National Mustard Day on the first Saturday in August recognizes the versatile condiment. Used in many different cuisines, mustard comes from the seeds of the mustard plant.
- The Mustard Museum of Middleton, Wisconsin features a collection of over 5,000 jars of mustard from all 50 states and 60 countries.
- It is believed that mustard was first cultivated in India around 3000 BC, and later taken to Britain by the Romans who used it as a condiment and pickling spice.
- Pope John Paul XXII loved mustard so much that in the early 1300’s he created a new Vatican position of mustard-maker to the pope – grand moutardier du pape.
- Our word mustard comes from the Middle English mustarde, meaning condiment; which in turn comes from the Old French mostarde.
- The Romans mixed unfermented grape juice, known as must, with ground mustard seeds (called sinapis) to make “burning must”, mustum ardens. That’s the source of the name “must ard”.
- Egyptians tossed mustard seeds onto their food, and sent King Tut to the great beyond with a good supply in his tomb.
- There are about 40 species of mustard plants. The ones used to make the commercial mustard products are the black, brown and white mustard.
- Per capita consumption of mustard in the US is about 12 oz. annually.
- Nutrition-wise, a serving of mustard (1 teaspoon) has less than 20 calories, no sugar, no fat, and only 55mg of sodium.
- Grey Poupon became a popular mustard in the late 1970s and 1980s as American tastes broadened from the conventional American yellow mustards.
- In India and Denmark, it is believed that spreading mustard seeds around the external sides of the homes keeps away the evil spirits!
- Mustard was known for its medicinal benefits before the popular culinary uses. Greeks used its paste to cure toothache, boost appetite, and improve blood circulation.
- As members of Brassica or Sinapis genera, mustard plants are close relatives to a surprising variety of common vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, and cabbage.
- King Louis XI didn’t travel without it. The French monarch considered the condiment so essential to his culinary experiences that he kept a pot with him at all times, so as not to be disappointed if he were to be served a meal in a household that wasn’t fully stocked.
- Peppercorns are the most used spice in the United States; mustard comes in second.
- Europeans eat mustard on their french fries.
- for National Mustard Day (August 3, 2019), French’s thought to make mustard-flavored ice cream.
- You can make mustard ice cream at home:
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