"pamjd" wrote
>
>> At $4.60/lb why would any sane individual want to grind their
>> own.http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/results.html
>
> I like to try different mustard seeds from different origins. I get
> seeds from Frontier spices, a Mennonite bulk market, a middle eastern
> grocery and an Indian market. Why would any creative individual want
> to limit themselves to the mainstream?

Regardless of origin botanically they're the same mustard seeds. The only
differences are how old, how stored, and price... creativity doesn't enter
into your equation. Btw, mustard is one of the spices that absorbs odors
like a sponge (why do you think so many prepared mustards are flavored with
aromatics), I don't want any bulk mustard seed that has been setting out
loose in some ethnic market, not even if free... of course you may be
afflicted with TIAD and so won't notice that your mustard seeds are redolent
of smoked eel, that your dijon is poop-on. Why do you think better quality
spices are typically packaged in glass, metal, and mylar.... that's so their
volatile oils don't evaporate but more importantly that they don't absorb
errant odors. Folks who buy loose/bulk spices/herbs are penny wise/dollar
fool.