Fun Facts About Mustard Seeds
Did you know that the French have used mustard seeds as a spice since the 800s? Have you realized that many religious figures have used mustard seeds as examples in their teachings?
In case you didn’t, here are some fun and historical facts about mustard seeds. Enjoy!
In the Bible, Jesus used the mustard seed in the parable of the Mustard Seed as a model for the kingdom of God which initially starts small but grows to be the biggest of all garden plants. Faith is also spoken about in the context of a mustard seed.
The earliest reference to mustard in India is from a story about Buddha in the 5th century BC. Gautama Buddha told the story of the grieving mother and the mustard seed. When a mother loses her only son, she takes his body to the Buddha to find a cure. The Buddha asks her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a family that has never lost a child, husband, parent or friend. When the mother is unable to find such a house in her village, she realizes that death is common to all, and she cannot be selfish in her grief.
Jewish texts compare the knowable universe to the size of a mustard seed to demonstrate the world’s insignificance and to teach humility.The great Jewish philosopher, Nahmanides, mentions the universe expanded from the time of its creation, in which it was the size of a mustard seed.
In the Quran, Allah stated the scales of justice will be established on the Day of Judgement, and no soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for because God is the most efficient reckoner.
Mustard seeds generally take three to ten days to germinate if placed under the proper conditions, which include a cold atmosphere and relatively moist soil. Mature mustard plants grow into shrubs.
Major producers of mustard seeds include Canada, Hungary, Great Britain, India, Pakistan and the United States.
Mustard seed was among the spices taken by the Spanish on explorations throughout the fifteenth century.
In Pakistan, rapeseed-mustard is the second most important source of oil, after cotton.
