Kiwi onion dip explained

Kiwi Onion Dip
Country:New Zealand
Creator:Rosemary Dempsey
Year:1950s or 60s
Type:Dipping sauce
Served:Chilled
Main Ingredient:Powdered onion soup, reduced cream
Variations:Lemon juice, parsley, vinegar
Other: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.

Kiwi onion dip's creation has been credited to Rosemary Dempsey, a home economist for Nestlé New Zealand in the 1950s or 60s.[1]

In popular culture

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.[2] 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.[3] In 2019 it was reported cans of reduced cream are commonly found in the suitcases of New Zealanders as they travel overseas.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Finding Rosemary: In search of the unsung hero who invented Kiwi Onion Dip . Donnell . Hayden . 20 February 2017 . The Spinoff. 27 April 2020.
  2. Web site: Harvey . Megan . 'The makings of a classic': Nestlé's 'Kiwi as' campaign for onion dip . NZ Herald . 12 February 2019 . 6 May 2020.
  3. News: There's no taste like home: The foods Kiwis overseas miss most . Stuff . 27 April 2020.
  4. News: Nightingale. Melissa. Chainsaws, Kiwi dip and toy guns – what can and can't go on the plane this Christmas. 17 December 2019. NZ Herald. 27 April 2020. 1170-0777.
  5. News: April Fools' prank announces new 'Onion Dip' ice-cream. Newshub. 27 April 2020.
  6. Web site: Snack Masters – Season 1, Episode 6 . 3 June 2024 . www.tvnz.co.nz.