MUSTARD SEEDS
Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimetres (0.039 to 0.079 in) in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are an important spice in many regional foods and may come from one of three different plants: black mustard (Brassica nigra), brown mustard (B. juncea), or white mustard (Sinapis alba).All parts of the mustard plant are edible, including the seeds, leaves, and flowers; it is in the same genus as cabbage and turnips and is an annual plant. There are over 40 different varieties of mustard plants, but three are the most popular for culinary use; black, brown, and white mustard seeds typically go into recipes and making mustard. All three varieties are found in the U.S. as well as other parts of the world.
Mustard is the second most-used spice in the United States, as its usage is only exceeded by the peppercorn. And it’s no wonder since mustard works well with all types of meats, pork, poultry, and seafood. You may be used to standard yellow prepared mustard, but there are other wonderful varieties of seeds and prepared mustards to experiment with.
Recipes With Mustard Seeds
The most common way to incorporate mustard seeds into a recipe is when making mustard. However, there are some dishes, particularly in Indian cuisine, that use the black mustard seeds for spice and texture. The seeds are sauteed in oil until they pop and cooked along with the other ingredients. Brown and white mustard seeds are not only made into mustard but also incorporated into pickling spice.
Uses of Mustard Seeds
Brown mustard seeds are used in Europe to produce Dijon mustard and other specialty mustards, and the usual table mustard in Russia is made from brown mustard seeds. In Asian countries, brown mustard seeds are used to produce condiments and mustard oil. This mustard oil can contain toxic erucic acid, so is not imported to the United States. White mustard seeds are ground to make a yellow mustard condiment.