Mustard Seed

Mustard seed is the small, round seed of mustard plants, sold whole in yellow, brown, or black varieties. It tastes pungent and nutty, popping gently when fried; cooks bloom the seeds in hot oil, toast them, or grind them into pastes and rubs for pickles, curries, and dressings.

Domesticated from Brassica and Sinapis species, the spice spread from the Mediterranean and South Asia through trade and cultivation; brown and black seeds feature in Indian and Ethiopian cuisines, while yellow types are common in Europe and North America. Seeds are dried after harvest and cleaned for market.