Mustard oil, also known as sarson ka tel, is a cooking oil that comes from the seeds of the mustard plant:
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Appearance
Mustard oil is golden-yellow in color and has a pungent, spicy flavor.
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Uses
It’s a common ingredient in Indian cooking, and is often used for sautéing and stir-frying. It’s also used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world.
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Benefits
Mustard oil is high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which may be beneficial for heart health. It’s also rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties.
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Other uses
In addition to cooking, mustard oil can be applied topically as a massage oil, skin serum, and hair treatment. It’s a natural moisturizer that can nourish and hydrate skin.
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Production
Mustard oil is extracted from the seeds of the mustard plant. It can be produced by pressing the seeds, or by grinding them, mixing with water, and distilling the resulting volatile oil.
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Restrictions
Pure mustard oil is banned for use as a vegetable oil in the United States, Canada, and Europe due to high levels of erucic acid. However, varieties of mustard seed low in erucic acid have been cultivated.