Mayonnaise (/ˌmeɪəˈneɪz/, ), often abbreviated as mayo, is a thick, creamy sauce often used as a condiment. It originates from Mahon (Spain); In spanish Mahonesa . 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 yellow. It may range in texture from that of light cream to thick. In countries influenced by French culture, mustard is also a common ingredient. In Spain and Italy, olive oil is used as the oil and mustard is never included. Numerous other sauces can be created from it with addition of various herbs, spices, and finely chopped pickles. Where mustard is used, it is also an emulsifier.
Read more about Mayonnaise: Origin, Making Mayonnaise, Common Additives in Commercial Mayonnaise, Nutritional Information, Mayonnaise Alternatives
Famous quotes containing the word mayonnaise:
“Let’s face it, we became ingrown, clannish, and retarded. Cut off from the mainstream of humanity, we came to believe that pink is “flesh-color”, that mayonnaise is a nutrient, and that Barry Manilow is a musician.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)
“I remember the stink of the liverwurst.
How I was put on a platter and laid
between the mayonnaise and the bacon.
The rhythm of the refrigerator
had been disturbed.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)