Mittelscharfer Senfmedium-hot German mustard

Mustard seed, vinegar and salt, milled fine. Medium heat, creamy, yellow-brown.

It binds vinaigrette and roasting-pan sauce, it gets spread inside Rouladen before they are rolled, and it stands next to every Bratwurst.

Die Fallethe trap

In Germany mustard is not one product but at least two: medium-hot mustard and sweet mustard. They are not interchangeable.

Mexican mostaza amarilla is neither. It is mild, sweetish, vinegar-forward and coloured yellow with turmeric. In a pan sauce it tastes of vinegar and nothing else.

Ersatzwhat to use

Take mostaza Dijon. It is sharper, but it is built the same way: mustard seed and acid, no sugar out front.

Because it is sharper, start with a little less than the recipe says and taste. In a vinaigrette it binds just as reliably.

Kaufenwhere to buy

Dijon is in any larger supermarket. German mustard in jars comes through import shops and Mercado Libre.