Mustard is one of the world’s most popular condiments. Its confident, pungent taste and even its vibrant color make it a favorite of food lovers everywhere.
Read on to learn more about the origins, history and benefits of this amazing condiment
A Spicy Family
Mustard is a plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which makes it a relative of cabbage, but also of other plants known for their pungent flavor, like horseradish and wasabi.
It’s a proven fact that mustard was used by many cultures since prehistoric times. It helps that it’s really easy to grow and requires minimal attention.
There are three different types of mustard: yellow, brown and black, with yellow being the main ingredient of the condiment we know and love. And we mean LOVE: In fact, the United States is the main destination for mustard seeds, with Germany in second place.
The condiment we know as mustard is made grounding mustard seeds and mixing them with vinegar and water.
Hot Stuff
The word “mustard” comes from Latin. Romans loved mixing unfermented grape juice (which was called “mustum” in Latin, and it’s called “must” in modern English) with ground mustard seeds. The resulting concoction was hot to the palate, so the Romans called it “mustum ardens”, that is, “hot must.”
The name stuck, and many languages adapted it to its own phonetic system. That’s how we got “mustard” in English, “mostaza” in Spanish and “moutarde” in French.
The appeal of this condiment seems to touch everyone, from people who love the refinement of Dijon mustard produced in France, to those who admire the democratic earthiness of the good ole’ American Hot Dog.
The interesting Benefits of Mustard
In addition to enlivening any dish, mustard also offers some interesting benefits. This condiment is a good way to add iron, calcium, selenium and phosphorus to your diet with almost no effort. Furthermore, since vinegar is one of its ingredients, mustard contains acetic acid, which improves the way muscles function. That’s why many runners eat packets of this condiment to avoid cramps.
Try Our Parmesan-Walnut Crusted Chicken With Honey-Mustard Sauce!
At Chef Gourmet we love this storied condiment so much that we have added Parmesan-Walnut Crusted Chicken with Honey Mustard Sauce to our Gourmet Prepared Meals. Order online or call today (1-888-536-5269)!
We work with local suppliers we know and trust. This way, we support our communities while offering you dishes made with only the freshest ingredients.
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Interested in Condiments? Learn More!
If you want to learn more about famous condiments, you’re in the right place. You may like to take a look at the tangy Argentinian chimichurri, the revered Italian Marinara sauce, or Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world!
