Dijon: The City of Mustard

Dijon, a city in eastern France, is famous for its mustard. But don’t let its small size fool you, the city is a big deal when it comes to condiments.

Early beginnings

Dijon’s mustard fame began in the 13th century when a local peasant mixed mustard seeds with unfermented grape juice to make a kind of mustard paste. This concoction was so delicious that it soon became a popular condiment among the nobles and peasants.

The Great Mustard War of Dijon

In the 14th century, the city was embroiled in a mustard war. The Duke of Burgundy declared that all mustard produced in his territories should contain white wine. The people of Dijon rebelled claiming that their mustard was the best and should not be tampered with. The war raged on for years until a compromise was reached - Dijon mustard could be made with white wine, but it had to be produced in Dijon.

The Dijon Mustard Recipe

The recipe for Dijon mustard is a closely guarded secret, but legend has it that it includes a dash of magic, a pinch of unicorn dust, and a drop of dragon’s blood. No one knows for sure, but it’s certainly what gives Dijon mustard its unique flavor.

Dijon Mustard Today

Today, Dijon mustard is still made in the city using traditional methods. Visitors can tour the historic mustard mill “La Moutarderie Fallot” to see how mustard is made and sample the delicious condiment. The city is also home to the annual International Mustard Festival, where people from around the world come to celebrate their love of mustard.

So, the next time you reach for the mustard, make sure it’s Dijon. You won’t regret it, just ask any Frenchman.