Types of mustard (it’s a lot)
There are many different types of mustard, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. Here are some of the most common types of mustard:
Yellow Mustard: This is the most commonly used mustard in the United States. It has a bright yellow color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
We love: Plochman’s Mild Yellow Mustard, Colman's Original English Yellow Mustard, and (hear us out!) Whataburger Original Mustard
Dijon Mustard: This type of mustard originated in France and has a more intense, tangy flavor than yellow mustard. It is made with brown or black mustard seeds, vinegar, and other seasonings.
Our favorites: Maille Mustard Dijon Originale, Roland Extra Strong Dijon Mustard and Edmond Fallot Dijon Moutarde aux Noix
Whole Grain Mustard: Whole grain mustard is made with whole mustard seeds, giving it a slightly crunchy texture and a stronger flavor than other types of mustard.
Our go-to: Lusty Monk’s “Original Sin” Mustard, Lakeshore Wholegrain Mustard with Irish Whiskey, Bornier Wholegrain Dijon Mustard and Edmond Fallot Whole Grain Mustard
Honey Mustard: Honey mustard is made with a blend of mustard and honey, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor that is perfect for dipping sauces and dressings.
Our top picks (all of which are completely different): Paradigm Foodworks Champagne Honey Mustard, Terrapin Ridge Farms Pecan Honey Mustard, Frost Ridge Maple Farms’ Champagne Maple Mustard, Manuka Doctor’s Hot & Spicy Manuka Honey Mustard and Inglehoffer Honey Mustard
Spicy Mustard: Spicy mustard can refer to any mustard that has a spicy flavor. This can include Dijon mustard, brown mustard, or any other type of mustard that has been blended with spicy ingredients like horseradish or chili peppers.
There’s a lot out there but some of our favorites include: Sweet Hot Mister Mustard, Beaver Ghost Pepper Mustard, Terrapin Ridge Farms Nashville Hot Mustard, and Maille’s collaboration with Mike's Hot Honey which resulted in this special edition savory-sweet-spicy concoction
English Mustard: English mustard is a type of mustard that is very hot and spicy. It is made with brown or black mustard seeds and is often served with roast beef or other meats.
Our favorite: Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Wholegrain Mustard
German Mustard: German mustard is similar to English mustard in terms of its spiciness, but it is often made with a mixture of yellow and brown mustard seeds.
Ones we love: Alstertor, Löwensenf Bavarian Sweet Mustard, and Haendlmaier Sweet Bavarian Mustard
Japanese Mustard: Japanese mustard, or karashi, has a milder and slightly sweet taste compared to Chinese mustard and has a strong, pungent flavor that is similar to wasabi.
Our top choice: S&B Hon Karashi Japanese Mustard
Chinese Mustard: Chinese mustard is known for its sharp, pungent, and spicy flavor. It can be more intense than other types of mustard. It’s typically made with brown or black mustard seeds which have more heat and are more pungent than white mustard seeds (the kind used to make yellow mustard), setting them apart from the rest of those squeeze bottles next to the ketchup. The seeds are dehydrated and then ground into a fine powder.
A few we love: Beaver Original Chinese Mustard, Far East Hot Mustard, and Ty Ling Naturals Chinese Style Hot Mustard
Korean Mustard: Korean mustard, or yeongyeoja, tends to be milder compared to some other mustards, with a balance of heat and tanginess. It’s commonly made with brown or yellow mustard seeds, vinegar, and sometimes sugar. Korean mustard may also include additional ingredients like garlic or soy sauce for extra depth of flavor.
Our pick: Chung Jung One Korean Hot Spicy Yellow Mustard Paste (though Woomtree Mustard Paste is also a solid choice and sometimes easier to find)
Black Mustard: Black mustard is a type of mustard that is made from black mustard seeds and often used in Indian and other South Asian cuisines.
Our top choices: Diaspora’s Bindu Black Mustard Seeds and Naturevibe Botanicals Black Mustard Powder
Tarragon Mustard: Tarragon mustard is made with fresh tarragon leaves, giving it a slightly sweet and herbaceous flavor. It is a popular condiment in French cuisine.
Our top picks: Edmond Fallot Tarragon Dijon Mustard and Moutarde a l’Estragon from Delouis
Fruit Mustard: Fruit mustard is made by combining mustard with fruit puree or juice, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor. Some popular fruit mustards include apricot, cranberry, and fig.
A few we love: Cherry Republic’s Cherry Artisan Mustard and Plochman’s Sweet Fig Craft Mustard and their Tart Cranberry Craft Mustard
Beer Mustard: Beer mustard is made by combining mustard with beer, giving it a slightly bitter and hoppy flavor. It is often used as a condiment for sausages and other meats.
Some we love: Plochman’s Craft Beer Mustard and all of the mustard flavors in this Sierra Nevada set
Spirits Mustard: Similar to beer mustards, spirit-infused mustard is also worth seeking out. Spirits-based mustard incorporates alcoholic spirits into its ingredients, adding unique flavors and depth to the condiment. The inclusion of spirits can impart distinct nuances to the mustard, enhancing its overall taste profile.
We love: Stonewall Kitchen Bourbon Molasses Mustard, Sutter Buttes Jalapeno Whiskey Mustard, Evan Williams Bourbon Honey Mustard and Boetje's makes both a bourbon barrel and rum barrel variety available in this variety pack
Garlic Mustard: Garlic mustard is made by blending garlic and mustard seeds with vinegar and other seasonings. It has a bold and tangy flavor that is perfect for adding to sandwiches and burgers.
Two we love: Terrapin Ridge Farms Creamy Garlic Mustard and Garlic Festival Foods Sweet and Spicy Garlic Mustard
Horseradish Mustard: Horseradish mustard is made by combining mustard with horseradish, giving it a spicy and pungent flavor. It is often used as a condiment for roast beef and other meats.
A few we like: Tracklements Hot Horseradish Mustard, Braswell’s Horseradish Mustard Sauce, and Edmond Fallot Horseradish Dijon Mustard
See there? Mustard is a lot.