 Ateaspoon of Dijon mustard | |
| Type | Condiment |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Region or state | Burgundy |
| Main ingredients | Mustard seeds,white wine orwine vinegar,water,salt |
| Similar dishes | Creole mustard,kasundi |
Dijon mustard (French:Moutarde de Dijon) is a traditionalmustard from France. It is named after the city ofDijon inBurgundy, which was the center of mustard making in the lateMiddle Ages and was granted exclusive rights in France in the 17th century.[1] First used in 1336 for the table ofKing Philip VI,[2] it assumed its current form in 1856 when Jean Naigeon of Dijon replaced the vinegar usually used in prepared mustard withverjuice, the acidic juice of unripe grapes.[3]
The main ingredients are brown mustard seeds (Brassica juncea) and a mixture ofwhite wine, vinegar, water, and salt designed to imitate the original verjuice.[4][5][6] It can be used as an accompaniment to all meats, or mixed with other ingredients to make a sauce.[7]
In 2008, multinational packaged goods companyUnilever, which had several mustard plants in Europe, closed theAmora manufacturing plant. Since July 15, 2009, Amora's Dijon mustard is no longer manufactured and packaged in the town of Dijon, but in the neighbouring town ofChevigny-Saint-Sauveur.[8] TheGrey Poupon mustard brand available in the United States originated in Dijon in 1866.[9]
France requires 35,000 tonnes of mustard seed to make Dijon mustard and 80% of the seed is imported from Canada, mainly from Alberta and Saskatchewan where most of Canada's mustard seeds are grown.[10][11] Canadian production experienced a smaller crop in 2022 caused by a heatwave. The 2022 drought resulted in halving its usual harvest.[12] The 2022 shortage was exacerbated by stockpiling by consumers.[13]
Dijon mustard does not have aprotected geographical indication (PGI). A 1937 decree ruled that "Dijon mustard" can be used as generic designation and has no link to a specificterroir.[14] However, "moutarde de Bourgogne" has a PGI, and its seeds have to be produced inBourgogne.[15]
