Kiwi onion dip
 | |
| Type | Dipping sauce |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | New Zealand |
| Created by | Rosemary Dempsey |
| Invented | 1950s or 60s |
| Serving temperature | Chilled |
| Main ingredients | Powdered onion soup, reduced cream |
| Variations | Lemon juice, parsley, vinegar |
| Other information | Kiwi onion dip is an iconic dish in New Zealand cuisine, often enjoyed at parties and social occasions. |
Kiwi onion dip is a type of dipping sauce eaten in New Zealand. Often referred to as 'kiwi dip', 'onion dip' or 'original kiwi dip', it consists of a packet of powdered onion soup stirred into a can of reduced cream, which is then left to refrigerate and thicken, and is often then garnished with lemon juice and sometimes parsley. "Kiwi" refers to this being a New Zealand dish as opposed to the dip containing kiwifruit nor any kiwi (bird) products. Served alongside potato chips, crackers, or chopped vegetables, the dip is a popular dish at parties, barbeques, and other social occasions. A small amount of vinegar or lemon juice can be added to the dip for flavour.
Creation
[edit]Kiwi onion dip's creation has been credited to Rosemary Dempsey, a home economist for Nestlé New Zealand in the 1950s or 60s.[1][2] Dempsey was charged with finding new uses for products slipping down the sales charts, in this case onion soup mix, and tried a variety of other Nestlé products before hitting on the successful combination with reduced cream.[1][3] Dempsey went on to become the New Zealand Herald's first food editor.[3]
In popular culture
[edit]The dip has assumed an iconic status in New Zealand cuisine. In February 2019 Nestlé released a campaign bannered "Kiwi as", aligning the dip with canonical moments in New Zealand popular culture.[4] Lauraine Jacobs, a food writer, has said Kiwi onion dip is an “all-time classic”. “My mother made it. My son and his wife make it, and think themselves clever. So now it is the darling of yet another generation."[1] The dip is often missed by New Zealanders living abroad who may not have access to reduced cream, a dairy product only widely available in their home country.[5] In 2019 it was reported cans of reduced cream are commonly found in the suitcases of New Zealanders as they travel overseas.[6]
In April 2019, Countdown supermarket announced the introduction of 'NZ Onion Dip Icecream', a two-litre tub of ice cream flavoured with caramelised onions and reduced cream. The product was later declared by the supermarket to be an April Fools' joke.[7]
In 2022, the Kiwi onion dip with Eta's Salt and Vinegar Ripple Chips is the combined replication challenge for episode six of season one of Snackmasters NZ.[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Donnell, Hayden (20 February 2017). "Finding Rosemary: In search of the unsung hero who invented Kiwi Onion Dip". The Spinoff. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ "Finding Rosemary: The inventor of Kiwi onion dip". RNZ. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ a b "The creator of Kiwi Onion Dip lives in Epsom Village". Real Living. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Harvey, Megan (12 February 2019). "'The makings of a classic': Nestlé's 'Kiwi as' campaign for onion dip". NZ Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "There's no taste like home: The foods Kiwis overseas miss most". Stuff. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ Nightingale, Melissa (17 December 2019). "Chainsaws, Kiwi dip and toy guns – what can and can't go on the plane this Christmas". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ "April Fools' prank announces new 'Onion Dip' ice-cream". Newshub. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ "Snack Masters – Season 1, Episode 6". www.tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 3 June 2024. (registration required)
External sources
[edit]- Rosemary Dempsey interviewed on The Breeze in May 2024