Mustard

Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of a mustard plant, which may be white or yellow mustard, Sinapis alba, brown mustard, Brassica juncea, or black mustard, Rhamphospermum nigrum. The whole, ground, cracked or bruised seeds are mixed with water, vinegar, lemon juice, wine or other liquids, salt and often other flavorings and spices to make a paste or sauce ranging in color from bright yellow to dark brown; the seed itself has a strong, pungent, somewhat bitter taste, while the finished condiment ranges from sweet to spicy. Mustard is commonly paired with meats, vegetables and cheeses, especially as a condiment for sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs, and is also used in dressings, glazes, sauces, soups, relishes and marinades; as a paste or as whole seeds it is used across the cuisines of India and Bangladesh, the Mediterranean, northern and southeastern Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa, making it one of the most widely used spices and condiments in the world.