Description of the plant. Briefly about the chemical composition of Russian mustard. What useful properties is it endowed with? In what cases is it contraindicated to use a spice? Recipes for dishes with Russian mustard.
Russian mustard (gray, sarepta, rape, Brassica juncea) is a herbaceous annual from the Cabbage genus and the Cruciferous family. The plant has medicinal properties and is used in cooking. The homeland is considered to be North India. Loves saline soil, requires little heat and is frost-resistant. It grows mainly in Libya, Sudan, Algeria and Eurasia. It is actively cultivated in Europe and China. Wild Russian mustard can be found in Indochina and some regions of Asia. The plant reaches 150 cm in height, and the taproot penetrates 3 meters in depth. The stem is straight and waxy. Leaves are alternate, their petioles shrink as they rise along the stem. The flowers are bright yellow and gather in corymbose racemes. The seeds are up to 1 mm in diameter. Their color ranges from light yellow to dark gray. The fruits ripen at the end of June. Russian mustard oil has a technical value. It is used in the perfumery, textile, soap and even pharmaceutical industries.
Composition and calorie content of Sarepta mustard
Researchers have found that the calorie content of Russian mustard is 184.5 kcal per 100 grams of edible part, of which:
- Proteins - 8, 7 g;
- Fat - 11 g;
- Carbohydrates - 11.6 g;
- Water - 6, 4 g;
- Ash - 4, 8 g;
- Dietary fiber - 8, 8 g;
- Saturated fatty acids - 1, 4 g;
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids - 20.7 g.
Among the micro- and macroelements, the plant contains:
- Potassium - 608 mg;
- Calcium - 254 mg;
- Magnesium - 238 mg;
- Sodium - 37 mg;
- Phosphorus - 650 mg;
- Iron - 25 mg
Russian mustard also contains linoleic, erucic, oleic, behenic, linolenic, lagnoceric, palmitic, peanut and dioxystearic acids. They have antioxidant properties, support the work of the cardiovascular system, inhibit aging processes and improve intercellular metabolism.
Important! The plant has poisonous parts. In fruits and unripe seeds thioglycosides are concentrated, which cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, hyperthyroidism, provoke headaches, lead to an enlargement of the thyroid gland and stimulate the appearance of allergic reactions.
Useful properties of Russian mustard
Russian mustard significantly affects the digestion process. It stimulates the appetite, stimulates the production of gastric juice and increases the production of saliva several times. In addition, the components of the plant have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.
The benefits of Russian mustard are as follows:
- Improves hair condition … The components of Sarepta mustard enhance blood flow to hair follicles, normalize their development, and prevent dandruff. Outwardly, the hair becomes thick, silky and shiny.
- Accelerates metabolismThe composition of the plant promotes the rapid burning of unwanted calories, removes decay products, salts of heavy metals, cleanses the intestines from toxins and toxins. Also, full-fledged breakdown of carbohydrates is carried out, the secretion of the digestive glands and the transformation of fats are stimulated.
- Synthesizes DNA … This is due to the presence of folic acid, which ensures the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation. The risk of developing malignant tumors is also significantly reduced, cell division is stabilized.
- Improves the condition of the skin … A large percentage of vitamin A and various minerals contributes to accelerated healing of wounded areas of the epidermis, restoring cellular balance. Also, small wrinkles begin to smooth out, the work of the sebaceous glands is regulated, and, as a result, the foci of acne disappear.
- Strengthens the immune system … The plant stimulates the production of antibodies during colds, cleanses the body of viral and infectious agents. A person's state of health improves, intercellular exchange improves and more energy appears.
- Restores muscle fibers after heavy exertion … The components of Russian mustard relieve muscle pain, promote the resorption of lactic acid and an increase in sarcoplasm.
- Improves brain function … The blood supply to the brain is normalized, more oxygen enters it, and neuronal metabolism is stabilized. Thanks to this, the processes of memorizing information are improved, the response is accelerated, and attention is sharpened.
In folk medicine, Russian mustard powder is combined with water and honey and drunk for colds. Also, this drink is taken by actors or singers with a feeling of sore throat, which must be got rid of as soon as possible.
Contraindications and harm to gray mustard
With uncontrolled use, the product can cause significant harm to humans and undermine health. Without special contraindications, its amount is 30 grams per day.
Russian mustard can harm the body in the following cases:
- Individual intolerance to the product … Stomach hurts, breathing problems occur, stool is disturbed, pulse quickens, there are cases of loss of consciousness and even respiratory arrest.
- Acute gastritis or peptic ulcer … The patient has severe shortness of breath, a white coating on the tongue, sour belching, uncontrolled weight loss, and profuse gas.
- Duodenitis … Damage to the mucous membrane, general weakness and apathy, fever, fever and bloating.
- Cholecystitis … Nausea, which is often accompanied by vomiting, cramping pain in the navel, rapid heart rate, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Pancreatitis … Frequent vomiting, appetite disappears, there is a mushy stool with remnants of undigested food, flatulence and pain in the upper abdomen.
- Hepatitis … The components are capable of causing itching, pain in the right hypochondrium. The sclera of the eyes and skin turn yellow, the temperature rises and the heart rate increases.
- Urethritis … There are mucopurulent discharge during urination, the lower abdomen hurts, sleep is disturbed, the person becomes overly irritable.
- Pyelonephritis … Russian mustard can cause chills, fever, metabolic disorders, pain in the kidney area, burning sensation when urinating and frequent urge to use the toilet.
Note! Since the seeds of the plant are poisonous, they should be approached with extreme caution.
It is important to consult with a gastroenterologist or allergist to understand if and in what quantities this product can be consumed. In case of poisoning with Russian mustard, you must immediately rinse the stomach with ammonia diluted with water, and put a cold compress on the abdomen.
How is Russian mustard used in cooking?
Powder is made from dry seeds of Russian mustard, which is added to various bouquets of seasonings. It is in harmony with both hot and cold dishes. Moreover, if you add powder when preserving fish, you can prevent rotting or fermentation processes.
Sarepta mustard is in harmony with vegetables, eggs, cheeses, meat and fish. The spice is often included in pickles, sauces, and vegetable salad dressings. Black pepper, cloves, coriander and cinnamon will help emphasize its taste.
Among all varieties of table mustard, "Russian" is the most spicy and strong. For its preparation, combine vinegar with fat-free meal of grains.
Mustard oil is used in the confectionery, bakery and canning industries. It is endowed with a tart taste and piquant aroma. Therefore, in many countries it is often preferred to others.
In Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, even the leaves of the plant are eaten, since they contain a large percentage of vitamin C. They are added to salads and served as a side dish for meat dishes. And the inhabitants of China prefer to pickle and preserve young shoots of Russian mustard.
In order to preserve food intact and slow down the process of their decay, special volatile plant vapors are used. They have phytoncidal and antibacterial properties.
Advice! To increase the shelf life of Russian mustard, you should freeze it. But first, it is necessary to get the plant wet in cold water to "preserve" its beneficial properties.
Russian mustard recipes
When choosing seeds, it is important to pay attention to the uniformity of their structure, yellow tint, integrity of the package and a subtle pungent aroma.
Recipes with delicious Russian mustard are given below:
- Mustard with grains … 50 grams of mustard powder is combined with 70 ml of boiling water. Stir until a homogeneous and plastic mixture is formed. Then it is leveled and a couple of teaspoons of boiling water is added. Leave for 15-20 minutes. Then the excess water is drained. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, a pinch of allspice, 40 grams of Russian mustard seeds and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Then add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Placed in the refrigerator overnight. Mustard must be stored in a glass container with a lid.
- Eggplant appetizer … 1 kilogram of eggplant is thoroughly washed, dried with a paper towel and chopped into small cubes. Pour 100 ml of sunflower oil into a frying pan, heat it up and pour the eggplants. They must be fried until golden brown. 0.5 kg of onions and 600 g of tomatoes are finely chopped. Vegetables are also fried until golden brown. Then they combine everything, add a tablespoon of table salt, a teaspoon of black pepper powder and 0.5 teaspoon of Russian mustard. Mix thoroughly, place in a slow cooker and set the "Cooking" mode for 15 minutes. Vegetables are laid out in sterilized jars, covered with lids and placed in the oven for 40 minutes. Then the snack is rolled up and stored in a cool place.
- Pizza … 3 teaspoons of dry yeast is diluted in 350 ml of filtered water and left for half an hour. Then add a tablespoon of table salt and 5 cups of wheat flour. If the dough turns out to be tight, then you can dilute it with water. Begin to knead until it turns into a ball that is elastic and homogeneous in structure. Grease the pot where you put the dough. Cover it with a damp towel or wrap with cling film. Let it brew for 2 hours. The dough will approximately double. It is enough for 3-4 pizzas. It all depends on what shape and thickness the cakes will be. Rolled out pieces of dough are greased with tomato sauce, pieces of sausage or chicken meat are spread, sprinkled with Russian mustard powder, black pepper and placed in the oven for 20-25 minutes at a temperature of 180-190 degrees. 5 minutes before the end, grate hard cheese on top. Sprinkle the finished pizza with chopped herbs.
- Baked pork … 800-900 grams of pork shoulder with fat layers is thoroughly washed and dried with paper towels. In a separate bowl, combine a teaspoon of dried paprika, 0.5 teaspoon of ground black pepper, a teaspoon of hops-suneli, a pinch of table salt and a teaspoon of Russian mustard. A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and vegetable oil is also poured here. The meat is pierced with a knife and rubbed with spices from all sides. Then it is wrapped with cling film and left for several hours. Peel 150 grams of bell pepper, cut into thin slices and spread over a sheet of foil. Put a piece of pork on top, decorate with the remaining pepper, completely wrap it in foil. Thus, the meat will be cooked in its own juice. Then it is placed in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 60-70 minutes. The cooked pork is left untwisted for another 15 minutes. Next, carefully remove the foil and serve the dish to the table.
- Pickles … The calculation is made for a two-liter can. Wash 1 kilogram of cucumbers, cut off the ends and pour 1 liter of water. Leave in a dark place for 6-7 hours. 3 times you will need to change the water. Cherry and currant leaves are washed and dried. Peel 2 heads of garlic and cut the cloves lengthwise. Thus, their aroma and taste will be more pronounced. Cucumbers are placed in sterilized jars, fruit leaves, dill seeds, Russian mustard and black pepper are added. Pour boiling water over and cover with lids. When the water has cooled down, it should be drained. Garlic cloves are added. In a separate container, boil water again, pour in 2 teaspoons of vinegar essence, salt and sugar to taste. Then the mixture is poured into the cucumbers, the jars are rolled up and wrapped in a thick towel until it cools. In a month they will be ready to eat.
In India, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Canada, Spain, Albania, Algeria, Libya and Egypt, Sarepta mustard is one of the most common spices. It is added to many traditional dishes.
Interesting facts about blue mustard
Sarepta mustard was in demand 3 thousand years ago. And the ancient Greek thinker Pythagoras noted that if you take a spice on an empty stomach, you can significantly improve brain function and sharpen your wits.
Merchants from Asia accidentally brought with flax seeds to Russia mustard, which was considered a weed. But the inhabitants of the Lower Volga region were able to appreciate the oil-bearing properties of the plant and began to spread it. For the first time, they began to grow it near the village of Sarepta near present-day Volgograd. Hence the two names for mustard - Russian and Sarepta. And in 1810 the first mustard processing plant was created. Already at the end of the 19th century, it could produce about 344 tons of oil per year, and at the beginning of the 21st century, it produced about 13,000 tons.
In ancient times, Russian mustard seeds were used as an emetic for malaria or opium poisoning. Also, it could be applied to tumors with "mumps", since it had a resorbing property.
The medieval Persian physician Avicenna called mustard "hardal" and used it in the treatment of asthma, joint pain and trachoma. He made special bandages, which he applied to the wounded areas. The scientist dripped the juice of the stem into sore ears and sore gums.
In the medical field, warming mustard plasters are made from the powder of fat-free grains and essential mustard oil. They are prescribed most often for diseases of the lungs, lesions of peripheral nerves, bronchitis, after hypothermia and to increase blood circulation in hypertensive crises. It is important to note that the seeds are harvested during the period when the plant begins to turn yellow (waxy ripeness).
Mustard alcohol (2%) is also actively used by doctors. It is used for inflammation of the trunk of the peripheral nerve, Sokolsky-Buyo disease and radiculopathy.
Cosmetologists and dermatologists use the properties of Russian mustard seeds for removing freckles and age spots, problems with the scalp, and prescribe special face masks.
The flowers of the plant are pollinated by bees and produce honey. It is very useful and helps to strengthen the immune system.
Sarepta mustard powder is used to remove greasy stains on woolen clothes. They are guided by the following ratio: 200 grams of the mixture per 10 liters of water.
Watch a video about Russian mustard:
The article examined Russian mustard, described its properties and provided a historical background. The seeds are stored in sealed dry bags, ventilated rooms and together with a group of essential oil plants. Their shelf life is 2 years. Consuming an expired product can lead to dire consequences, so be careful.
