Where do you store your mustard? Do you put it in a cabinet, leave it on the counter, or put it in the refrigerator? Does it matter?
We store our mustard in the refrigerator, but most restaurants keep mustard unrefrigerated. Which way is the correct way? Who is doing it wrong?
In order to answer these questions, Simply Recipes asked Hadar Cohen Aviram, the Executive Chef, US Consumer for McCormick & Company. That’s the company that makes French’s mustard, so he should know.
According to Cohen Aviram, “Keep unopened mustard at room temperature away from light.” She adds, “Make sure not to store it in high temperatures or under direct light—these might cause it to lose flavor faster.”
A pantry or cabinet would probably work well. But what about once you’ve opened the bottle? Do you still store mustard at room temperature?
No. Actually, the refrigerator is the best place to store an open bottle of mustard. According to Cohen Aviram, “The cold, dark environment will keep freshness at its best.” She adds, “Try not to leave it out for long stretches of time—remember those high temps and light exposure? It’ll make the mustard lose its flavor faster!”
The good news is that mustard can last a long time if you keep it in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for about a year after it has been opened when it’s kept in a cold environment.
Don’t worry about getting sick from mustard left out on the counter at restaurants though. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the high acid content in mustard prevents it from spoiling quickly.
It’s probably safe to say that restaurants go through mustard much quicker than you would at home, so those bottles are most likely emptied before the flavor is negatively impacted.
But at home, keep your mustard in the refrigerator.
If you prefer room temperature mustard instead of cold mustard, here is one workaround. When you’re preparing your food, get the mustard out first. Put the amount you plan to use in a little bowl and leave it on the table or counter at room temperature while you get the rest of your food ready. Meanwhile, put the mustard bottle back in the refrigerator. That way, the bottle stays cold while the mustard you’re about to eat can warm up to room temperature.
While mustard can last about a year after it’s been opened if it’s kept in the refrigerator, it can be hard to remember exactly when you opened it. Here are a couple ways to know if it’s time to throw it out. One way is to look at the best buy date stamped on the bottle. That will indicate when the flavor is most likely to be less than ideal. Another way is a taste test. If it doesn’t taste as strong as it used to, toss it out.
