It’s safe to assume that not all spicy brown mustards are made equal based on the ratings of our tasters. These are our top four picks.
The Spicy Brown Mustard by Sir Kensington
Sir Kensington’s nearly missed out on the tasting. It appeared in a Google search when I was looking for brands online, but neither their website nor any of the stores we visited carried it. I contacted the firm to inquire about the situation, and they informed me that it is a brand-new product that will soon be available on Whole Foods and Sur La Table stores along with a Dijon mustard (the company says the official announcement is on May 14). We were fortunate to receive a jar of Sir Kensington’s mustard in time for the tasting, since it turned out to be our favorite.
There was a “nice balance of sweet and sour,” according to one taster, while others praised its good heat. It has a sweetness, a hidden component that none of the other mustards have. Specifically, maple syrup. Traditionalists may object, but the majority of tasters liked the hint of sweetness (although one couple thought it was a bit too sweet). This is a damned good mustard, but it might not be for you if you’re seeking for a truly classic spicy brown.
Spicy Brown Mustard Kosciusko
Go no farther than Kosciuzko for a classic brown mustard that is more really peppery. The tasters enthusiastically praised it for its creamy mouthfeel and strong, mustardy burn. Although some people thought it lacked flavor, it nevertheless received a great rating.
Spicy Brown Mustard Koops’ Deli
Tasters discovered Koops’ to be another delightfully traditional spicy brown, with a hint of yellow from the addition of turmeric. According to one, it had a “good kick, but not too spicy,” and tasted like “classic hot-dog cart flavor.” However, another person pointed out that it was almost like yellow mustard.
Trader Joe’s Spicy Brown Mustard Deli Style
Trader Joe’s spicy brown managed to sneak into the top four, but our tasters were baffled by its precise flavor. People speculated that it tasted “smoky/paprika-like,” “lemony,” or “garlicky.” Although none of the particular flavors are included in the ingredients list, it’s probable that some of them are among the “spices” mentioned. The same taster who felt the Koops’ was close to yellow mustard stated the same for this one.
Our Tasting Procedure: Every taste test is carried out in perfect blindness and without conversation. Samples are tasted by tasters in a random order. For instance, sample 1 might be tasted first by taster A, and sample 6 by taster B. This is to stop any one sample from unjustly benefiting from palate fatigue. In order to rank the samples according to a variety of factors that differ from sample to sample, tasters are asked to complete tasting sheets. To provide us with the most objective depiction of actual results, all data is collated and results are computed without editorial input.