# :Sigh: Strange mustard.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 18, 2015, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142 "2015-01-18T06:53:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/1 "2015-01-18T06:53:38Z")
This isn’t really a Pitting, so I’m putting it in CS.
I bought some cheap yellow mustard at Aldi the other day. Its recipe seems to have been designed by someone who thought it sufficiently mustardy to take vinegar and turmeric, add onion, and come up with something that tastes vaguely of pickle relish.
It doesn’t taste particularly mustardy to me.
:sigh:
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/2 "2015-01-18T07:00:49Z")
your purchase doesn’t cut the mustard.
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### Author:  [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/3 "2015-01-18T08:32:17Z")
Do the ingredients list any mustard seed?
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### Author:  [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/4 "2015-01-18T08:43:32Z")
Huh thought I posted here?
Anyway yea I have noticed this reduction in mustard flavor in cheap mustard, also noticed cheap ketchup tasting sweeter and less tomatoish.
I’m guessing they have figured out they can save money and please consumers by leaving out expensive stuff and loading up the corn syrup.
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### Author:  [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/5 "2015-01-18T09:31:37Z")
One thing I learnt on my first trip to the USA was that yellow mustard in the States is a very different beast to the English mustard.
They are both yellow but only one is “mustard”
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### Author:  [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/6 "2015-01-18T10:20:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> **Strange Mustard**
Band name!
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### Author:  [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/7 "2015-01-18T12:52:37Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> Band name!
Ninja’d!
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### Author:  [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/8 "2015-01-18T14:04:28Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> Band name!
[Taken.](http://www.last.fm/music/Strange+Mustard) Dammit, Germany! There go my dreams.
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### Author:  [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/9 "2015-01-18T16:28:41Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> One thing I learnt on my first trip to the USA was that yellow mustard in the States is a very different beast to the English mustard.
>
> They are both yellow but only one is “mustard”
There are many varieties in the world, each suited to the culture and cuisine it’s made for. Mustard does not have an iconic variety, unlike ketchup.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/10 "2015-01-18T16:31:31Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> One thing I learnt on my first trip to the USA was that yellow mustard in the States is a very different beast to the English mustard.
>
> They are both yellow but only one is “mustard”
The Chinese would like to have a word or two with you.
As would the Germans, the French, etc.
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### Author:  [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/11 "2015-01-18T18:00:22Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> One thing I learnt on my first trip to the USA was that yellow mustard in the States is a very different beast to the English mustard.
>
> They are both yellow but only one is “mustard”
While most people in this country inexplicably prefer that yellow mustard, we fortunately have a wide variety available in many levels of spiciness and colored anywhere from bright yellow to very dark brown. I’d bet that there is some brand available that’s close to what you’re used to. I wouldn’t be surprised if some English brands were available at least in some stores.
If you’re talking about what’s available at restaurants and hot dog stands, then yeah, you’re usually stuck with that dayglo yellow stuff.
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### Author:  [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/12 "2015-01-18T18:55:55Z")
o/` Straaange mustard,
doob ah do wah.
Straaaange mustard,
doob ah do wah.
Straaange mustard.
I got a…strange muuuustard!
Do ba do ba do bah do!
Strange muuuuuustard!
Do ba do ba do bah do! o/` \
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/13 "2015-01-18T20:31:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> One thing I learnt on my first trip to the USA was that yellow mustard in the States is a very different beast to the English mustard.
>
> They are both yellow but only one is “mustard”
Yep. America only has one kind of mustard. Except for [these](http://www.mustardmuseum.com).
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### Author:  [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/14 "2015-01-19T00:17:59Z")
So this thread really is about mustard.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/15 "2015-01-19T00:38:31Z")
America does have one kind of mustard that’s far prevalent over the other kinds. It visually bears a strong resemblance to English mustard (or at least, to some English mustards), but the flavor is completely different, and much weaker.
We do have many other varieties, though, even if they’re not as common. Including, in my own particular corner of the US, the [best mustard in the world](http://www.bertmanballparkmustard.com/).
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### Author:  [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/16 "2015-01-19T05:29:56Z")
I always look at the many different brands at my local Wegman’s wondering what I should try. They have the obvious mass market brands like French’s (the most prevalent yellow mustard) and Gulden’s (which is better, but I’m growing bored of it.).
They also have a number of more obscure brands that look interesting, but making products look interesting is what marketers do, and it says more about their skill than about the actual attributes or quality of the products.
Can anyone recommend some really good mustards? **Chronos** mentioned Bertman. I’m not sure if that’s available locally (Philly metro area) but I may check it out. Any other recommendations?
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### Author:  [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/17 "2015-01-19T08:04:49Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#):
>
> This isn’t really a Pitting, so I’m putting it in CS.
>
> I bought some cheap yellow mustard at Aldi the other day. Its recipe seems to have been designed by someone who thought it sufficiently mustardy to take vinegar and turmeric, add onion, and come up with something that tastes vaguely of pickle relish.
>
> It doesn’t taste particularly mustardy to me.
>
> :sigh:
GAH! NO NO NO No no. Don’t buy the cheap yellow mustard ANYWHERE if you want something that isn’t crap. Even Aldi has better than that kiddie, road sign yellow nonsense. Try their Burman’s Spicy Brown Mustard. It’s not spicy like burning, it’s spicy like mustard.
Ingredients: White distilled vinegar and water, #1 grade mustard seed, salt, spices, turmeric, natural flavoring
It’s pretty good for inexpensive mustard.
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### Author:  [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/18 "2015-01-19T10:32:21Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Yep. America only has one kind of mustard. Except for [these](http://www.mustardmuseum.com).
Bloody hell some people are sensitive. Especially you **Silenus**.
I never said or suggested that there was only one variety of mustard in the US (or the rest of the world), nor that only “pure bred English mustard!” was worthy of the title MUSTARD ™. Note that I use the term “English Mustard” to refer to a variety, not a location.
It was merely an observation that two common, superficially similar mustards in two different countries taste very, very different. That is all. And in my opinion only one actually tastes of mustard.
I travel widely across Europe and I’m perfectly aware that other mustards are available. One of my favourite skiing lunches is a classic Frankfurter or Grillwurstel with dark rye bread, grated horseradish and whatever local “senf” is on offer.
I suspect that if you offered the locals the ubiquitous yellow US mustard there would be a riot.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/19 "2015-01-19T10:41:09Z")
Well, Aldi has a lot of products that taste weird. And it’s not because they are cheap or anything, as it’s often stuff that’s cheaper elsewhere and tastes normal.
Their salsa is the first salsa I will not eat. It was actually _bitter_. And, no, I’m not a super taster, and cilantro tastes great.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-strange-mustard/710142/20 "2015-01-19T16:31:38Z")
> [@davidm](#):
>
> I wouldn’t be surprised if some English brands were available at least in some stores.
They definitely do have at least Colman’s around here.
I grew up eating Eastern European and German mustards (that’s what we generally had around the house), but I love plain ol’ American yellow mustard as well. It depends on what you’re eating it with. A hot dog, in my opinion, would be overpowered by pretty much any other mustard. A Polish I’ll eat with a stronger mustard [this one being my favorite](http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2011/02/22/that-zesty-kosciuszko), but a regular hot dog? It just completely obliterates it. I also like the ubiquitous yellow stuff on my burgers.
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