Mustard seeds, light

The light mustard seed probably comes from the Mediterranean region, but various cultivars are also grown in northern, central and southern Europe. Related species are S. cernua (syn. Brassica cernua) from China and Eruca sativa (syn. Brassica eruca) from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Mustard is a popular ingredient for cooked or grilled meat in Western Europe (and the USA), and is also often used in sauces. Since mustard seeds contain emulsifiers, mustard not only improves the taste but also improves the stability of emulsified sauces. Mustard seeds are often added to pickled vegetables (pickles).