Mustard is the perfect condiment: huge in flavor, low in calories, and with an exceptionally long shelf life.
Today, people all over the world, and especially those in Middleton, WI, will join together in honoring the powerful ancient condiment known as mustard. The Mustard Museum will host its annual street festival with music, mustardy treats and more. Some people won’t even know they’re celebrating, as they slather their hot dogs, brats and pretzels in various forms. That’s just how popular mustard is.
Mustard Day History
Mustard Day began back in 1991 when Barry Levinson, former Assistant Attorney General for Wisconsin and huge Boston Red Sox fan, quit his legal career to start the National Mustard Museum after his mustard and mustard memorabilia collection grew out of control. His obsession started back in 1986, when he found himself wandering the aisles of an all night grocery store following the World Series. Devastaged by the Sox loss, his only comfort was in the tremendous variety of mustards he found in the store.
The Origins of Mustard
The oldest known use of mustard was the use of its seeds more than 10,000 years ago in stone age Syria. It was refined into yellow mustard during the Zhou Dynasty in China, and the French started being known for their Dijon by the 13th Century. The first time it was ever recorded being used on a hot dog was at the 1904 St. Louis World’s fair, though the Germans have probably been putting it on sausage since the 800s. Now it has an infinite number of culinary uses, from emulsifying dressings to pickling cucumbers to ice cream.
How To Celebrate National Mustard Day
There are so many ways you can celebrate Mustard Day: wander the grocery store like Barry and find new varieties to do a self-guided mustard tasting, have a mustard based food competition with your friends, or just enjoy your favorite mustardy meal.
One spoonful of mustard is only about 10 calories, so don’t worry about the volume. It’s also rich in selenium, magnesium and even omega-3s, so it’s practically a health food! Pile it on and enjoy its sour tangy flavor guilt free!
Whether you’ve been experimenting with mustards for years or have only enjoyed the classic yellow on a brat, National Mustard Day is the perfect day to expand your horizons. This August 2nd, raise your hot dog and join millions of Americans in toasting the only condiment that truly matters: mustard.