The plant is known by a few different names: Brown mustard, Indian mustard, Chinese mustard, Oriental mustard, and vegetable mustard.
Mustard Greens are a very important part of the American diet.
Curly Mustard is also known as either American mustard or Southern mustard. This particular type of mustard is grown consistently in the United States.
The plant itself looks very similar to curly kale. Curly Mustard has very ruffled leaves.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Species: B. juncea
Binomial name: Brassica juncea
Curly Mustard Trivia
- Giant Mustards are used to extract heavy metals from the soils in dangerous sites. They have a high tolerance for the substances and they store the heavy metals in their cells.
- Mustard and Collard greens are both a part of the same family as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.
- The mustard that is made from this species of mustard is brown and is used in many Indian dishes.
Curly Mustard Buying Guide
When buying any type of mustard greens, look to buy those that are green in color and with stems that are not that thick. They should be crisp, and to check freshness, bend them a little bit and they should be firm.
Always avoid mustard greens that are yellowing or browning. Also, avoid ones that have blemishes or that are dried out.
Curly Mustard Production & Farming in Texas
Curled Mustard is a cool-season crop so they’re usually grown in early spring and fall. Curled mustard can tolerate colder temperatures than other varieties of mustard greens.
Curled Mustard is very popular in Texas, although some gardeners aren’t very fond of it as the cleaning process is quite tiresome. The wrinkled leaves make it harder for the person to wash the dirt or sand. A garden that has a great protective covering doesn’t have this problem that usually.
Pesticides
Leafy greens in general have high amounts of pesticide residues. Although, Mustard greens have fewer amounts of pesticides than other leafy greens and they’re also often used as a natural pesticide.
Geography
People have cultivated curled mustard in many parts of the world. The plant is used in China, Bangladesh, Africa, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Korea, India, Italy, and of course the United States.
First, select a plant site that has full direct sunlight if possible. Well-drained soil is also preferable for the best products. Plant them as soon as the soil can be worked on in spring, or about two months before the first frost of winter for a fall crop. Plant them in moist soil and sprinkle regularly with water. Harvest them when they’re young and tender as they don’t tolerate high temperatures.
Packaging
Mustard Greens are usually sent to the store in large wooden boxes where they’re either sold in plastic bags or tied to their stems and just sold like that.
Enjoying Curly Mustards
Curled Mustard has a stronger taste to it than some greens such as kale, cabbage, collard greens. Because of this, they’re frequently mixed with some other milder greens like dandelion greens.
Curled Mustard’s flavor is usually drawn out by cooking it with smoked pork products for a longer duration.
The younger leaves are milder and can be eaten raw in salads, but the older ones have a stronger taste and are better off cooked.
Storage
Just as many other greens, mustard greens are wrapped in paper towels before being placed in plastic bags. Afterward, place them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator and they can store for several days.
Cooking
The first step to preparing Simple Southern Mustard Greens is to wash them thoroughly while changing the water two to three times.
Put one cup of water to boil in a stockpot. Add the greens, cover them, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until the greens are tender. Drain them and set aside.
Put the bacon inside after wiping the pot out. Fry the bacon over medium heat until it is crisp. Put it on a plate that has a paper towel over it for the bacon to drain.
Add the onion to the pot and stir for a couple of minutes before putting bacon back in. Stir a little bit before throwing in the greens again with a half of a cup of water. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about 30 to 40 minutes. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
There hasn’t been that much research on the health benefits of mustard greens but they are still considered very healthy. Some of the health benefits are:
- Rich in antioxidants that fight diseases
- Good for the immune system
- Improving heart health
- Good for eye health
- Anti-cancer properties
These vegetables are also a great source of:
- Vitamins A, C, & K
- Copper
When Are Curly Mustard in Season in Texas?
To find out when Curly Mustard are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
