Tewkesbury mustard facts for kids

Tewkesbury mustard is a special kind of mustard. It is made from mustard flour and grated horseradish root. This mustard was first created in the English town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. It became very popular in the 1600s and was a common sauce in kitchens back then.

Even the famous writer William Shakespeare mentioned it! In his play Henry IV, Part 2, a character named Falstaff says someone's "wit's as thick as Tewkesbury Mustard." This meant the person wasn't very clever.

How it was made long ago

Originally, Tewkesbury mustard was made in a unique way. First, people would grind mustard seeds into a fine powder. Then, they would mix this powder with finely grated horseradish. Sometimes, they added other herbs and spices too.

After mixing, they would shape the mustard into small balls. These balls were then dried to help them last longer. People would transport and sell the mustard in this dried ball form.

To use the mustard balls, you would break them apart. Then, you would mix them with a liquid. This could be water, vinegar, wine, or even fruit juice. You would stir it until it became thick and creamy. Often, people added something sweet like honey. This mixture was then used as a sauce, just like mustard today. It was also sometimes used as a cure for small health problems.

Tewkesbury Mustard Today

In 1971, during the Tewkesbury Festival, people decided to bring Tewkesbury mustard back. They started making it again for sale, using the old recipes. Even though it's not made right in Tewkesbury anymore, you can still find handmade mustard there. This mustard uses ingredients from the local area.

You can still buy Tewkesbury mustard in its original ball shape. Some fancy versions are even covered in gold leaf! You can easily find it in shops around Tewkesbury. You can also find it online from 'The Tewkesbury Mustard Company'.

Other meanings of "Tewkesbury Mustard"

Over time, the name "Tewkesbury Mustard" started to be used in other ways too. It sometimes became slang for different things.

For example, in Gloucestershire, people used to say, "He looks as if he lived on Tewkesbury mustard." This phrase was used to describe someone who always looked sad, serious, or even a bit scary.