How mayonnaise babies become Japanese idols

Kewpie mayonnaise This year has been 100 years. It is the first Mayo to be sold in Japan and it remains the undisputed king of condiments here. There are plenty of stories in its iconic stylish bottle, red hat and cute baby mascot, and every lad will say hello to you. So, this briefly reviews its history.

The Birth of Kewpie

Kewpie’s origins date back to the 1910s when the company’s founder, Nakashima Toichiro Nakashima, spent three years in the United States and the United Kingdom when he was an international intern at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Commerce. It was in these years that Nakajima first encountered mayonnaise and Cherub dolls later became the company’s mascot.

Nakajima attracts this condiment, not only to mix it into a wide variety of other dishes, such as potato salads, but also to provide people with nutritious vitamins and proteins in an easily accessible way. After returning, he launched the Kewpie mayonnaise sauce.

By 1941, about 500 tons of Kewpie Mayonnaise had been eliminated. Today, mayonnaise is available in 79 countries around the world.

Special ingredients of Kewpie

Since its launch, Kewpie has been the leading mayonnaise in Japan. But what makes the product so tempting?

It starts with eggs. Kewpie uses about 4 billion eggs per year. While mayonnaise traditionally uses whole eggs, Kewpie uses only golden egg yolks for a creamy, rich and egg-like texture. Additionally, while other international companies like Hellmann’s usually use sharp distilled white vinegar in their mixtures, Kewpie uses a mixture of vinegar, including rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar for a rich kick.

Kewpie has been a staple in many Japanese families for decades with its lightweight, slightly sweet and umami flavor. It’s with Octopus Palace or tonkatsubut also the ideal foundation for egg salad sandwiches, tuna mayonnaise Onigiri And more.

Kewpie Corporation recognized the potential of eggs and decided to expand its product range beyond the food range, even to cosmetics and even medicines.

The Origin of the Iconic Baby

Kewpie Mayo’s first iteration was a small glass jar, with cute and naughty babies coming out from the beginning.

Kewpie is a Cherub-like character that appears in a comic Women’s Home Daily Conducted in 1909 by American cartoonist Rose O’Neill. This led to the creation of Kewpie statues, which proved to be popular. The figurines are also the inspiration behind Sonny Angel Collectible Dolls, created by Japanese toy maker Toru Soeya.

O’Neill created Kewpies to reinterpret Cupid. Speaking about the origin of the name, she said: “Cupid played the trick in his mind, but I hope Kewpies only brings happiness to people.”

The doll caught Nakajima’s attention. With the reconstruction of the Tokyo-Modobang region, the transformation of society to the west is felt The Great Canto earthquake in 1923he introduced Kewpie Mayonnaise as an innovative product inspired by American style and diet. By implementing cute Cherub in ads, Kewpie Mayo is immediately recognized. Kewpie Baby has been an iconic symbol of Japanese mayonnaise ever since.

Celebrating 100th anniversary

This year, Kewpie celebrates its centenary anniversary. With the anniversary slogan “still in progress”, the company’s goal is to continue to innovate.

As Kewpie Mayo launched in March 1925, it was designated as Mayonnaise Day. Kewpie’s own museum is hosting a special mayonnaise making experience in Mayo Terrace, Chofu City.

Kewpie also hosts a tourist food truck event in Japan. World Mayo Kitchen Various global dishes that use mayonnaise in creative ways are being shown. The event is in Tokyo for the first stop at Roppongi Hills.

From February 28 to March 2, visitors can try 22 different egg mayonnaise dishes such as dried laksa from Singapore, Italian chicken Milan and Bassler mayonnaise, Malaysian Nasi Lemak, Japanese mayonnaise and honey shrimp, French salmon Rillettes and Filipino Adobo Bowls. All menu items can be ordered for 300 yen or 600 yen.

The event will also tour in Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Sendai, Saporo and Hiroshima.

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