Mustard oil: sharp, aromatic, with one important caveat
A star in South Asian cooking, to be enjoyed with care here. We sort it out honestly.
To the factsStrong in taste, high in erucic acid
Mustard oil is pressed from mustard seed and is sharp, spicy and very aromatic. In parts of Asia it is a cornerstone of the cuisine. It does, however, contain a lot of erucic acid, which is why in the EU it is only marketable as a pure food oil to a limited extent.
You therefore often find it with a note that it is intended for external use only.
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What to watch for
- Read the label: some products are approved as food, others expressly for external use only.
- Mind the erucic acid: the high content is the reason for the restrictions, and that is no detail.
- Sparingly in the kitchen: where it is permitted as food, a little goes a long way thanks to the pungency.
- External use: traditionally also used for massage, test tolerance first here.
Said honestly
Mustard oil is fascinating in taste, but it is no harmless everyday oil, the high erucic acid content leads to clear legal restrictions. Look closely at the label and use it only as the particular product intends. We make no healing promises. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Mustard oil , Wikipedia