National Mustard Day is today and is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in August

National Mustard Day celebrates the "King of the Condiments." When it comes to condiments, mustard is among the most popular. Mustard has been in use to spice up meals for thousands of years and it is a must have for hot dogs, sausages, and a wide range of sandwiches as well as an important ingredient in many recipes. This special day was created by the National Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin and has been an annual event in 1991.

You won't believe how easy it is to make homemade mustard, both, as a condiment, and ground up. Unless you are growing your own plants, the hardest part may be the task for finding the seeds to use.

Ground Mustard

Use dried mustard seeds. Place them in a coffee grinder, or food processor. Grind them until they are a very fine, powdery consistency. Store in a baggie, or a small jar along with your other spices.

Mustard Condiment

Use dried mustard seeds. There are a variety of seeds. White, or yellow seeds make a yellow mustard. Brown seeds make a stronger, more pungent brown mustard. Place seeds and a small amount of water or vinegar into a blender. Avoid using too much liquid, or it will be runny. You can also use almost any liquid, including wine or even beer. Run blender until the mixture is smooth. Store mustard in the refrigerator.

Tip: Experiment and create your own mustard flavor. Add tiny amounts of other spices before processing. Salt, black pepper, and honey are popular choices. For some zip, add a very small amount of jalapeno peppers.

Sources:  Mustard Web, The Gardener's Network, Nuts Online