Mustard 101: Where to find the best French mustards

Mustard seeds have been cultivated in China and the Indus Valley since 4000 BC, and mustard – made from mixing mustard seeds and vinegar – has been around since Ancient Rome. The first recipe for mustard appears in a Roman cookbook called “De Re Coquinaria,” which translates to “On the Subject of Cooking.” The mustard in this ancient recipe is made with mustard seeds, pepper, honey, vinegar, and herbs.

Mustard first came to Paris in the 10th century when the monks of Saint Germain des Près began using imported mustard seeds. By the 13th century, Dijon had become a mustard hub, and it remains the mustard capital of the world today, along with the French city of Meaux.

Mustard has been well-loved by the French since the 14th century when the government first introduced regulations on mustard recipes. Throughout history, popes and kings have even appointed their own mustard-makers, though the condiment was enjoyed by both royals and commoners alike.

France is famous for Dijon-style mustard, but you can also find whole-grain mustard, honey mustard, and other unique variations. Below, we’ve rounded up the best French mustards, from familiar favourites to hard-to-find boutique brands.

Pommery

Sold in its iconic stoneware jar, Pommery’s Moutarde de Meaux has been produced in the city of Meaux since the 1700s. This original mustard is a grainy, stone-ground variety with a richer and deeper flavour than Dijon. Besides their traditional recipe, Pommery also offers variations with ingredients like honey, cognac, fig, truffle, or green peppercorn. They even have a finely ground version, called “fine,” that resembles traditional Dijon.

Where to find it: While you might occasionally find Pommery at grocery stores in the UK, you can order it from speciality stores or directly from the Pommery website.

Bornier

Spicy and tangy, Bornier is a traditional Dijon mustard that has been made in France for over 200 years. There are three varieties: original, a smooth, creamy Dijon; whole grain, packed with crunchy mustard seeds; and honey mustard, made with 10% honey. The Dijon and whole grain varieties are also available in organic versions.

Where to find it: All Bornier varieties can be found on Amazon, and you can find the organic versions at shops like Whole Foods.

Maille

Arguably the most famous French mustard brand, Maille has been around for centuries, selling vinegar and mustard in Paris and Dijon. Common versions include Dijon and Whole Grain. In France, you’ll find varieties with truffles, grilled onions, walnuts, pesto, black currants, and more.

Where to find it: Visit your local grocery store, order online from Amazon, or stop by a Maille boutique in Bordeaux, Paris, Dijon, Melbourne, or London.

Amora

An offshoot of the Maille brand, Amora mustard is a popular choice in France. With the tagline “fine et forte,” it’s spicier than regular Dijon, and you can find an “extra forte” version. Amora is more affordable and found in nearly every French kitchen.

Where to find it: Amora is easy to find in any French supermarket, and you can find them in some supermarkets in England too.

Edmond Fallot

Edmond Fallot has been crafting world-class French mustard in their family-run mustard mill in Burgundy since 1840. Nowadays, the business also sells vinegar, relish, and mustard in plenty of varieties and flavours. Their traditional mustards include a creamy Dijon-style and a whole grain variety. They also produce speciality flavours like walnut, basil, honey, fig, and more.

Where to find it: You can find the original Dijon and whole grain styles at gourmet shops around the country, or order one of the speciality flavours from Amazon. You can also visit the Edmond Fallot boutiques in Beaune and Dijon.

www.fallot.com

Maison Pebeyre

Maison Pebeyre is one of France’s oldest family-run truffle houses. They produce a rare and luxurious mustard that’s quite hard to find.

Since 1897, Maison Pebeyre has been renowned for its high-quality truffles, shipping these exquisite products around the world. With their world-class truffles, Maison Pebeyre offers a range of gourmet items, including white truffle oil, truffle mayonnaise, truffle salt, truffle honey, and their famous truffle mustard.

Where to find it: Your best bet for finding a jar of Maison Pebeyre’s truffle Dijon is to visit a local gourmet shop that specialises in French products. 
www.pebeyre.com