Black Mustard Seeds

Brassica nigra

There are approximately 40 varieties of mustard plants grown around the world but only 3 of these are used to produce mustard seeds – white mustard (more commonly called yellow mustard, Brassica alba), brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and black mustard (Brassica nigra). Black mustard seeds have a well-deserved reputation for their pungent spicy aroma and flavor and are a common ingredient in Indian cooking. The pungency of black mustard is more robust than of brown mustard, and is not easily found these days. Like many heirlooms, the rarity has nothing to do with flavor but rather everything to do with convenience. Unlike their yellow and brown cousins, black mustard cannot be harvested by machines which makes production much more expensive. Black Mustard Seeds give a pleasant, complex flavor to spice blends, and are often used in Dijon mustards and whole seed deli mustards. Try them in curries and soups, and tossed with vegetables or potatoes before roasting. 

SMALL FARM GROWN by Full Sky Farm, Reading, KS