Does Kimchi Mayo contain dairy or gluten?

This specific product does not contain milk or eggs. It may contain gluten depending on the source of the modified food starch used.

Is Kimchi Mayo good for weight loss?

Not particularly. It is an oil-based condiment with roughly 100 calories per tablespoon. While delicious, it is calorie-dense and should be measured carefully if you are tracking calories.

Where can I buy Kimchi Mayo?

This specific brand and formulation is commonly found at major retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and available for purchase on Amazon.

Is Kimchi Mayo safe for kids?

Yes, generally. It contains no caffeine. However, it does contain chili peppers (gochugaru and cayenne), so it may be too spicy for very young children.

Is Kimchi Mayo Gluten Free?

The short answer is: **Maybe**. While this Kimchi Mayo recipe avoids obvious wheat ingredients like wheat flour, it contains **modified food starch**, a potential hidden source of gluten. This product is safe for those avoiding wheat, but celiacs should exercise caution due to the ambiguous source of the starch.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and dive straight into the label. This Kimchi Mayo has a fascinating profile—it's essentially a spicy, fermented condiment emulsion. The base is a classic blend of water and canola oil, stabilized to create that creamy texture we love. The flavor punch comes from gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) and crushed garlic, giving it that authentic kimchi kick without the fermentation time.

However, the texture relies heavily on additives. Xanthan gum and non gmo modified food starch are the primary thickeners here. While xanthan gum is universally safe (it's fermented from sugar and is gluten-free), the modified food starch is the red flag. Manufacturers use this term broadly; it could be derived from corn (safe) or wheat (unsafe). Without a 'gluten-free' certification on the bottle, we cannot guarantee the source.

Finally, the acidity comes from white distilled vinegar and lemon juice concentrate. Distilled vinegar is safe for gluten-free diets, as the distillation process removes gluten proteins. The inclusion of chickpea powder is a nice touch, adding a subtle nutty undertone and helping with the emulsion stability.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

modified food starch

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this Kimchi Mayo fits into the standard condiment category. It is calorie-dense due to the canola oil, providing roughly 90-100 calories per tablespoon, which is standard for mayonnaise-based products. The fat content is primarily unsaturated (from the canola oil), which is generally considered a healthier fat profile compared to the saturated fats found in traditional egg-based mayos.

The sugar content, derived from cane sugar, is relatively low but present. This adds a necessary balance to the heat of the cayenne and gochugaru. For those on a Keto or low-carb diet, the small amount of sugar and the chickpea powder (which contains carbohydrates) might be a consideration, but it likely fits within the limits of a standard diet. It is low in protein and does not provide significant micronutrients, functioning mostly as a flavor enhancer.