The 11 Different Mustard Varieties You Should Get To Know

When it comes to condiments, mustard is a perennial favorite. According to a study published by the journal Foods, humans have been making use of the mustard plant for thousands of years, since around 3000 B.C. Whether it's spread on a cheese sandwich, slathered on a hot dog, or blended into salad dressing, mustard's bright flavor shines. This is partly because the condiment works well with so many different foods. 

Mustard spread — arguably the most popular form of prepared mustard — is made from seeds of the mustard plant. Mustard falls in the Brassicaceae family, which also includes broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. There are around 40 species of the mustard plant. But only three are most commonly cultivated for their seeds. These are Brassica nigra (black mustard), Brassica juncea (brown mustard), and Sinapis alba (white mustard or yellow mustard).

According to Healthline, mustard is also good for you. The condiment contains nutrients like iron, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium. Mustard also contains flavonoid antioxidants. These compounds may protect against cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes, as well as help fight bacterial and fungal infections. With these potential health benefits in mind, we should all be looking for more ways to incorporate mustard into our diets. Luckily, there is an almost dizzying array of mustard choices available. Here are 11 different mustard varieties you should definitely get to know.

True mustard fans will love whole grain mustard, with its rustic flavor and gritty texture. As the name suggests, whole grain mustard is made from mostly unblended mustard seeds. With their shape kept mostly intact, this condiment is less smooth than yellow mustard. There is a wide variety of whole grain mustards out there. But most are made using a combination of black and brown mustard seeds, which are partially crushed to release their bold flavor.

Because whole grain mustard has a strong flavor and texture, it pairs well with other bold foods. Use this condiment with a hearty roast beef sandwich. In this application, whole grain mustard works well because it stands up to other intense flavors. It can also be used to make a delicious sausage supper. This recipe's base consists of sausage, cabbage, and kale. Additional flavor is provided by sauerkraut, garlic, and horseradish.

For many of us, our first introduction to Dijon mustard came from watching Grey Poupon commercials. But there's more to this mustard than Grey Poupon. Dijon mustard has a rich flavor that makes it the perfect addition to many savory dishes. Dijon — named after the city of Dijon, France where it was invented — is made from brown mustard seeds. Like other mustard varieties, it contains vinegar, but it gets its distinct flavor from white wine. This combination creates a flavor profile that pairs well with most meats. 

For this reason, Dijon mustard is often used to make marinades and glazes. For example, it's used in this rum-glazed ham recipe. When mixed in, Dijon mustard balances out the sweetness of the glaze. You can also use Dijon mustard to marinate pork, chicken, or even a leg of lamb before grilling. You can even spice up your brunch by adding Dijon mustard to hollandaise sauce. This iconic condiment is used in dishes like eggs Benedict. 

There are many varieties of German mustard which vary in sweetness and spiciness. There is Sweet Bavarian mustard, which is made from a combination of yellow and brown mustard seeds, as well as ingredients like apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. There is German whole grain mustard, which is less sweet and more savory than the aforementioned mustard. It can be made from ingredients like mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar, white wine, and salt. There is also a condiment called Bavarian beer mustard. Completely lacking in sweetness, this mustard is made by first soaking mustard seeds in a dark beer. Afterward, the soaked seeds are blended with ingredients like vinegar, brown sugar, and salt.

These condiments work great with classic German dishes like Bavarian pretzels or bratwurst. You can find these types of German mustard at major grocery retailers or online. Feel free to try a few different types of German mustard in order to find your favorite.

Stone-ground mustard has been around for hundreds of years. Historically, this condiment was made by grinding mustard seeds with a stone, using devices called a quern or millstone. The more rustic grinding process fully crushes some mustard seeds, while leaving others intact. Today, it may not always be made using ancient processes, but stone-ground mustard still has a somewhat gritty texture. 

This condiment pairs well with meat, cheese, bread, and vegetables. As such, you can use stone-ground mustard in many applications. It works on a cheese sandwich, slathered on some ham, in salad dressings, or as part of dipping sauces. You can also use this condiment in savory main courses, such as this honey mustard slow cooker chicken. This recipe uses both stone-ground mustard and honey, creating a balance of heat and sweetness. As you're diving into the world of mustard, you might want to give stone-ground mustard a try. 

This condiment has the best of both worlds. If you like horseradish mustard and honey mustard, you'll love this spread. Surprisingly, sweet and hot mustard does not contain extra spicy ingredients like horseradish, as the heat from mustard is usually enough.

Sweet and hot mustard can be made from mustard powder, granulated sugar, rice wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, and eggs. Using sugar instead of honey gives it a different sweetness than honey mustard. Additionally, using mustard powder instead of mustard seeds provides it with a smooth texture. Because of the inclusion of rice wine vinegar — an ingredient commonly used in Asian cuisines — this mustard pairs well with Chinese food dishes such as egg rolls or spring rolls. This condiment is also delicious with roasted vegetables or potatoes.

Unlike other mustard varieties, sweet and hot mustard contains eggs. As such, sweet and hot mustard may not be suitable for vegans or people with an egg allergy. We recommend checking the ingredients listed on a product before consuming prepared sweet and hot mustard. If not, you can always make your own.