Salad cream
Encyclopedia
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
, and with other ingredients which may include sugar, mustard, salt, thickener, spices, flavouring and colouring. It was introduced in the United Kingdom
in the 1920s, 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.
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.
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 expatriate
s, 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
, and Michigan-based Meijer
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 Australia as well.
Emulsion
An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible . Emulsions are part of a more general class of two-phase systems of matter called colloids. Although the terms colloid and emulsion are sometimes used interchangeably, emulsion is used when both the dispersed and the...
of about 25-50 percent of oil in water, emulsified by egg yolk
Egg yolk
An egg yolk is a part of an egg which feeds the developing embryo. The egg yolk is suspended in the egg white by one or two spiral bands of tissue called the chalazae...
and acidified by spirit vinegar
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid substance consisting mainly of acetic acid and water, the acetic acid being produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional...
, and with other ingredients which may include sugar, mustard, salt, thickener, spices, flavouring and colouring. It was introduced in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the 1920s, where it is used as a salad dressing and a sandwich
Sandwich
A sandwich is a food item, typically consisting of two or more slices of :bread with one or more fillings between them, or one slice of bread with a topping or toppings, commonly called an open sandwich. Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work or school, or...
spread. Due to the higher cost of ingredients during periods of rationing in the United Kingdom a flavour similar to mayonnaise
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise, , often abbreviated as mayo, is a sauce. It is a stable emulsion of oil, egg yolk and either vinegar or lemon juice, with many options for embellishment with other herbs and spices. Lecithin in the egg yolk is the emulsifier. Mayonnaise varies in color but is often white, cream, or pale...
was achieved in the creation of salad cream.
Brands
In the UK it has been produced by companies including H. J. Heinz CompanyH. J. Heinz Company
The H. J. Heinz Company , commonly known as Heinz and famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and its ketchup, is an American food company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Perhaps best known for its ketchup, the H.J...
and Crosse & Blackwell
Crosse & Blackwell
Crosse & Blackwell is a food production brand which has been in existence since 1706.Originally trading under the Jackson brand and then West and Wyatt, the company was purchased in 1830 by Edmund Crosse and Thomas 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.
Heinz and Crosse & Blackwell brands are available in most supermarkets in Canada.
Salad cream was not readily available in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until the 21st century; however with the large population of British expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s, 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
Hannaford
Hannaford may refer to more than one thing.* Hannaford, North Dakota, a town in North Dakota* Hannaford Bros. Co., a supermarket chain* Samuel Hannaford & Sons, a Cincinnati-based architectural firm founded by Samuel Hannaford...
, Massachusetts-based Stop and Shop, southern chain Publix
Publix
Publix Super Markets, Inc. is an American supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida.Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, it is an employee-owned, privately held corporation. Publix is currently ranked No. 86 on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 and was ranked No...
, and Michigan-based Meijer
Meijer
Meijer, Inc. is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's 196 stores are located in Michigan, with additional locations in...
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 Australia as well.