Why Mustard is Yellow

TL;DR

Mustard's yellow color comes from turmeric, which is also used in South Asian dishes and has medicinal qualities. Turmeric has shown potential anti-cancer properties, and mustard has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome.

Transcript

Why is Mustard is Yellow? A common misconception is that yellow mustard (the kind you put on your hot dog) is yellow because of the mustard seed. This is not true. The mustard seed is a dullish gray, brown color. The striking, bold yellow color actually comes from the rootstock of a plant called turmeric. Turmeric, native to the rainy humid tropica... Read More

Key Insights

• 💛 Yellow mustard's color comes from turmeric, not mustard seeds, which are grayish-brown.
• 👅 Turmeric is a versatile ingredient used in South Asian and Indian cuisine for its taste and color.
• 😒 Turmeric has a long history of medicinal use, including as an anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-fighting agent.
• 🤑 Mustard has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome and has variations like Dijon mustard.
• 🌍 Turmeric was introduced to the western world in the 12th and 13th centuries and was used as a substitute for saffron.
• 💛 The R.T. French Company introduced yellow mustard in 1904, incorporating turmeric for added color and presentation.
• 😒 The use of turmeric in mustard has been a significant factor in mustard's popularity and appeal.

Questions & Answers

Q: Where does yellow mustard's color come from?

Yellow mustard gets its color from turmeric, a plant rootstock native to South Asia. Turmeric is boiled, dried, and ground into a powder, which is then mixed with mustard seed powder to create yellow mustard.

Q: What are some traditional uses of turmeric?

Turmeric has been used for centuries in South Asian and Indian cuisine. It adds an earthy, slightly bitter taste to curries and is also used in Indonesian recipes. Additionally, throughout generations, turmeric has been used for its medicinal qualities, such as being anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

Q: Are there any health benefits associated with turmeric?

Yes, turmeric has been found to have potential health benefits. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has shown antioxidant properties and has been found to kill cancer cells in lab samples. Furthermore, it has been found to reduce the growth of cancer cells and tumors in lab animals.

Q: How did mustard originate?

Mustard dates back to ancient Rome, where it was made by combining mustard seeds with unfermented grape juice, called "burning juice." It gained popularity in Rome and continued to spread into their conquered territories. Dijon, France, is known as the mustard capital of the world for its unique Dijon mustard.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Yellow mustard gets its color from turmeric, not mustard seeds, which are actually grayish-brown.

• Turmeric is a plant native to South Asia and is used as a natural food dye and in many Indian dishes.

• Turmeric has medicinal properties and has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and potential cancer-fighting agent.