Quirky Mustard Combos: From Ice Cream to Soda

Mustard is more than just a condiment for Indians. This humble yellow seed, with its sharp, spicy kick, has been reimagined in some of the wildest ways across the globe. From ice cream to soda, mustard is breaking all culinary boundaries. For an Indian audience that loves bold flavours—think pani puri or masala chai—these quirky mustard creations might just pique your curiosity. Let’s explore the quirkiest mustard-inspired foods that’ll make you rethink this pantry staple.

1. Mustard Ice Cream: A Frozen Twist

Imagine a scoop of ice cream that’s not your usual kulfi or mango sorbet but infused with the tangy zing of kasundi! Mustard ice cream first grabbed attention when French’s, a popular mustard brand, teamed up with Coolhaus Ice Cream in the US for National Mustard Day.

• The Flavour: Creamy sweetness with a subtle mustardy spice—like achari kulfi but colder.

• Served With: Pretzel bits (think namak para meets ice cream).

• Public Reaction: Some adventurous eaters loved it, with one reviewer calling it "actually delicious," while others questioned why such a thing existed.

• Would Indians Like It? If we enjoy aamras with mirchi or sweet-and-sour chaat, why not? A kasundi-flavoured kulfi could be the next big thing at food festivals!
  

2. Mustard Soda: Fizzy, Spicy & Bizarre

If mustard ice cream sounds wild, wait till you hear about mustard soda! Brands like Lester’s Fixins (USA) have bottled a carbonated drink with the sharp kick of rai (mustard seeds).

• Taste Test: Like nimbu soda with a Punjabi sarson ka tadka aftertaste.

• For Indian Palates? We love jaljeera and masala Coke, so this might not be too shocking. But would you pair it with vada pav or stick to Thums Up?
  

3. Mustard Beer: A Brew with a Desi Tadka Twist

Move over drinks, mustard beer is here! Breweries like Oskar Blues have experimented with mustard-infused craft beer, blending its pungency with malty notes.

• Flavour Profile: Crisp, slightly spicy—like beer with a hint of shikanji-meets-kasundi.

• Perfect Pairing? Imagine sipping this with monsoon pakoras or spicy chana chaat. Would you swap your favourite drink for this?
  

4. Mustard-Flavoured Skittles & Other Candy Experiments

Mustard’s foray into sweets doesn’t stop at ice cream and soda. In 2023, French’s released mustard-flavoured Skittles as part of a playful marketing campaign to make the brand seem more fun and current.

• The Concept: A limited-edition run that played on the contrast between sweet candy and savory mustard.

• Reception: Some loved the novelty, while others found it too bizarre—but it certainly got people talking!

This isn’t the first time mustard has crossed into candy territory. In Japan, wasabi and curry-flavoured sweets are popular, proving that spicy condiments can work in desserts.

5. Mustard Chocolate: Sweet, Spicy & Unexpected

For those who love paan chocolate or mirchi gujiya, mustard chocolate might be the next big thing. Artisanal chocolatiers have crafted truffles with mustard, balancing cocoa’s sweetness with a warm, spicy kick.

• Desi Comparison? Like biting into gulab jamun with a surprise achari twist.

• Festive Experiment: Could Mustard Chocolate Barfi Be a Diwali Hit?
  

DIY Mustard Madness: Try at Home!

• Kasundi Ice Cream: Swirl kasundi into vanilla ice cream.

• Mustard Lassi: Blend yoghurt, mustard paste, and mint.

• Sarson Chai? (Okay, maybe not… but who knows?)
  

Final Verdict: Would You Dare to Try?

Mustard’s quirkiest flavours are a fun, global twist on what we already love. For a country that enjoys aam papad with chilli and meetha pan with supari, these might not be too far-fetched.

So, would you…

• Sip mustard soda with bhel puri?

• Try mustard ice cream after biryani?

• Gift mustard chocolates this Diwali?

Let us know in the comments! And if you’ve tried any desi-fied mustard experiments, share your recipes. Who knows—kasundi kulfi might just go viral next!