I’ve never taken the Pepsi challenge with Miracle Whip vs mayo but I usually just grab whatever I see first in the fridge. I’ve never discerned a difference.
Honestly, they are very similar. You have to really be paying attention to note the differences.
Between Miracle Whip and mayo? They’re quite different to me. I’ll eat both, but they’re distinct like Dr Pepper vs Coke or something (actually, I’d say moreso). For one, Miracle Whip is sweet and has almost a sweet relish flavor to it. Kraft vs Hellmans, yeah, you have to be paying attention. Miracle Whip vs either of these? It’s pretty obvious, I’d think.
Really, the choices should have included:
Best Foods/Hellmann’s
Kraft Mayo
Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
Duke’s
Heinz Mayonnaise
Heinz Salad Cream
365 (Whole Foods)
Trader Joe’s
Blue Plate
Kewpie
Kirkland Signature (Costco)
Cains
If you’re eating them by themselves, or on plain bread, yeah, I agree that it’s noticeable. But in the wild, as part of a sandwich with many other ingredients, it’s easy to miss the distinction. It’s the same with Coke/Pepsi, really.
And to me, the main difference between Miracle Whip and mayonnaise is more that Miracle Whip is tangy (sour) rather than sweet.
I couldn’t dependably tell you Coke v Pepsi. Mayo v Miracle Whip, no matter how much stuff you put on it, is pretty obvious to me. I mean…that sweet relish flavor, or whatever it is, I could spot a mile away. As a kid, I always wondered what that odd/different flavor was in my aunt’s sandwiches, and it turned out to be the Whip.
ETA:yes, it has a bit more tang, but a lot more sugar. That sweet and sour is distinct. I am, however, maybe a bit more sensitive to sweet flavors than most.
Looking at the nutrition info, Hellman’s has 0g sugar per serving; Miracle Whip has 2. Sweet relish has 3. (All for 15g servings.) I tend to avoid sweet relish because it’s far too sweet for my tastes.
I am not a mayo lover and can’t remember the last time I bought a jar. But I always have eggs and oil in the house, so on those rare occasions when I want potato salad or something, it’s immersion blender mayo all the way. Takes about 3 minutes from start to finish.
Best Foods/Hellmann’s - national brand, included
Kraft Mayo - national brand, included
Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing - NOT mayonnaise
Duke’s - availability limited mostly to the South, but the 3rd best selling brand in USA, included
Heinz Mayonnaise - should have been included
Heinz Salad Cream - NOT mayonnaise
365 (Whole Foods) - store brand
Trader Joe’s - store brand
Blue Plate - this I have never seen
Kewpie - specialty brand, imported from Japan
Kirkland Signature (Costco) - store brand
Cains - distribution limited to New England
I’m curious how many people who voted “Helllmann’s/Best Foods” have actually tried Duke’s and still prefer Hellmann’s?
Duke’s and Hellmann’s are similar, except that Duke’s is a bit tangier, and creamier in consistency.
I favor Best Foods over all others, yet have never had the opportunity to try Duke’s. As a result, my working theory is that Best Foods/Hellmanns is superior, but new data could require an updating of the theory.