Pommery Wholegrain Mustard
Moutarde de Meaux

There are certain things the French take very seriously. Wine, cheese, bread, lunch and, rather wonderfully, mustard. And when it comes to the latter, few names carry quite the history and reputation of Pommery.

The story begins in the beautiful town of Meaux, just outside Paris, where mustard was traditionally produced by the canons of the local cathedral. By 1632, Moutarde de Meaux was finding its way onto the tables of French royalty, and in 1760 the Pommery family began their association with the recipe that would make the town famous.

Almost four centuries later, the mustard is still produced near Meaux by the Chamois family, preserving a remarkable piece of French culinary heritage. Which is quite something when you consider how many things have changed in that time. Governments, revolutions, wars, the invention of the motor car and the internet. Yet here we are, still enjoying mustard made according to a centuries-old tradition.

Pommery Moutarde de Meaux is a magnificent traditional wholegrain mustard, made with carefully selected mustard seeds, vinegar, salt and spices. Unlike the smooth, fiery Dijon mustards you might be more familiar with, this has a wonderfully rustic texture, with whole mustard grains providing little bursts of flavour.

It’s rich, beautifully balanced, slightly nutty and gently peppery, with enough character to make itself known without completely overwhelming whatever you’re eating.

In fact, it’s so good that in 2019 it was awarded Best Mustard in the World in the Wholegrain category at the World-Wide Mustard Competition. Not a bad achievement for something you might ordinarily spread on a ham sandwich.

Speaking of which, the possibilities are endless. A generous spoonful alongside roast beef, a beautiful piece of pork, some good sausages or a proper ham sandwich. Stir it into a vinaigrette, add it to a creamy sauce or spread it over chicken before roasting. Personally, I reckon it would be magnificent alongside a plate of cold meats, some good cheese and a large chunk of crusty bread.

Each 205g/500g portion arrives in Pommery’s iconic stoneware pot, which has become almost as recognisable as the mustard itself. Ours comes with a practical plastic lid rather than the traditional wax-sealed cork, making it particularly convenient for everyday use. Same wonderful mustard, same handsome stoneware pot, just a little less ceremony when you fancy some with your tea.

We’ve always had a soft spot for everyday things made exceptionally well. Whether it’s a beautifully made shirt, a proper cup of coffee or a jar of mustard with nearly four centuries of history behind it, there’s something very satisfying about people continuing to make things properly.

A genuine French culinary institution, and quite possibly the finest mustard you’ll ever put on a sandwich.

Not bad for a pot of mustard.