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Where does mustard come from
29 Sep

Where does mustard come from

We analyze where mustard comes from, what is the origin of this particular spice that is consumed all over the world.

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Mustard has been making our palate happy for a long time. It is one of the most popular sauces due to its intense and great flavor, the one that gives our pastrami sandwich or our smoked salmon such a special touch. But have you ever wondered where mustard comes from?

Its origin is ancient and the passage of time has given rise to various elaborations that have given us the best for salsa lovers. Precisely for them, we have the best offer to buy mustard online in the catalog of Your Spanish Shop, the online store that only thinks about satisfying the tastes of good food.

What you should know about mustard

As I was saying, millennia have passed since the appearance of mustard. It is said that it comes from the East and the Mediterranean basins and that, over time, its cultivation spread to European regions. But, before confirming where the mustard comes from, I am going to explain to you what exactly this wonderful yellow sauce with an intense flavor is.

What is mustard?

Mustard is actually the seed that comes from the Synapse plant, which is of Mediterranean origin and belongs to the same family as cabbage, known as cruciferae. This plant is characterized by having large leaves that are quite aromatic and remind us of the smell of pepper. It is approximately one meter tall and has a hairy stem.

From its flowers grows an elongated fruit that gives rise to a kind of grains that are black on the inside and yellow on the outside that have a spicy flavor. And these grains are the mustard seeds, which have been used throughout the history of gastronomy to season many dishes and make the mustard sauce itself.

For its consumption, it is necessary that the mustard seeds are treated in the kitchen, whether they are whole, crushed, ground, etc.

Depending on its treatment and preparation, there are different varieties of mustard that can have different colors, such as yellow, gold or a more brownish tone. Which agrees with the same color of its seeds.

In addition, depending on the type of mustard, a different flavor is obtained, some more spicy, others softer and others more aromatic, but all with a certain intensity that leaves a special taste in the mouth.

Mustards can be used as a culinary seasoning, as a spice, or as a sauce. In this case, one of its elaborations results in a sauce that is obtained by mixing the seeds with ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice or other acidic liquids, water, salt, some spices and aromatic herbs.

The legends of mustard: its origin

As I was saying, the history of mustard tells that its first cultivation was carried out in India, Afghanistan or China in the year 5,500 BC. In fact, mind you, did you know that mustard is mentioned in the Bible? It is said that the mustard plant was introduced in Palestine through Egypt, where its grains were crushed to obtain the seasoning that gave rise to a characteristic spicy flavor.

This is one of the mustard legends. And I say it in the plural because there are more songs about its origin.

For example, there is a belief that mustard comes from Ancient Rome, where the seeds were treated with the intention of achieving a kind of paste with a spicy flavor to add to wine and other foods.

What we can confirm regarding its origin and its uses is that mustard leaves were used in both stories to be used as healthy remedies due to their medicinal and stimulant properties that benefit health.

As for gastronomy, it seems that the mustard was also candied and its grains were crushed until they found a very fine flour that was used to season meat and fish.

The history of mustard in Europe

It is in the Middle Ages when the appearance of mustard in Europe is recorded. The first written mention of this condiment dates back to the 13th century in France, where the term "moutarde" was coined. Later, it spread to other countries, gaining significant popularity worldwide and becoming one of the most famous and most used sauces in gastronomy.

This is due to its great versatility when it comes to treating and processing it, which makes it possible to create different colors and aromas with different spicy touches, but always maintaining the intensity of its flavor.

In fact, due to its different preparations, mustards have been achieved that have an incredible flavor and are widely used in haute cuisine recipes. Thus, today there are really delicious and exquisite sauces, such as Dijon mustard, which has a special and spicy flavor, or Bordeaux or Meaux, certainly irresistible. In addition, these sauces have a special quality distinction that guarantees that their preparation has been carried out based on specific mustard grains.

Since the history of mustard began in Europe, it has made a lot of sauce. There were some times when mustard was only associated with fast food due to the influence of the jump to the United States. However, nowadays, although it is the favorite sauce of fast food or street food, it is common for it to be used for incredible recipes, both at home and in restaurants.

Mustard, more than a rich sauce

After knowing its origin, you have to know that there are different types of mustard: black, yellow and brown. Each of them has a characteristic flavor, but equally delicious that you will not be able to resist.

In addition, mustard has several properties and benefits that are very good for health. For example, it is very rich in vitamins A, B, and C, a lot of calcium and iron, and a significant amount of protein that enhances physical activity.

It also has healing and medicinal properties that serve to combat diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatism, as well as help combat cold symptoms and respiratory conditions. It even comes in handy to whet your appetite and improve circulation.

You see? Who was going to tell you when asking where mustard comes from, you were going to discover that it is more than just a simple and delicious sauce.



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