Mustard seed facts for kids
 |
|
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2,126 kJ (508 kcal) |
|
28.09 g
|
|
| Sugars | 6.79 g |
| Dietary fiber | 12.2 g |
|
36.24 g
|
|
| Saturated | 1.989 g |
| Monounsaturated | 22.518 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 10.088 g |
|
Protein
|
26.08 g
|
| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
|
| Vitamin A equiv. |
0%
2 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
70%
0.805 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
22%
0.261 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
30%
4.733 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
31%
0.397 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
41%
162 μg |
| Vitamin B12 |
0%
0 μg |
| Vitamin C |
9%
7.1 mg |
| Vitamin E |
34%
5.07 mg |
| Vitamin K |
5%
5.4 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
|
| Calcium |
27%
266 mg |
| Iron |
71%
9.21 mg |
| Magnesium |
104%
370 mg |
| Phosphorus |
120%
841 mg |
| Potassium |
28%
828 mg |
| Sodium |
1%
13 mg |
| Zinc |
64%
6.08 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 5.27 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
Mustard seeds are tiny round seeds. They come from different kinds of mustard plants. These seeds are usually very small, about 1 to 2 millimeters wide. They can be yellowish-white, brown, or even black.
Mustard seeds are a very important spice. People use them in many different foods around the world. They come from three main types of mustard plants: black mustard, brown Indian mustard, or white/yellow mustard.
When you grind these seeds and mix them with water, vinegar, or other liquids, you get the yellow condiment we call prepared mustard.
Contents
How Mustard Seeds Are Used Around the World
Mustard seeds are a popular spice in many places. Let's explore how different cultures use them.
Mustard Seeds in India
In the Indian subcontinent, mustard seeds are a key spice. People often fry the seeds until they pop. This adds a unique flavor to dishes. The leaves of the mustard plant are also cooked. They are stir-fried and eaten as a vegetable.
In Maharashtra, a region in India, people use mustard oil for body massages. This is especially common during cold winters. They believe it helps keep the body warm. In Bengali cuisine, mustard oil is the main oil used for cooking. It gives many dishes their special taste. Mustard seeds are also vital in spicy fish dishes like jhaal and paturi.
Many Indian pickles use mustard seeds. These pickles often contain mangoes, red chili powder, and ground mustard seed. They are preserved in mustard oil and are very popular in southern India.
Mustard Seeds in North America
In North America, mustard seeds are used in spices and condiments. Yellow mustard is very popular in the United States. It is often used as a condiment on sandwiches and other foods.
To make this condiment, mustard seeds are first ground into a powder. Then, they are mixed with other ingredients. Did you know that about 1,000 mustard seeds are used to make just one small bottle (8 ounces) of prepared mustard?
Growing Mustard Plants
Mustard plants are interesting to grow. They need certain conditions to thrive.
Germination and Growth
Mustard seeds usually sprout in about eight to ten days. For this to happen, they need a cool place and soil that is quite moist. Once they grow, mature mustard plants become like small shrubs.
Different types of mustard plants grow at different speeds. Yellow mustard plants are ready to harvest in about 85 to 90 days. Brown and oriental mustard plants take a bit longer, around 90 to 95 days. If the weather is good for growing, a mustard plant will start to bud about five weeks after its seedlings appear. The plant will be in full bloom about 7 to 10 days after that.
Yield and Production Areas
Brown and oriental mustard plants often produce more seeds than yellow mustard. The longer a plant blooms, the more seeds it tends to produce.
Mustard grows best in places with moderate temperatures. Some of the main countries that grow mustard seeds include India, Pakistan, Canada, Nepal, Hungary, Great Britain, and the United States. Brown and black mustard seeds generally give higher yields than yellow mustard seeds.
Mustard seeds are also a great source of oil and protein. The seeds can contain as much as 46-48% oil. The whole seed meal, which is what's left after the oil is extracted, has about 43.6% protein.
Mustard Seed Production Around the World
Here is a table showing the top countries that produced mustard seeds in 2015.
| Country | Production (tonnes) | Footnote | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pakistan |
233,000 | ||||
 India |
200,000+ | ||||
 Canada |
154,500 | ||||
 Nepal |
142,920 | ||||
 Myanmar |
91,000 | - |  Russia |
54,682 | |
 Ukraine |
30,170 | ||||
 China |
17,000 | F | |||
 United States |
16,660 | ||||
 France |
14,000 | F | |||
 Czech Republic |
13,378 | ||||
 Germany |
10,500 | F | |||
| World | 571,880 | A | |||
| * = Unofficial figure | [ ] = Official data | A = May include official, semi-official or estimated data F = FAO estimate | Im = FAO data based on imputation methodology | M = Data not available Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
|||||
In North America, mustard is grown as a special crop. Most of it is produced in the upper Midwest United States and Canada. In 2020, the United States produced about 81.8 million pounds of mustard.
Other Uses for Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds have uses beyond just food.
Improving Soil Health
Ground mustard seed meal can be used to help soil. It acts as a natural soil amendment. This means it helps manage diseases that live in the soil and can harm other crops.
Diseases Affecting Mustard Seeds
Like many other seeds, mustard seeds can carry tiny living things called seed borne pathogens. These pathogens can affect how well the seeds sprout, also known as their germination rate.
For example, in Bangladesh, scientists found several types of fungi on mustard seeds. These included Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. These fungi can cause diseases in the mustard plants.
See also
In Spanish: Granos de mostaza para niños
