Celebrate a Yellow Condiment
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with bad news, doom and gloom, and politics maybe it is important to celebrate everything we can. With that in mind, why not talk about National Mustard Day. It is in its 22nd yearand still strong and vibrant. It is the biggest event for the National Mustard Museum.National Mustard Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in August. The main celebration is held at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. There is a parade, music, taste test options and just a whole lot of fun.Not only do you get to celebrate mustard in many ways, it is all for a good cause. Money in earned and donated to the Restoring Hope Transplant House. You can actually become a sponsor of the event, enjoy and nice tax write off for a very good cause.Believe it or not National Mustard is not without a little controversy. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) petitioned to help with revenue by placingcontroversial advertisingabout the event. Mustard Museum Curator Barry Levenson refused the advertising and donation agreement. He made the following statement. “Meat eaters and vegetarians are always welcome,” says Levenson, “and no matter what philosophical differences they may have, mustard can bring them together. The only smear campaigns allowed here are the mustards people smear on their food.”In the 2012 event there will be someaward winning mustardsto celebrate. There were over 300 different mustards competing for the awards. A panel of professional chefs from Chicago were the judges.The Grand Champion Mustard for 2012 is “Three Monkeys Sweet & Spicy Mustard” made by Dan Collins.In the Dijon category top honors went to Europeene des Condiments, Clovis captured the silver and Grey Poupon took the silver.Most of the other categories are not ones that the typical mustard user have even tried and what a shame. Clearly the types of mustard have gone well beyond the little yellow jar in the fridge. Several new mustards won medals this year, including Clovis Cucumber Garlic Dill (France), LissElla Blueberry (Sweden), Minokyu Yuzu Honey (Japan), and Beaver Hickory Smoke Bacon (USA).If you can not make it Middleton Wisconsin don’t despair. You can have a National Mustard Day Party in yourown back yard. Pick up a variety of mustard. Print out some exciting new recipes that include some of the new winning mustards and celebrate with family and friends. Any excuse to get together with good friends and good food for a good time, makes the little world we enjoy a better and happier place to call home. Happy National Mustard Day, mark is on your calendar.
