One of the earliest recorded spices, mustard has been valued for its enticing bite for thousands of years β the first written record of it appears in Sanskrit manuscripts dating to B. It's thought to be among the first plants to be domesticated and has been enjoyed as a spicy condiment since ancient times. Indeed, the very word "mustard" comes from the Latin term mustum ardens, or burning must. This referred to both the stinging hotness of ground mustard seeds as well as the ancient custom of combining these ground seeds with must, the juice of wine grapes.
But, mustard wasn't just valued for its flavor β it was historically used around the world as a medicine and was thought to have the power to heal everything from bubonic plague to snake bites and hysteria. Mustard seed oil, as well as poultices made from ground mustard seeds, were also used as topical treatments, serving as massage oils, hair treatments, and remedies for skin conditions and inflammation.
Modern science has proven there was something to these ancient traditions, confirming that mustard has anti-microbial properties and can help mitigate the effects of diabetes. Little of this matters to modern diners, however β all we know is no hot dog or soft pretzel will taste right without it.
But, there's way more to mustard than the familiar, yellow squeeze bottle. Here are some of the many varieties of mustard enjoyed around the world. We'll start with the basics: At the heart of every spreadable mustard are ground mustard seeds, which provide the condiment's characteristic bite and aroma.
The seeds themselves are used around the world as a seasoning in their own right, adding a unique, nutty flavor you might not immediately recognize as mustard.
