The food scene is full of perfect pairings, from salt and vinegar, pork and apple, beef and horseradish, and the ultimate - ketchup and mustard.
But like its tomato-based partner, mustard stands beautifully on its own, bringing heat and flavour to dishes with a few dollops or swipes of a knife.
Made from the seeds of the mustard plant - cousin to radishes, cabbage and watercress - mustard as we know it is mixed with water, vinegar and sometimes wine or lemon juice to form the condiment.
Western European nations are the biggest fans of the stuff, including England where we have our own distinctive version.
Strong, hot and usually a bright yellow hue, accidentally ingest too much English mustard and you’ll soon know it. Fire from the seeds shoot up your nose into your grey matter, making eyes stream uncontrollably.
In Covid times, many who suspected they had the virus marvelled at their sudden superhero-like ability to gulp down spoonfuls of the English mustard with no adverse reactions. It proved an effective test when PCR tests were in short supply.
That’s not to say English mustard should come with a danger warning on the label (although that isn’t a bad idea). Rather, use it sparingly for maximum flavour enjoyment.
French mustard, on the other hand, is an altogether more gentle beast. Mellower and more vinegary, they carry a considerably lower punch than blow-your-head-off English offerings. Dijon is the most famous, but there’s also wholegrain with a nutty texture and honey mustard with sweetness to balance the heat.
Meanwhile American mustard is the tamest in the family, barely registering on any heat index. All the better for training your kids with.
Mustard can be used as a condiment, slung into a salad dressing or added to dishes to give them a tasty leg-up.
There are tons of varieties on the market, but if you’re looking for the best, we’ve done the honours and rounded up the mustards worth your money below.
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Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard 215g
From French brand Grey Poupon comes this Dijon, so vinegary yet mellow we immediately ordered another jar once we’d clawed out the last slivers of our current one. Made with mustard seeds, water and a good glug of white wine, there is a bit of heat here (but nothing like strong English mustard), so it's best mixed with a little mayo if you're planning to slather it over a beef patty. Also stunning in a potato salad dressing.
Buy now £2.20, Amazon
Maille Dijon Original Mustard 215g
A heavyweight in the world of French mustards, Maille is a brand that needs little introduction. The brand has been marking the pantry essential condiment since 1747 and it tastes as good as it did back then, with a smooth, slightly pungent flavour that will take a humble lunchtime sarnie to grand heights.
Slather it onto various foodstuffs or spoon a dollop into a salad dressing to make a punchy vinaigrette.
Buy now £3.00, Tesco
Tracklements Mustard Bundle
Condiment connoisseurs will know Tracklements, but if you're unfamiliar, it's a British brand that makes exceptional small-batch jars of joy from its Wiltshire HQ. The 50-strong range includes varieties your grandma would love - think quinces, horseradish and redcurrant jelly - to newcomers like onion marmalade and fresh chilli jam which will transform everything from bacon rolls to stir-fries.
If it's mustard you're looking for, stop the search. The brand's three bestsellers - Strong English Mustard 140g, Spitfire Chilli Mustard 140g and Tewkesbury Hot Mustard 140g - are here for the taking—one for those who can handle their heat, and then some.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Daylesford Organic Strong English Mustard
Made to be used sparingly - unless you're rubbing it over a roasting joint - this is English mustard at its finest: bright yellow and packed with knock-your-socks-off heat.
Buy now £4.99, Daylesford Organic
French's American Classic Yellow Squeezy Mustard 226g
Probably the mildest version of mustard you can get, French's is, confusingly, an American brand. The flavour is massively dialled down compared to English and genuine French types, but the upshot is that you can go to town with it on burgers and bangers. There are more vinegary notes than plain heat, so it's perfect for giving fussy kids to try too.
Buy now £1.49, Tesco
Fortnums Highgrove Honey Mustard with Chilli, 175g
If you want to get fancy about things - and when it comes to larder staples, why not? - Fortnums is the place to go for luxe mustard. This jar comes from the King's Highgrove Estate using organic ingredients plucked from the farm's impressive gardens. The honey mustard spiked with chilli is just the kind of thing to liven up a picnic, pairing nicely with cold cuts and sausage rolls.
Buy now £5.99, F&M
Pommery French Wholegrain Mustard, Pommery Meaux Mustard - 500g
Want more moutarde for your moolah? Head to Amazon where you can find this supersized jar of French favourite, Pommery.
The brand makes its condiments in Meaux, around 40 miles outside of Paris, a cathedral town that has been making mustard since 771AD. Pommery's mustard recipe has remained intact 1632 with the wholegrain variety coming in this rustic-looking stoneware jar. Slightly spicy, highly textured and with nutty notes it will last up to 18 months if stored in a cool, dry spot.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Heinz Mayomust Mayonnaise Mustard Sauce
For most people Heinz and ketchup are synonymous, but there's so much more to the American brand. Staying in the realm of sauces, it has launched this mustard and mayonnaise combination for those who demand more from their condiments. Smooth mayo is given a loving kick from zippy mustard for a sauce that's made to be squeezed over chicken, chips and inside sarnies.
Buy now £2.50, Tesco
Colman's Original English Squeezy Mustard 150g
Colman's is to English mustard what Heinz is to ketchup - interchangeable. Made in Norwich the company has been making jars and powders of mustard for more than 200 years, blending white and brown seeds bought from local farmers. The result is a tangy, hot, unmistakably English flavour that shines on any buffet table spread.
Buy now £1.90, Sainsbury's
Rolnik Mustard 250g
Made with French Dijon but given a Polish twist, Rolnik's mustard is a thick, velvety sauce that sings with tangy flavour. It's packaged in a fun beer glass which offers obvious reusing benefits. Aside from recycling, the beer offers a hint at the beery flavour you can expect from the condiment.
Buy now £2.10, Asda
TruffleHunter Black Truffle Mustard Dijon Mustard
You'd think the two heavyweight flavours of mustard and truffle might be overdoing it, but Trufflehunter proves this isn't the case. Yes, pungent notes spill out of the glass jar, but when paired with something simple - say macaroni cheese or cheese on toast - the results are, frankly, explosive. This gourmet mustard is much thicker than others, lending itself well to spreading and mixing into ingredients.
Buy now £9.95, Amazon
