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 to this day, 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 favorites 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 US, you can order it from specialty stores or directly from the Pommery website. Just keep in mind that shipping from France to the United States may cost more than the mustard itself.
www.moutarde-de-meaux.com

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’ll be able to find the organic versions at grocery stores 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 New York City. 
www.maille.com

Amora

An offshoot of the Maille brand, Amora mustard is a popular choice in France. With the tagline “fine et forte,” it’s much spicier than regular Dijon, and you can even find an “extra forte” version, a rich and spicy condiment that will make your sinuses tingle. While brands like Maille and Pommery come in beautiful bottles with elaborately crafted labels (and the price tags to match), Amora is more affordable and can be found in French grocery stores for under 2€.

Where to find it: Amora is easily available in any French grocery store, but a bit trickier to find in the US. It’s available on Amazon, but you can get it for a better price at Le Panier Francais.

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 flavors Their traditional mustards include a creamy Dijon-style and a whole grain variety. They also produce specialty flavors 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 specialty flavors 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 in the wild is to visit a local gourmet shop that specializes in French products.
www.pebeyre.com