La white mustard It is a plant that has important and interesting uses in the kitchen. But, would you like to know how to take care of it so that you can benefit from it in a healthy way? If you answered yes, then I will also tell you what its characteristics are.
Thus, you will know how to identify it, in addition to what are those basic care that you must provide so that it is healthy.
From
White mustard, whose scientific name is Sinapis albaIs a annual herb also known as yellow mustard. It is native to the Mediterranean region and reaches a height of up to 75cm.
Characteristics of white mustard
It has an erect and branched bearing, with basal leaves 5 to 15 cm long by 2-6 cm wide, lobed, with dentate margin; its upper leaves are lobed and sinuous-toothed.
The flowers are grouped in clusters of up to 30cm. They measure about 10mm in diameter, and are yellow. The fruit contains 1 to 4 seeds, brownish-brown in color and rounded.
Another characteristic of this plant is that bears fruit with elongated beaks and with its hard lower part, in addition to having the characteristic smell of mustard that we know. Commonly, some people tend to confuse it with the Synapse arvensis, a similar species but that has different fruits.
This type of plant bears fruit annually, where you can recognize it by its erect and branched grass, which has a size between 30 and 80 cm, where its stem is rough, without glands and reflex hairs.
In addition, the leaves of white mustard are alternate with broad lower and with petiole at the end of these. Its flowers grow in clusters, are light yellow, have four divergent sepals of 4 to 5 mm and four petals of 8 to 10 mm in length.
As for its fruit, it is dry, it opens spontaneously and has a length of 20 to 45 mm, generally hard on the underside and with a flattened, ensiform bill.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
-
The first thing to keep in mind is that it is not a plant that is usually pruned.
-
Irrigation of white mustard should not be flooded since it does not withstand it, but it does withstand a certain time of drought, so it is best to wait until it has 3 cm of dry soil depth to water it again.
-
In the field you have to wait until the plant has at least 4 leaves for watering, but you can also wait for it to rain only.
-
Irrigation must be done 3 to 4 times a week in the summer and the rest of the year every 4 to 5 days.
-
For the white mustard fertilizer it is recommended to use fertilizers that are organic have phosphorus and potassium, and have less nitrogen.
-
The subscriber has to be done from the beginning of spring with ecological fertilizers, once a month and until the end of summer.
If you use this plant to feed animals, the best thing is that it is not when it is in bloom, since at that stage it is toxic for them. It is recommended that it be consumed with a great difference in time to the flowering period
To grow white mustard, it must be done in full sun, outdoors, so that it can flower and bear fruit. Nevertheless, you can do this in a pot or in the garden, as long as it has good drainage for planting
To plant new plantations, you have to sow their seeds in a seedling tray and once they are 10 to 15 cm high, transplant them to individual pots or to your garden
Planting tips
La Sinapis alba It is a plant that has international cultivation and that commonly grows in temperate zones, I feel this is the most used commercially. And for its cultivation, three fundamental characteristics or requirements are neededThese are:
-
The land to grow white mustard has to be clay, sandy and somewhat dry.
-
You have to sow the seeds of the plant in rows that are about 25 cm apart.
-
The fertilizer to be used must be one that does not contain nitrogen, therefore the use of manure is not recommended.
Complying with the above, white mustard in a cold season It would only take about 30 days for your leaves to have the characteristic flavor of this, and therefore could be cut.
In four weeks the yellow flowers will appearTheir stems will eventually have seeds and special care must be taken with these, since they are usually very fragile and break easily, so it will be better to cut them while they are still green.
White mustard seeds have a viability of 7 years, provided they are keep in a dark, cool and dry place, something that contributes a lot to future plantations that you want to do
Pests
White mustard plantations can be affected by many pests, which can greatly damage the beginning of the crop or when it is about to flower. Cabbage moths are found in this type of pest, one of the most destructive in the world, since it feeds on the flowers, leaves and shoots of the plant in question.
Another of the pests that affect white mustard is the defoliating vaquita, which can occasionally affect crops, and that it can affect the plantation both its larvae and its adult specimens, thus causing the loss of the foliar area.
Also aphids, They also tend to affect white mustard plantations, although it is more frequent in black mustard crops because it is more susceptible. Aphids can reproduce quickly, thus causing great damage to white mustard crops and can appear on them during vegetative growth.
Uses
Apart from being used as an ornament, its main use is culinary. In fact, the seeds are used whole to flavor pickles and vinaigrettes, or toast. The seeds of white mustard are also used whole as ingredients in marinades and to make pickles.
An important aspect to highlight about this plant is that everything that is seen superficially in it is edible, therefore it has great appeal for the culinary arts.
In general, thanks to its mild and delicate flavor, it is used to mix different herbs and spices in the kitchen. In addition, its leaves are used to make delicious soups and salads that delight all the diners who try them.
Another exquisite use is with vegetables, where it is necessary that you boil them for at least half an hour in salty water, drain them and present them with chopped onions, some dressings and olive oil, salt and lemon. That will give these foods a spectacular flavor.
Contraindications
Like all plants that have chemical compounds, white mustard has contraindications, since an excess consumption of this, can affect the organism of a person, causing diseases or illnesses.
In the case of women, they can be affected if they consume the leaves, seeds, flowers of white mustard during their pregnancy, since the glucosinolate content can cause an abortion or damage the baby's thyroid, causing the thyroid glands to not work properly in the future.
Direct use of white mustard as an external remedy should be avoided in those who have dermal hypersensitivity, as well as avoid using it on areas that are irritated, bruises, on the face, that are blistered or suffer from psoriasis.
Another contraindication that this plant has is its use when there are ulcers on the skin or with symptoms of dermatitis, since could cause severe skin burns.
If you suffer from gastritis, dyspepsia and digestive ulcers, you should not consume white mustard, since its composition will make your stomach irritate and that the functions of this are stimulated.
Similarly, those who suffer from circulatory and vascular problems, who suffer from kidney colic, cystitis or other urinary tract infections, should avoid prolonged consumption of this plant, as well as its derivatives.