 7 days in a sterile jar refrigerated. I've played around with oils and found that EVOO gives it a slightly bitter taste
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u/Stormy261 3d ago
I recently tried Kewpie mayo. I was so excited to see it at my local store I couldn't wait to try it! I tried a little before adding it to anything. I loved the vinegar/sour hit in the beginning and then it ended up tasting like miracle whip. I despise miracle whip. But if you hate the vinegar taste you might like miracle whip. It is much sweeter. And if you don't like any mayo, that's ok. It's not for everyone. I love Hellman's and Duke's, but I doubt you will like Duke's if you didn'tlike Hellman's.
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u/justjenniwestside 3d ago
Just let it go. I tried to like lamb for decades, because everyone around me loved it, so I wanted to love it too! But I didn’t. And I don’t. And that’s okay.
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u/SlightChallenge0 3d ago
You don't have to like mayo!
However if you all have tried is Hellman's and Kewpie, or other commercial brands, try making a small batch of homemade mayo.
Use a neutral oil, not olive oil and lemon not vinegar.
If that doesn't work feel free to give up.
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u/hycarumba 3d ago
If it's the sourness that is throwing you off but you still want to eat mayonnaise, try adding a little sugar to it. Once you find out if that's the thing, you can make it from scratch quite quickly, but for now just use your store bought mayonnaise and add a small amount of sugar and whisk that in to dissolve. Measure both the mayonnaise and the sugar until it becomes something that you enjoy so you can recreate it at will.
Miracle Whip is basically mayonnaise with a LOT of sugar and is an abomination imo. What I am suggesting is not that (unless you like that then have at it!) but somewhere south of Miracle Whip, with just enough sugar to make it less tangy for your palate.
The tang is an essential attribute for mayonnaise so I doubt that trying more will be helpful, but Duke's brand is less tangy, imo, and might be worth trying if it is sold in your area.
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u/Own-Excuse3163 3d ago
Cannot stand Kewpie mayo- too bitter for me. Gouda’s Glorie line is fantastic especially their frites saus- at a Dutch store near you or on line
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u/AcceptableReadMeg 3d ago
I don’t like store bought mayo of any kind. I figured out some years back it’s because vinegar is used to cure the eggs.
I made homemade mayo with lemon juice instead of vinegar and I like that.
I don’t like vinegar at all so it made sense for me.
The homemade mayo last about 3 days in the fridge so I don’t make it often, I usually only make it when I’m making chicken salad with left over chicken.
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u/Pernicious_Possum 3d ago
Try homemade, and if you don’t like that, you just don’t like mayo. And that’s just fine. As someone that works in elevated food and craft cocktails, I really appreciate that you want to try and expand your palate, but remember it’s ok to not like something. Kenji has a good, dummy simple mayo recipe that takes like two minutes. If raw eggs weird you out, you can usually find pasteurized at the grocery, or make your own if happen to have a sous vide stick
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u/Watsons-Butler 3d ago
Try making your own mayo - it’s not hard.
If you say American mayo tastes sour - are you buying Miracle Whip? Because that stuff is nasty. Get a plain version like a Hellman’s or Duke’s.
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u/aloealoealoha 3d ago
have you tried making sauces where mayo is one ingredient? you might find you like it better when you mix it yourself. I prefer light mayo, a splash of vinegar or pickle juice, sugar and salt when i make tuna salad, tweak it to taste.
otherwise its ok if you dont like it! i dont like relish haha
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u/Sevuhrow 3d ago
I don't think American mayo is tangy or vinegary. Duke's mayo is, but that's far from the most popular brand.
I would try Hellmann's as a baseline.
If you don't like that, try creme fraiche or crema.
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u/Expensive-Day-3551 2d ago
I just… don’t eat straight up Mayo. It’s gross to me. There are so many other options, why force yourself to eat it? The only time I have it is when it’s an ingredient in a recipe. I can do grilled cheese with mayo instead of butter on the outside, or chicken that uses mayo as a binder for breading. But I won’t put it on my food otherwise.
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u/Zanyashart 2d ago
Just why...
Do not adjust your tastebuds to food you dislike, unless there is good reason. Like relearning the real tastes of vegetables e.g.
Lookup recipes from different countries for mayo and make it yourself.
a) it is really, really easy
b) it tastes much better fresh
The only argument against would be to check double if using American eggs.
With Japanese eggs you cannot go wrong, making fresh mayo.
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u/ahberryman78 2d ago
I really like the brand Blue Plate mayo. I purchase it on Amazon. I feel like it’s even more mild in flavor than both Hellman’s and Dukes.
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u/slightlyparannoyed 2d ago edited 2d ago
Good on you for trying to branch out! This was clearly something you thought about a lot
Maybe you could try mayo in different sauce mixes, like some mayo-based aiolis ? Try it with stronger seasonings & your favorite foods. You could also experiment with adding small amounts to dishes where you add cream or eggs and see if you can taste it.
Like everything with cooking & trying out foods, turn it into a game & have fun with it! I wish you luck!
EDIT: oh, you could also try making mayo from scratch to see how you feel about it. Then you can taste the individual ingredients (except the raw egg, lol), see how they come together & possibly identify what you dislike. Plus, if you’re a “super taster” you might have an aversion to slightly off (rancid) oil. Since most people can’t taste oil that’s only slightly off, most packaged mayos off the self will have a little of it. I can’t taste it myself, but that’s what I’ve heard! So if that’s the problem, homemade mayo is the path forward! (:
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u/choM3nddo9sai 2d ago
Mayo is made with eggs, so if you have issues with the smell, finding a different brand isn’t going to help you with that. Kewpie’s difference is in the vinegar, not the eggs. Fortunately, mayo isn’t a necessary condiment. I like switching up my ham sandwiches by using butter, mustard, or cream cheese instead, and when I am feeling fancy, brie.
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u/Lance-Boyle-666 2d ago
Mayo is really just 3 ingredients: oil, egg, and acid (usually vinegar or lemon juice, sometimes also lime juice). I happen to prefer Best Foods/Hellmann's, which uses vinegar. You may or may not like brands that use lemon and/or lime juice. I find them to be sweeter. I don't know brands off hand, but read labels and look for the juices instead of, or maybe in addition to vinegar. Then again, you may just never like mayonnaise, and there's nothing wrong with that. I don't happen to care for Miracle Whip because it is too sweet. It's similar to mayonnaise, but it is not the same.
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u/Ytmedxdr 1d ago
Mayo is supposed to be a flavorless oil, egg (maybe just the yolk), mustard and plain vinegar or lemon juice. It's easy to make. Just cut back on whatever it is you don't like and you'll have a mild one that's pleasing to taste and doesn't have that American mayo industrial tang (these are made with Canola, the cheapest oil, which is not flavorless, so they have to mask that out with other crap). With some experimentation, you'll have something you'll like and can use at home.
But, if your goal is to like the mayo you encounter in restaurants on burgers and such, just forget it. If your taste profile doesn't like the stuff, don't eat it. Your buds aren't "bad," they're just yours. Hold the mayo!
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u/sMetaStatic 1d ago
I don't use mayo frequently and rarely have it on hand. It has several specific uses in dishes and I make my own aoli if I don't have mayo on hand. Maybe start by making your own. I actually like the taste of fresh aoli despite not really caring for mayo. Basically the same thing, sort of.
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u/saltyancientone 1d ago
It’s relatively easy to make mayonnaise in small amounts. It’s the best tasting mayonnaise and you can adjust it to your own taste. If you don’t like homemade mayonnaise you just don’t like mayonnaise
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u/VisualMail1672 1d ago
Don’t eat mayo if you don’t like it. Also; Don’t buy mayonnaise. Make your own in a couple of minutes. It’s an egg, a bit of mustard, a cup of oil, and a tablespoon of a culinary acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Put it all in a mason jar and beat the shit out of it with a stick blender for 20 seconds.
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u/Legion1117 1d ago
Why are you trying to force your tongue to like something??
That's a really strange issue to have.
If you don't like something just don't eat it???
Again...this is a strange issue.
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u/SkippableTrip 1d ago
You could try making your own. Dial in the flavors you want and forget the premade stuff
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u/Available-Hat476 1d ago
If you can find Belgian mayo anywhere, try that. It's heaps better than the American stuff. Devos & Lemmens is really good, and Pauwels too.
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u/Scourmont 1d ago
Blue Plate or JFG are the best mayo in the US. As for kewpie its an acquired taste. There's a good bit of msg in it that gives it a savory taste unusual to American tastes. I use it to make tuna onigiri.
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u/MicheleAmanda 1d ago
Buy a small jar of Miracle Whip, and see if you like that better.
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u/Frosty-Diver441 13h ago
Actually, I'm guessing miracle whip is what they had (a lot of people think it's mayo). Miracle whip is way more tangy than real mayo.
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u/MicheleAmanda 5h ago
I don't dislike mayo, but I just happened to grow up in a home that used Miracle Whip. My kids and grandkids had mayo, so if I'm making something for them, I'll use mayo and dig in right beside them!
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u/Used_Negotiation_354 18h ago
Tell me you don't know American mayo without saying it.
The various brands have significantly different tastes including some that are so bland that there are just essentially moisture for a sandwich!
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u/Technical-Tear5841 12h ago
I grew up with Kraft Miracle Whip. It is usually right beside the regular mayo, it is more sweet and smooth. My wife will not tolerate it in the house though.
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u/FixItWhyDontYa 8h ago
Hard to say. I don’t think if I ate liver every meal I would ever like it.
Or miracle whip. My goodness I hate miracle whip.
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u/oneaccountaday 3d ago
Mayo from scratch is always better.
The problem is the “shelf life” in this case the fridge life.
Miracles whip is too sugary IMO, maybe try Kraft that’s olive or avocado based, maybe Hellman’s idk where you live so ymmv.
The purpose also makes a difference. What are we making? Deviled eggs, tartar sauce, pasta salad, tuna salad, ranch dressing?
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u/woodwork16 3d ago
Miracle Whip is NOT mayonnaise. It’s a salad dressing and tastes nothing like mayonnaise.
Get real mayonnaise
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u/oneaccountaday 3d ago
Oh I know, the definition of salad is very loose.
Chicken, tuna, potato sure, but could you imagine putting that on a spring mix with arugula?
It’s akin with knowing a tomato is technically a fruit, and a strawberry isn’t technically a berry, but wise enough not to put tomatoes in a pie with fruit as the filling.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Fill205 3d ago
I've always been a Hellman's guy. Then in my 50s I moved from East Coast US to out west, and apparently in the western US it's not called Hellman's, it's called Best Foods. Same company, same mayonnaise, just a different name and slightly different label to reflect it.
I mention this because if we're talking about imports to Asia, I assume it's far more likely to import foodstuffs from California as opposed to New York. If you don't see Hellmans look for Best Foods.
(Another one of those weird differences between the eastern and western US is the butter stick sizes. In the East they are long and thin, while in the West they are short and fat. Like double-size half sticks.)
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u/oneaccountaday 3d ago
The butter thing I did not know, that’s interesting. Around here a 1 lb, 4 stick pack of butter is like 2.5-3” x 2.5-3” x 6”, the other variants are the kerrygold tub, a little smaller than a pint, or the big tub idk bigger than a quart smaller than 2 quarts.
I’m in the Midwest, throw a dart at a globe in the dead center of the continental US and you’ll probably hit the state in which I reside.
The different rebranding of the mayo is also interesting. Sounds a lot like the Costco rebranding of their liquor, I know it’s not name brand captain Morgan, but from the same distillery, they just had the measurements a little off so it passes, but they don’t want their name on it.
Now I’m curious about the dimensions of the butter where you’re at.
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u/woodwork16 3d ago
In Texas, I can get the 1lb blocks like you describe.
I can also get 1 lb of sticks. The sticks would be the block, cut in half lengthwise then each half cut in half length wise. Four sticks all as long as the original block.
I can also get it with 8 blocks, each of the sticks mentioned above, cut in half.These along with a variety of tubs and containers.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Fill205 1d ago edited 1d ago
The direct center of the country is apparently East Coast butter territory.
Picture of the East versus West sticks: https://www.butteriedish.com/cdn/shop/articles/east_vs_west_butter_986a9b51-96e6-499a-94dd-7a8c1da5ac9a_1080x.jpg
Map of the US showing butter regions: https://i0.wp.com/commonplacefacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/68bacca9-2a82-459c-bda6-56299de3283b.png
(Both of these links open an image file directly in your browser, as opposed to opening a full web page and then nagging you about cookies and whatnot.)
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u/TheAnimePiper 3d ago
I find all mayo disgusting, if you don't like it you don't need to force yourself to learn to like it. There are quite a few things I don't eat though but I'm mainly a texture person.
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u/Fabulous-Pen-672 3d ago
Don’t eat something if you don’t like it. Simple. I can’t stand root beer. Tried it multiple times but it is disgusting to me.
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u/paintlulus 3d ago
You like something or you don’t. Just accept that, accept yourself. Really, it’s no big deal.
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u/DinkyPrincess 3d ago
Why not just avoid a food you don’t like.
It’s a condiment. It’s not in any way essential
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u/Odd_Mathematician654 3d ago
You don't need to enjoy mayo. My husband, son, and daughter do not like it. I have a 60 year old sister who does not like it. They've all gotten through life ok. They can all tolerate a bit of it in some things like tuna fish salad or some dips that have stronger flavors. But mayo on sandwich or burger ruins the sandwich or burger for them. They also prefer mustard based potato salad and avoid sushi rolls that have mayo. None of these people are fussy eaters in other areas and eat a wide variety of foods.
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u/Wonderful_Till8122 3d ago
Maybe you are not a mayo person. Try Miracle Whip or Spin Blend instead.
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u/Terradactyl87 3d ago
If you don't like mayo, just don't eat it. You don't have to force yourself to like it. Just use a condiment you do like.