If hot dogs epitomize a slice of American life, then you could say mustard adds the spice to life. But choosing a mustard can be a bit complicated, whether you like the traditional kind or you’re partial to Dijon, which can have a more intense flavor. Consumer Reports has sized up big-name mustards.
Without knowing which one they were trying, sensory panelists sampled mustards several times, evaluating them for texture and flavor. Consumer Reports found that you don’t need to spend a lot for a good mustard.
In fact the most expensive mustard tested, Annie’s Naturals Organic yellow, which cost eight times more per serving than some of the others, tasted good but was the lowest-rated yellow mustard.
Gulden’s yellow was top rated for a fraction of the price. Its texture is somewhat coarse, and its flavors are more complex than others. It’s tastier than your average ballpark mustard, with hints of caraway and dill pickle.
Another very good, inexpensive yellow mustard is French’s Classic. Testers found that it has a slight kick, a moderately sour flavor, and a hint of cayenne pepper.
If Dijon is more your taste, try Grey Poupon. It’s flavorful and pungent, but you will pay a little more for it. For about a third of the price, Walmart’s Great Value All Natural Dijon also rated very good in Consumer Reports’ tests. Any of those are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
While mustards can vary greatly, they all have the same basic ingredients: ground mustard seeds, some spices, vinegar, and water, a combination which not only adds a zing of flavor but helps keep the calories down. The recommended mustards had a mere 5 calories per teaspoon, or even less.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports’ website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
