Consumer Reports Puts Mustard To The Test

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Chances are you have a couple of jars of mustard in your fridge. Consumer Reports has sized up big-name varieties just in time for your summer picnics and barbecues.

If hot dogs epitomize a slice of American life, then you could say mustard adds the spice to life.

However, choosing a mustard can be a bit complicated.

Consumer Reports put 11 kinds of mustard to the test. They tested five yellows and six Dijons to find out which were the best.

Without knowing which one they were trying, sensory panelists sampled each one several times and evaluated them for texture and flavor.

"We found you don't need to spend a lot for a good mustard," Amy Keating from Consumer Reports said.

The most expensive mustard tested was Annie's Naturals Organic Yellow. It cost eight times more per serving than some of the others. While it tasted good, it 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," Keating said.

Another very good, inexpensive yellow mustard was French's Classic. Testers found 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 well in Consumer Reports' tests.

While mustard can vary greatly, they all have the same basic ingredients - ground mustard seeds, some spices, vinegar, and water. It's a combination which not only adds a zing of flavor, but helps keep the calories down.

The recommended brands had a mere five calories per teaspoon or less.

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