In this article, we’ll explore what exactly prepared mustard is, how to prepare it, what some of the most common types are and why it is considered to be healthy.
Types of Prepared Mustard
When someone talks about prepared mustard, they don’t mean any particular type of this condiment; prepared mustard refers to all of them as long as they come in a jar or a bottle and are ready to eat straight away. The mustard is actually the plant and its seeds.
Of course, many of us refer to it as simply the mustard, and we all know that the other person doesn’t mean the unprocessed, mustard seeds but the spreadable condiment.
In general, the spreadable paste is made with three main types of mustard seeds – white (or yellow), black, and brown. The darker the seed, the spicier the condiment, and that’s how different types of mustard may vary in taste. The other factor influencing the taste and consistency of the paste is the preparation process.
The most popular choice worldwide is the prepared yellow mustard, but there are many more types available on the food market.
The opposite of prepared mustard is the dry mustard, also called the ground mustard, which requires some further preparation to make it edible.
8 Common Types
- Yellow mustard is the most popular type of mustard in the world. It is made from white (or yellow) mustard seeds that are blended with water, some vinegar, a bit of salt, and turmeric until they all form a smooth paste. It gained recognition worldwide, as it is the perfect condiment for hamburgers and other sandwiches or hot dogs. Especially in the USA, prepared yellow mustard usually contains syrups to make it even milder.
- English mustard is basically the yellow mustard, but it is much spicier than the American yellow mustard. There’s also a type called the French mustard, which surprisingly originated in the UK and is a milder alternative to English mustard.
- Spicy brown mustard is made from a large number of brown seeds squeezed and mixed with spices for a very intense, piquant taste. It fits well in sandwiches and is widely used in Indian and Chinese cuisines as similar to garam masala, a highly popular spice in Indian cooking.
- Dijon mustard is a French type of mustard made from husked darker seeds, either brown or black. You combine them with wine, salt, and spices to your liking. It is a spicier type, but it goes well with mild, creamy mayonnaise, and is usually used for dressings and sauces. It very often comes in a whole grain form.
- Honey mustard is made from the combination of yellow mustard and honey; the ratio is usually 1 to 1. It’s sweeter yet a bit tangy, and it serves well as a dip or dressing.
- Whole grain mustard is made from seeds that are only semi-crushed or even whole. The paste is thick, very robust and intense in taste, and since it’s less processed, it contains some of the nutritional values of whole mustard seeds.
- Hot mustard, also called Chinese mustard, is a mix of dry mustard and water, sometimes supplemented with oils or cayenne pepper. This is probably the spiciest mustard available commercially.
- Sweet mustard, or German mustard, is similar to English or French mustard but much sweeter because of the additional sugar.
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to various types of mustard, but these are definitely the most popular ones. What many food experts recommend is a little bit of experimentation. You are the only person who truly knows what you like, so don’t be afraid to explore some new tastes and combinations.
Nutritional Value of Prepared Mustard
Almost all types of prepared mustard are very low in calories (it doesn’t include sweet mustard, quite logically), which makes them the perfect dressing for people who are following strict diets or are simply trying to stay fit like our salad dressing choices for the Keto Diet. Therefore, it contradicts all those sayings that healthy foods are bland and tasteless.
Many types of prepared mustard have turmeric added; yellow mustard has the most of it. And turmeric contains curcumin, which is credited with anti-inflammatory properties.
What’s more, mustard as the condiment still contains some essential minerals, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, or selenium. You will also find plant compounds in mustard seeds, like glucosinolates or carotenoids, which help to prevent cell damage and protect you from some serious chronic diseases as similar to the health benefits of curcumin. Black seeds are especially rich in glucosinolates.
However, you should note that very often, you probably eat very small amounts of mustard (e.g., 1 tablespoon), so it can’t substitute other nutritious ingredients.
Health Benefits of Prepared Mustard
Some of the health-related properties of mustard plants have been known since at least 530 BC. Even though there still hasn’t been enough research conducted to confirm many of its potential benefits, scientists, food experts, and their experience suggest that mustard (also prepared mustard) may indeed possess multiple health benefits.
- Glucosinolates, which can be found in mustard seeds, are rich in antioxidants that can help prevent or reduce cell damage caused by free radicals.
- Some studies suggest that, when densely concentrated, glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which both can be found in mustard in abundance, may slow the replication of cancer cells.
- One animal study hinted that it might be possible that mustard seed can help control the levels of sugar in the blood by increasing insulin levels and decreasing sugar. Have a look at our top 7 foods to avoid as a diabetic.
- Curcumin, which is added to prepared mustard along with turmeric, has been proven to have significant anti-inflammatory properties.
- Mustard is rich in many minerals, like iron, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, manganese, or selenium, all of which benefit health differently and need to be maintained at the same level.
How to Make Prepared Mustard
Since you already know that there are many types of mustard, you have probably figured out that there is no one universal recipe. What is more, even if you follow one while preparing this condiment, you can get a bit creative and adjust it to your likings.
If you want something standard or would like to experiment, it is best to prepare the most common yellow mustard that requires only several basic ingredients. To do that, all you need is a food processor or high-speed blender.
- First, add some bell pepper and process until it is chopped.
- Depending on your preferences, you may drain the juice if you want your mustard to be thicker, or add water or vinegar to make it milder.
- Then, add mustard seeds (the way you like them most), and maybe some honey or pepper flakes, if you like, and process slowly, only to allow the ingredients to combine. If you prefer it this way, you may add more red pepper.
Final Thoughts
What is prepared mustard? How is it different from ground mustard? You already know an answer to these questions – and to many more. It is not uncommon for people to use any kind of prepared mustard to improve or even save their failed cooking, but it may also be a great, planned addition to any meal. We highly recommend checking out our post on 29 Creative Keto Lunch Recipes and our Keto Dinner Recipes.
