Many food products like condiments have certain ways they should be stored to enhance their freshness, and mustard is no exception.
You may be wondering if mustard needs to be refrigerated. I did the research, and here is what I found!
Does Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Mustard does not actually need to be refrigerated, especially if you prefer consuming your mustard at room temperature. However, if you want to retain quality and peak flavors, then you can refrigerate your mustard. Moreover, there are some types of mustard that benefit more when refrigerated.
Which mustards need to be refrigerated and how long will mustard last in the fridge? Keep reading to learn more!
Does An Unopened Container Of Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Unopened mustard does not need to be refrigerated since the mustard is unopened and not contaminated.
As long as you store your unopened mustard in the proper conditions, mustard will last you up to 4 years given that your mustard is kept well and not tampered with.
Keep your mustard away from direct sunlight, generally in a dark and cool area like a cupboard.
Moreover, mustard should be kept in areas that do not experience sudden temperature changes.
Unopened mustard does not have to be refrigerated, but you may opt to refrigerate mustard if you like.
Does An Opened Container Of Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Depending on how often you use your mustard, this question can have different answers. ‘
Opened mustard, if consumed daily, can be left out at room temperature since the mustard will be consumed quickly.
People who consume mustard daily sometimes prefer room temperature mustard, so it is alright if you leave your mustard out as long as the mustard is tightly sealed.
However, an opened jar of mustard will already be prone to external contamination, so refrigerating mustard will help keep the mustard in peak condition.
If you consume mustard infrequently, then it is better to store mustard in the fridge to keep your mustard fresh.
Does Dijon Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Dijon mustard does not actually need to be refrigerated, and leaving your Dijon mustard at room temperature is completely fine, and will not cause the Dijon mustard to spoil.
Generally, Dijon mustard’s ingredients have a high acid quality, making Dijon mustard stay fresh longer.
However, there are brands that suggest refrigerating their Dijon mustard products.
For instance, French’s Dijon mustard states on the bottle that the mustard should be kept refrigerated to preserve the flavor.
Does Yellow Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yellow mustard can be stored at room temperature in the pantry for up to 2 months.
If you want to keep yellow mustard for longer, it is best to store your yellow mustard in the refrigerator to keep the original taste.
Refrigerating yellow mustard will make yellow mustard last up to a year in your fridge at peak quality.
Does Whole Grain Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Whole grain mustard does not need to be refrigerated if you bought ready-made whole grain mustard. However, homemade whole grain mustard must be kept refrigerated.
Additionally, whole grain mustard will last you up to three months in the pantry with no issues as long as no moisture or contaminants get into the jar.
Does Fruit Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Whether or not you should refrigerate fruit mustard will depend on if you have pickled fruit mustard or a mix of mustard and fruit.
If your fruit mustard is pickled and stored in a pickling jar or the proper containers, it will not need to be refrigerated, so pickled fruit mustard only needs to be stored in a cool, dry place.
If you have a mixture of fruit and mustard, then it is better to keep refrigerated since the fruit can spoil.
Does French’s Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Some varieties of French’s mustard need to be refrigerated and some don’t, so it is best to check the packaging of each product.
According to the brand French’s, “Dijon and Horseradish mustard will lose their distinct flavors if not refrigerated, so we encourage refrigerating both.”
Does Chinese Hot Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
If it is not dry, opened Chinese hot mustard need to be refrigerated after opening. Unopened jars can last in the pantry at room temperature for 1-2 years.
If your Chinese mustard is dry, and you have already added liquid to it, it is best to consume it immediately and not refrigerate the leftovers.
Additionally, if your Chinese mustard is dry and in a container, dry Chinese powder can last indefinitely as long as the jar is tightly sealed.
Does English Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Colman’s of Norwich advises their consumers to refrigerate their products and consume within three months of opening.
According to Colman, Colman’s dry mustard may be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
Does Honey Mustard Need To Be Refrigerated?
Unlike regular mustard, honey mustard can go bad because of the added sweeteners and ingredients, but honey mustard will not immediately go back if refrigerated.
Once opened, honey mustard must be stored in the refrigerator where honey mustard can last for up to a year and a half.
If unopened and kept in the fridge, honey mustard can last you up to 2 years.
If the jar of honey mustard is unopened and tightly sealed, the unopened jar of honey mustard can last up to three years in your pantry.
When your honey mustard has mayonnaise, you must place it in the fridge after opening because mayonnaise is prone to spoiling.
Is Mustard Safe To Eat After Its Expiration Date If It Is Refrigerated?
Whether mustard is safe to eat after the expiration date even if the mustard was refrigerated will depend on how you stored your mustard.
Technically, mustard’s expiration date is only mustard’s best-by date, meaning the best-by date is what the manufacturer predicts the mustard will lose its freshness.
When refrigerated or stored under proper conditions, mustard will last up to three years after the best-by date.
Always check the mustard for signs of spoilage no matter what the best-by date says.
Check for separation, color, smell, and signs of mold inside and even outside the container of mustard.
Separation is normal and can be fixed by mixing the mustard, but other signs of deterioration can mean that your mustard has spoiled.
However, it is still best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about when to consume their mustard products.
Check out our related articles to find out if mustard goes bad, if mustard is dairy-free, and if mustard is halal.
Conclusion
Most mustards can be left in the pantry, especially if unopened or regularly consumed, but certain types of mustard need to be refrigerated.
Moreover, any other ingredients added to mustard, such as mayonnaise and fruit, can make you decide if you should refrigerate your mustard.