12 Things You Never Knew About Ketchups Best Friend

by N/A, 10 years ago | 2 min read

We've already told you everything you need to know aboutÂ ketchup, but what about its more mysterious, yellow counterpart?

food mustard Food/Cooking condiments Non-Premium

1. It's called a "silver-medal spice."

Peppercorns are the most-used spice in the U.S., Â but mustard comes in second place.

2. Mustard yellow isn't the most accurate name for the bright hue.

Turmeric is what gives mustard it's yellow color, not the actual mustard seeds.

3. Mustard has existed for a long time.

Some say that mustard is the first condiment that humans ever used. The tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs were stocked with mustard seeds to bring them good luck in the afterlife. Romans were the first to grind them into a paste.Â

4. There are many kinds of mustard.

There are many different regional types of mustard including: American, English, Bavarian sweet mustard, Italian fruit mustard, Creola mustard and beer mustard.Â

5. You don't have to worry about it spoiling.

Since it's a combination of spice and acidic liquid, it doesn't really have the potenital to spoil, but its flavor will decline over time.

6. Most Dijon mustard today isn't from Dijon.

Dijon, France became a mustard production hub in the thirteenth century which led to the name Dijon Mustard. Today, it can be made anywhere.Â

7. King Louis XI depended on it.

King Louis XI took a pot of mustard everywhere he went because he felt it was essential to each of his meals.

8. Mustard is a plant and prepared mustard is a condiment.

But you don't need to specify that at a restaurant.

9. Most of the world's supply of mustard comes from only two places.

The crops in Canada and Nepal account for more than half of the worlds mustard production.

10. The ancient Greeks and Romans had many uses for it.

Pythagoras encouraged the use to mustard seeds to cure scorpion stings. People have used it for appetite stimulation, frostbite and sinus clearing. Today, its recommended for weight loss, hair growth and asthma.

11. Broccoli and mustard are closely related.

They're also a similar to cauliflower, turnips and cabbage.

12. Grey Poupon is to thank for mustard's popularity.

The 1984Â Rolls Royce commercialÂ made Grey Poupon a huge brand.