Mustard seed
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Mustard seeds

Mustard seeds of the various mustard plants are among the smallest of seeds. The seeds are about 3mm in diameter, and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are important spices in many regional cuisines. The seeds can come from three different plants: black mustard (Brassica nigra), brown Indian mustard (B. juncea), and white mustard (B. hirta/Sinapis alba).

History

Indians have used mustard seeds and almonds in their food for over two thousand years.^{citation needed}

The French have used mustard seeds as a spice since 800 AD, and it was amongst spices taken by the Spanish on explorations throughout the fifteenth century.

Gautama Buddha told the story of the grieving mother (Kisa Gotami) and the mustard seed. When a mother loses her only son, she takes his body to the Buddha to find a cure. The Buddha asks her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a family that has never lost a child, husband, parent or friend. When the mother is unable to find such a house in her village, she realizes that death is common to all, and she cannot be selfish in her grief. ¹

In the Quran, Allah states that the scales of justice will be established on the Day of Judgment, and no soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for because God is the most efficient reckoner.²

Jewish texts compare the knowable universe to the size of a mustard seed to demonstrate the world's insignificance and to teach humility.^{citation needed}

In the Christian New Testament, the mustard seed is used by Jesus as a model for the kingdom of God which initially starts small but grows to be the biggest of all garden plants. Faith is also spoken about in the context of a mustard seed.³⁴⁵⁶⁷

Regional usage

Aavakaaya (Telugu: ఆవకాయ),Sasive (Kannada:ಸಾಸಿವೆ) is a variety of Indian pickle consisting mainly of mangoes, red chilli powder and aavaa pindi (powdered mustard) preserved in Mustard oil is popular in South India with its origin in Andhra Pradesh.

These Mustard seeds are also known as "Sarson" and is very popular in North India. In North sarson ka Saag is very popular.

"sarson ka tel" Mustard oil is very good for body massage during extreme winters, as it keeps the body warm and moist.

Cultivation

Mustard seeds generally take 3–10 days to germinate if placed under the proper conditions, which include a cold atmosphere and relatively moist soil. Mature mustard plants grow into shrubs.

Mustard grows well in temperate regions. Major producers of mustard seeds include Hungary, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, Canada (90%) and the United States. Brown and black mustard seeds return higher yields than their yellow counterparts.⁸

In Pakistan after cotton, rapeseed-mustard is the second most important source of oil in Pakistan. It is cultivated over an area of 307,000 hectares with annual production of 233,000 tonnes and contribute about 17% to the domestic production of edible oil.

Rapeseed and mustard seed is a rich source of oil and protein. The seed has oil as high as 46-48 percent, Whole seed meal has 43.6 percent protein. Rapeseed meal is an excellent feed for animals.

Canola: Canola is different from rapeseed and it is lower in erucic acid and glucosinolates, which are anti-nutritive and health. Canola type varieties are free of these elements.

Gallery

Oil being extracted from mustard seeds	Ox-powered mustard seed mill	Black Mustard seeds close-up	Yellow Mustard seeds close-up
Mustard seed close-up	Mustard seed oil	Brown mustard seed

See also

• Parable of the Mustard Seed
• Mustard (condiment)

References

External links

• http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhistory/a/mustardhistory.htm
• The History of Mustard