Recipe and Remedy
Mustard Oil
Uses and benefits
What is Mustard Oil?
Mustard oil is a popular cooking oil in the Indian subcontinent known for its strong and spicy flavor. It is made by pressing brownish or black mustard seeds, which originate from the mustard plant belonging to India, Pakistan, Nepal, and southern Asia. The oil adds a unique and poignant scent to meals making it an essential component in conventional cuisine.
When these seeds are crushed, they release a liquid called allyl isothiocyanate, which is responsible for mustard oil’s sharp smell and tangy taste. This gives foods prepared with mustard oil a distinctive yellow or golden color and intense flavor. Compared to other cooking oils, mustard oil contains fewer calories and more healthy fats. It is considered to be one of the healthier oils used in cooking.
Mustard oil has been used for thousands of years in Indian/Pakistani cooking. It is especially popular in eastern Indian states like West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam. Here it is commonly known as sarson ka tel. Due to its strong flavor, only a small amount of mustard oil is needed to impart lots of taste to dishes. It is mostly used for tempering vegetables, beans, and lentils. The spicy aroma of mustard oil also helps stimulate the appetite.
