Marketplace · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Hotter and drier growing conditions in Canada over the past five years have led to the production of spicier mustard seeds, impacting the flavor profile of mustard products. This climate-driven change has been noted by the Canadian Grain Commission, which monitors the compound responsible for mustard's kick, leading to unexpected spice levels in recipes.
“Canada is the biggest exporter of mustard seeds in the world.”
“My mustard – the mustard that I used in this mustard chicken recipe was much spicier than I was used to. Extraordinarily spicy and I – and that's just not me talking. I brought it to a professional taste tester who confirmed it.”
“They've had hotter, drier growing conditions for the past five years. And when you have hotter, drier growing conditions, you get hotter, spicier mustard seeds.”
“Same thing's happening as we have heard with like wine grapes and all of that thing. So this is climate change and agriculture sort of brought to your dinner table.”