Famous Personalities and Their Love for Mustard

Throughout history, mustard has had many famous fans from various walks of life who helped popularize and spread the zesty yellow paste around the globe.

King Louis XIV of France

The Sun King himself was one of mustard's biggest royal admirers. During his reign in the 17th century, he granted an edict protecting the region around Dijon as the sole maker of authentic Dijon mustard within France. Louis XIV even had his own personal mustard maker appointed to the royal court. Legend has it that no meal was served without a pot of freshly made Dijon mustard for the king.

Benjamin Franklin

One of America's most iconic Founding Fathers also helped introduce mustard to the young nation. During his time as an ambassador living in France, Benjamin Franklin became enamored with classic French mustards. He praised them extensively in letters home and brought mustard seeds and recipes back to Pennsylvania. Franklin is credited with helping start America's first mustard mills and igniting the young country's taste for mustard.

Mark Twain

The great American author and humorist had a soft spot for mustard. Twain claimed the bright yellow condiment always lifted his spirits when he was down, calling mustard a "perpetual delightor." While traveling on the literary circuit, Twain specified he required mustard to be packaged with all his meals on the road. One apocryphal tale claims Twain once used mustard to repair cracked stove doors during a bitterly cold winter.

Édith Piaf

The legendary French songstress known as the Little Sparrow had fierce Gallic pride in mustard. Before performances, Piaf insisted that only local French mustard be served with her pre-show meals. She claimed Dijon mustard's rich flavor helped warm up her vocal cords. Later in life, Piaf launched an unsuccessful business selling prepared mustard blends under her own name.

Pope John XXII

The 14th century leader of the Catholic Church had roots in the mustard world. Born in France, he hailed from the town of Cahors - once a major center of mustard making. Pope John is said to have brought a ceramic pot of local mustard wherever he traveled and spread the Gospel. Some say he helped Catholic monasteries cultivate mustard crops and mustard-making skills across medieval Europe.

Mustard has been prized by royals, writers, performers, and even popes over the centuries. While it's now a commonplace item, these famous mustard lovers throughout history championed the tangy condiment and turned it into an international favorite. Mustard may just be one of the world's most historically revered condiments.