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A little reason to celebrate

National Mustard Day

Food · The first Saturday in August

A day for mustard, the sharp yellow, brown and grainy condiment made from mustard seeds, and the many ways Americans put it on food.

National Mustard Day falls on Saturday, August 7, 2027. That is 284 days away.

Mustard starts as a small seed. Ground or cracked and mixed with liquid such as water, vinegar or wine, it becomes the condiment found in nearly every American refrigerator door. Mustard Day falls on the first Saturday in August, right in the middle of grilling season.

The familiar bright yellow kind gets its color from turmeric and tastes mild and tangy. Brown and spicy brown mustards bring more heat. Dijon is smooth and sharp, and whole grain mustard keeps the seeds visible, so it pops a little when you bite it. Honey mustard softens the bite with sweetness.

The heat in mustard is a curious thing. It comes from a reaction that happens when the crushed seeds meet liquid, and it tends to rise up the nose rather than linger on the tongue the way chili heat does. Cold liquid gives a hotter result, which is why freshly mixed mustard powder can be startling.

Most people mark the day the obvious way, on a hot dog, a pretzel or a sandwich. Others line up a few jars and taste them side by side, which shows quickly how different they are. Mustard also works quietly in kitchens, holding vinaigrettes together and giving a glaze or potato salad some backbone.

A spoonful whisked into oil and vinegar keeps the two from separating for a while, so even a plain salad dressing gets a little help from the jar.

Ways to celebrate

• Taste three different mustards side by side on plain pretzels.
• Whisk a spoonful of Dijon into a homemade vinaigrette.
• Try whole grain mustard on a sandwich instead of your usual spread.
• Mix honey and mustard for a simple dipping sauce.
• Look for a mustard you have never tried at the grocery store.

Dates

Categories: Food days