Mustard Seed, Black
Black Mustard Seed, Organic
This is the true black mustard, Brassica nigra, native the eastern Mediterranean and now cultivated throughout the world. This variety is not often grown commercially because the plants are 5-7 feet high and the seed pods must be hand-harvested. Other mustard plants are shorter and can be machine harvested. Black mustard is more pungent than yellow (white) or brown varieties. It has higher levels of isothiocyanates, the spicy compound found in horseradish and wasabi. Black mustard seeds are yellow on the inside and release their healthy oils when crushed or heated. In India where it is used most often, the seeds are roasted until they pop and release the natural nutty, hot flavor.
Despite the name, these seeds are reddish in color, and a much light brown than our brown mustard seeds.
Product of the USA Certified Organic by CCOF
Organic (tame) black mustard, variety 'Golden Trail' growing on the Durst ranch, May 2011.
Photo credit: Annie Main, Good Humus Farm.
This is the first crop variety of black mustard grown in North America since around 1965, and probably the first new variety in over 60 years. In addition to being grown for consumption, mustard plants will be planted in almond orchards in California, as a flower crop for bees pollinating the orchards.
