Sure, I enjoy mustard on hamburgers, hot dogs, and salami sandwiches. And, of course, there’s nothing better than dipping a warm, soft pretzel into a tangy, grainy mustard. But, licking a cone full of mustard custard? Some say you haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the cool and spicy frozen treat. Judge for yourself in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin (about 20 minutes from Madison), the Mustard capitol of the World, home to the World Famous Mustard Museum, and host of a Mustard Festival that has gained national attention.
The Mustard Festival gained national exposure when it was featured on the Food Network. I live near Mount Horeb, but it wasn’t until I saw the Food Network show that I was inspired to make the trip. The Mustard Festival is actually a one-day event held in August on National Mustard Day. It’s mustard mania on the streets of Mount Horeb (by the way, festival goers get free hot dogs). The highlight of the festival is the famous mustard cook-off, which requires contestants to create original recipes featuring the yellow condiment. Large crowds gather as cook-off contestants carry their mustardy creations down a yellow carpet to be judged by culinary experts who don’t wince at dishes with names like: Lime Mustard Chocolate Truffles, Mustard Slathered Low Carb Dinosaur Bones, Stuffed Jalapenos with Roquefort Mustard and Triple Mustard Mushroom Fritters.
If you can’t make it to the summer festival, you can visit the Mustard Museum year round. The Museum houses more than 4,000 types of mustard from all 50 states and 60 countries. Included in the vast collection: chocolate fudge mustard; sesame, ginger, scallion and peanut mustard; and espresso mustard. The Museum also contains some rare mustard pots and vintage mustard advertisements. In the Museum’s Gourmet Foods Emporium you can do more than just look at mustard containers, you can taste and take home many of the world famous mustards. While there you can sample as many mustards as you can handle, then choose from more than 800 mustard inspired gifts, including books about mustard, “POUPON U” merchandise and other saucy gifts that will surely “spice” up any occasion.
Finally, don’t leave the Museum without stopping by the famed Mustard Piece Theatre (admission is free) to watch a variety of mustard-themed movies, including “Mustard: The Spice of Nations,” which is shown daily on the museum’s big screen television.