The full story
A traditional yellow mustard needs four things: mustard seed, vinegar, salt, spices. That is it. Flip a few bottles at the grocery store and you will find some lists that stretch into preservatives, gums, coloring agents, and undisclosed natural flavors. The short label almost always tastes cleaner.
Issue 78 · 01
What belongs on a mustard label
- Mustard seed (whole or ground)
- Vinegar (distilled, apple cider, or white wine)
- Salt
- No dyes, the color comes from the mustard seed itself
- Spices (real peppers if spicy)
Issue 78 · 02
What to skip
- High fructose corn syrup or added sugars on a yellow mustard
- EDTA, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate (preservatives you do not need)
- Xanthan gum, modified food starch, gum arabic (texture fillers)
- "Natural flavors" with no source declared
Issue 78 · 03
Why 78 mustard reads short
Both our Yellow and Spicy mustards keep it to six: water, white mustard seed, vinegar, sugar, salt, and the spices that define the heat. No HFCS, no gums, no preservatives, no hidden flavors. The label is short because the recipe is. For how the styles differ before you even read a label, see our guide to the types of mustard.
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