18th May: Mustard

Today is the day of mustard according to the French Revolutionary Calendar. Here are some things you might not know about this popular condiment.

1. Mustard is made from the ground seeds of a mustard plant, Water, vinegar, and depending on the variety, flavourings and spices.
2. The mustard plant is a member of the Brassica genus and is related to Broccoli, Cauliflower, Turnips, and Cabbage. As well as grinding up the seeds to make "prepared mustard", the seeds can be used as a spice or to make oil, and the leaves are edible too and can be eaten in a salad or cooked like Spinach.
3. It is believed that mustard was first cultivated in India around 3000 BC. Mustard seeds were found in Tutenkhamen's tomb. It was possibly the first condiment humans ever used. It was the Romans who came up with the idea of mixing it into a paste with Wine or vinegar. The word comes from Latin - mustum ardens meaning “burning wine,” because the Romans mixed it up with "must" or unfermented Grape juice.
4. It's good for you. It has less calories than mayonnaise or ketchup - a teaspoonful contains less than 20 calories. It has no sugar or fat and very little sodium. Mustard seeds contain selenium, omega-3 and 6, Potassium, magnesium and calcium, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are also supposed to speed up the metabolism and lower blood pressure. The leaves are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K.
5. Mustard had its medicinal uses, too. Pythagoras recommended it as a cure for Scorpion stings and Hippocrates used it as a painkiller. The Romans used it to cure toothache. Even in modern times it has been used to stimulate appetite, clear sinuses, as a weight loss supplement, asthma suppressant, hair growth stimulant, immunity booster, cholesterol regulator, dermatitis treatment, and to ward off gastrointestinal cancer. Mustard flour sprinkled in your Socks helps prevent frostbite.
6. Dijon mustard originated in France and uses wine rather than vinegar to mix the paste. There is no regulation which says Dijon mustard must come from Dijon, though. It can be made anywhere. In fact, the country which produces by far most of the world's mustard is Canada. The biggest consumers are the Americans who on average eat 12 ounces of it a year each.
7. Crushed mustard seeds are actually pale Yellow. The bright yellow colour we associate with mustard actually comes from turmeric, a spice which is added to the mix.
8. There are, around the world, various superstitions and traditions associated with mustard. In Denmark and India it is thought that spreading mustard seeds around the outside of your house wards off evil spirits. German brides sew mustard seeds into the hem of their wedding dresses to assure their dominance in the household.
9. 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.
10. There is a mustard museum in Wisconsin, USA which has a collection of over 5,000 jars of mustard from all 50 states and 60 countries. There is even a National Mustard day - the first Saturday in August.

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