What is mustard?
That yellow mustard in your fridge starts off as a seed, of the appropriately named mustard plant. The seeds are grinded and combined with other ingredients, usually consisting of water, vinegar, lemon juice, wine, salt, and a variety of other spices.
When combined, the result is a paste or sauce that is then bottled to produce the mustard condiments we use.
After mustard is made, it is then often used as an ingredient to create other condiments, such as salad dressings and sauces.
What types of mustard are there?
If you’ve been to the grocery store, you probably know there are a lot of different mustards out there. These are a few of the most popular varieties:
Yellow mustard: Yellow mustard is the most common type of mustard used in the United States. It offers a milder flavor than other mustards and is usually made from vinegar, turmeric and mustard seeds.
Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard has a tangy flavor and is most commonly paired with cheese and meats – so it’s not as common in vegan diets. Dijon mustard originated in France and is produced using white wine, vinegar and mustard seeds.
Spicy brown mustard: Spicy brown mustard is often used to add a kick to foods like sandwiches and wraps. It’s “secret ingredient” is usually a spice like cayenne pepper that gives the mustard a fiery kick.
Honey mustard: Honey mustard also isn’t all that common amongst vegans, because it contains honey. The addition of honey creates a sweet and spicy flavor, that’s most often used as a dipping sauce or salad dressing.
Whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard is most commonly used on sandwiches. It offers a hearty flavor and the texture of the mustard itself is coarser than the others listed here.
Is mustard vegan?
The answer is – it depends. For the most part, common yellow mustard is almost always vegan-friendly. And most other mustards are vegan-friendly as well, except for the obvious exception of honey mustard. When buying mustard, it’s always best to check the label to make sure it’s vegan-friendly.
Where did mustard originate?
Mustard dates back to ancient Rome, where it’s been found as an ingredient in several recipes. Since then, it’s become a wildly popular condiment that’s enjoyed all over the world. Although its interesting that different countries have gravitated towards different “favorite mustards” over the years. While yellow mustard is by far the most popular in North America, Dijon mustard is the favorite in Europe.
Why is mustard good for you?
Generally speaking, mustard is healthy and can be a good addition to your diet. However, its best to keep in mind that all condiments should be consumed in moderation.
Mustard is reasonably healthy because its low in calories and in fat. It also contains antioxidants and other nutrients that can be beneficial to your health, like turmeric.
Mustard has also been shown to boost metabolism and aid digestion. So, when it comes to condiments, you could do a lot worse!
What is the spice in mustard?
There are many different types of mustard on the market, as we’ve previously discussed. Each different type of mustard contains slightly different ingredients. However, they all start with the same base: mustard seeds.
After the mustard seeds are grinded down, they’re combined with other ingredients, to include spices. The most popular spices used in mustard are cayenne pepper, paprika and turmeric.
What types of mustard seeds are there?
There are believed to be over 40 different varieties of mustard plants that produce seeds which are used to make mustard. They can be purchased whole, ground or bruised.
There are three main types of mustard seeds, but these are the three most popular:
White mustard seeds: White mustard seeds stem from the Mediterranean area. They’re more resilient than other mustard seeds and can be grown in cooler or warmer climates. White mustard seeds are the most mild of the main mustard seed varieties.
Brown mustard seeds: Brown mustard seeds come from the Himalayans. These seeds have over taken black mustard seeds in popularity, and are used very often in American kitchens. The flavor of brown mustard seeds falls between being more spicy than white mustard seeds and less spicy than black mustard seeds.
Black mustard seeds: Black mustard seeds date way back to ancient times. They were used by the Romans and are even believed to have been the seeds which were mentioned in the Bible. Today, black mustard seeds are grown in North Africa and parts of Asia and Europe, and they’re popular in the Middle East and Asia Minor. Black mustard seeds are very small and are usually ground into a spice. Black mustard seeds have a stronger flavor than white mustard seeds and brown mustard seeds, and they’re also less common.
Vegan recipes that use mustard
Vietnamese spring rolls recipe: The perfect recipe for any occasion, use it as a meal, an appetizer or as a party food.
Tofu scramble recipe: An eggy breakfast scramble without the eggs! Start your day with this high-protein deliciousness.
Chickpea salad sandwich recipe: This quick and easy-to-prepare sandwich is perfect when you need a fast and filling dose of protein.
