Mustard seed

2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Food and agriculture

Mustard seeds

Black Mustard seeds close-up

Mustard seeds are the proverbially small seeds of the various mustard plants. The seeds are about 1 mm in diameter, and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are important spices in many regional cuisines. The seeds can come from three different plants: black mustard ( B. nigra), brown Indian mustard ( B. juncea), and white or yellow mustard ( B. hirta/Sinapis alba).

In the Indian subcontinent they are often used whole, and are quickly fried in oil until they pop to impart a flavor to the oil.

Mustard seeds generally take 3-7 days to germinate if placed under the proper conditions, which include a cold atmosphere and relativly moist soil.

Mustard oil can be extracted from the seeds. The seeds, particularly the white ones, can also be ground into a flour, and mixed to a thick paste with a little water to make the condiment mustard. The ground mustard powder is usually mixed with ordinary flour to reduce the strength of the resulting condiment.

Other ingredients can be used to mix mustard, for example, sugar, honey, vinegar, wine, or milk.

When initially mixed the sauce is mild in flavor, but it develops in time. Strong mustard has a very powerful (and painful) effect on the nasal membranes if eaten carelessly.

The whole seeds can be soaked in liquid before grinding to create whole grain mustard.

It is possible to buy ready prepared mustard (condiment) in many places.