Yes. The rumors you’ve heard are true. When I start to feel the midday, midweek slump, I have a spoonful of French’s yellow mustard to put the pep back in my step. I don’t put it on bread or pair it with a cracker. I simply eat it off the spoon and it wakes me right up. Just think of it as a sandwich minus the sandwich. Why not have a typical cup of coffee to provide my much-needed energy jolt, you might ask? Because I like mustard!
To be clear, this is not for moral or health reasons. I don’t choose to abstain from coffee to cut back on caffeine or keep my teeth white. I don’t practice a religion that forbids consuming coffee. I don’t think I’m more interesting than other people for not drinking coffee. I don’t drink coffee because I think coffee tastes bad. Very, very bad.
I know this isn’t a sophisticated take, but it is the way I truly feel. I’ve had cult favorite coffees like Dunkin’ and fancy coffees at bougie L.A. shops. I don’t enjoy it. It’s too bitter for me—even with cream and sugar. I don’t even like frozen salted caramel mocha frappes (despite the fact that they are essentially milkshakes) because I can still taste the faint hint of coffee.
And know that I am not having mustard in place of food. The spoon of mustard comes into play when I have already eaten and am, in no way, shape, or form, hungry. Mustard is not a snack or a tactic for losing weight. Mustard serves as a delicious hack for perking myself up when I need a little boost.
Without fail, mustard is the perfect pick me up. It is tangy and salty and sour. My mouth puckers up and I feel more alive just thinking about it. If you’re not sold yet, here is a definitive list of why I think you should switch up your caffeine routine and give a mouthful of mustard a try.
- Affordability
Getting a daily coffee can really blow your budget. At around $3 a cup, the habit can easily run you $100 a month. One bottle of French’s yellow mustard is around $3. Depending on the size of your spoonful, a bottle can last you weeks to months.
- Ease
To enjoy my spoonful of daily mustard, I don’t have to heat anything up, place a delivery order, or stand in a line. The mustard lives in my fridge and is ready for consumption immediately.
- Nutritional Value
Healthline.com states that mustard contains: “iron, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus” as well as “antioxidants.” While a tablespoon of yellow mustard will probably not change the state of your health, it certainly isn’t worse for you than coffee.
- A Change of Pace
Looking to try something new or want to change up your regimen? Ditch coffee and dip into mustard!
I understand if you’re not ready to leave your morning brew behind and become a mustard convert completely. Habits are hard to break (plus, I know this idea is pretty freaky). I do, however, encourage you to try a tiny taste of midday mustard and see how you feel. It might just liven up your workweek.