Does Mustard go bad?

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Mustard is one of the condiments which are used widely for the flavor and taste. You can use it on a number of dishes. There are more than one types of mustard, and you can use these to compliment your food. There are other people who do not like to use much mustard, and then you bring a bottle home, use it for once and then keep it in your kitchen for a month. That is the point where you are confused about mustard going bad because you want to use it once again but not sure about it being expired. Like every other food item, there is always a question asked that is “does mustard go bad?” We try to answer this question in this article. Mustard can go bad if you do not store it properly or use it after the expiry date. However, dates and timings for going bad for different types of mustard are different.

Mustard

Mustard is one of the most important items at the condiment station of every household. The main ingredient used is mustard seeds and vinegar, and then a few spices are used for added flavor. It is liked by most of the people around the globe because its composition as it is low in sugar and fat but high in sodium. It is often known as the sidekick to ketchup, and we totally agree with that. There are many types of mustards available, and people do like the variety of flavors of these mustards. You can secure your mustard by storing it properly looking at the best-before date and also by looking at the spices added for flavoring.

Does mustard go bad?

Prepared mustard does not go bad early or easily. Mustard is preserved with vinegar, and hence chances of this going bad are minimum. However, the taste, freshness, and flavor can be lost once the bottle of mustard is open. So, it is true that eventually, mustard can go bad. If you are buying mustard from a store, you should always look at the best by date or use by date which is an indication of the date till when that mustard can be used. You can use the mustard without any fear till that date because it can’t go bad till the expiry date. You can also store the mustard in better ways, so it does not go bad. Before we tell you about the better ways to store mustard, first you need to know about the bad mustard.

Telling if the Mustard has gone bad

Food is mostly spoilt by the bacteria, and we all know that bacteria and other germs are the product of the unhygienic environment. You don’t need a lab test to tell if your food has gone bad. Mustard is also one of the food items, and hence you can tell by the looks of it if the mustard has gone bad. Look at the texture of it; if the liquid is separated from the thicker part, then the mustard is bad or at least it has started getting rotten. Moreover, you will feel an unpleasant smell when you smell the mustard bottle that is also something you should consider. Consuming expired food can pose a serious health risk, and that’s why you should be very careful while using the food and always check it for going bad or rotten.

Signs of Bad Mustard

You don’t need to go to laboratory to get your food checked for expiry date or being rotten. You can trust your senses for this. Your senses sight, smell and taste can tell you everything you need to know about your food. These are the signs you should look for while telling if the mustard has gone bad.

• 1Sight: look at the color and texture of mustard, if it looks darker color than before it has gone bad.
• 2If the liquid is getting separated from the thicker part then it is also an important sign to look for.
• 3You should also look for the mold growth and always used tightly sealed jar and bottles for mustard storage.
• 4 If the mustard is dried out it should not be used as well.
• 5Smell: When the mustard starting going bad, it has an unpleasant odor and you should also smell it before using it.
• 6Taste: If you have not noticed the unpleasant smell or the bad texture of food, you can also feel the taste starts to get different than before.

If the mustard on your condiment station has any of the above-mentioned signs, then you should not use it because it has definitely gone bad.

Shelf Life of Mustard

Mustard does not expire generally because of the items used in it. It is hard to tell about the expiration date of mustard, and that’s why most of the bottles have ‘best use by’ dates and not expiry date. However, just like other food items, mustard can spoil, but it still takes years for mustard to spoil or go bad. It also depends on the way you store your mustard. The shelf life of mustard is totally dependent on the way it is used and stored. The ‘best use by’ date for mustard is also dependent on the container used for storage. Most of the bottles of mustard have a date of one year from the date of the manufacturing process. If it is stored in a glass jar or a packet, then the expiry date will be after 1.5 years and 6 months respectively. Glass jars are the best option to store any type of condiment. Hence, the mustard in a glass jar stays good for a longer period of time. It loses the taste and freshness, but it does not go bad.Mustard loses the flavor very fast once the jar is opened and that is the reason it is stored in a cool and dark place. The refrigerator is the best place once you have opened the mustard. It is only a matter of a year till mustard loses its flavor completely. It is also known that mustard can be dried out if it is not stored in an air-tight jar because the liquid will evaporate. The mentioned ‘best use-by’ dates should always be considered before applying storage methods because you never know if the date is different from the generally mentioned ones

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Storing Mustard for longer Shelf life

Mustard goes bad because of growth of bacteria and other germs. We all know that bacteria and viruses can be tackled by applying better hygienic conditions. The improved hygienic condition can also increase the shelf life. Always use dry and clean utensils to store the mustard and especially the homemade mustard. If you are using the homemade mustard, then it can be kept fresh for a longer period of time if it is stored below 4 degree Celsius. Jars should be airtight.You should also store the mustard in the cool and dry environment, and it is also recommended that the environment does not go through many temperature changes. It is known that temperature changes cause mold to grow inside the jars. Refrigeration is only required once you have opened the bottle or jar. It is known that mustard can be used till one year, but you should look for the ‘best use by’ dates, and that will tell you further about the mustard going bad early or later.

Facts about Mustard

• Mustard is not only a condiment used for the culinary purpose but before its culinary use, it was also used for cure. The reason is that it helps in digestion and increases appetite. You can also use the mustard paste for muscle relief and toothaches.
• Mustard is known to be the world’s oldest condiment and one of the ancient spices.
• Mustard was brought in France by Romans, and it was first planted in Burgundy.
• checkFrench made mustard, and in the 9th century, it was the source of income from French.
• checkMustard seeds are known to ward evils off if sprinkled outside the home.
• checkThe most amount of mustard is used in American than any other country in the world.
• checkThe Mount Horeb Mustard Museum in Wisconsin celebrates the first Saturday of each August as National Mustard Day.

Comparison Table for Different Types of Mustard and The Time They Last For

Conclusion

The answer to the question asked “does mustard go bad” is ‘yes’ it can go bad eventually. However, with proper storage and information about the best-use-by date, you can store mustard for a little longer time period than you thought. Store your mustard properly and enjoy it for years.

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