Cutting The Mustard Poem by Sheena Blackhall

When I'd a cold, my granny said
Soak your feet in a mustard bath.
With a spoon of mustard powder stirred
In warm water to ease your cough

Mustard draws your blood to your feet,
Relieves congestion. Spices meat

An English manufacturer, Colman
Concocted a tangy, perky flavour,
Blended brown with mustard white
All for Kings and Queens to savour

To the Polar adventure of Captain Scott
Over a ton for his delectation
Colman donated to his supplies
For frozen meat to aid mastication

"Come on Colman's, light my fire"
Was the ad that won the purse of a nation
In all its forms, dried, powdered, grained
A list to exceed all expectation

Mustard draws your blood to your feet,
Relieves congestion. Spices meat

English mustard with turmeric colouring
Bavarian mustard, rather sweet
Dijon mustardfamed and fiery
Ancient Romans' favourite treat

Mustard added to picnic sandwiches,
Hamburgers, corn dogs, hot dogs too
Used in dressings, glazes, sauces,
Soups, and marinades, grand to chew

It's an ingredient in mayonnaise,
Vinaigrette, marinades, tossed in a pan
Eaten with pretzels, bratwurst, bacon
Kasundi in Bengal, Karashi, Japan


Mustard draws your blood to your feet,
Relieves congestion. Spices meat

Mustard is sold in glass jars, bottles,
Squeeze tubes. It will not mould or rot
Mustard is antibacterial
Mix it up in a mustard pot!

Some brands are mixed with brandy, peach
Arran mustard is made with whisky,
Sweetened with apple sauce, or honey
Cognac flavour, Jack Daniel's frisky

Mustard travels around the globe
Mustard fields of Canada's plains
The sausage carts of Germany,
The elegant eateries of Spain,

There are Confidential Condiment Counsellors
Finding mustards most suited to you
Chocolate, blue cheese, cranb'rry, tequila,
Wasabi, samples laid out on view

Mustard's a useful emetic, diuretic,
Can treat arthritis, rheumatic aches.
May be helpful in healing hearts
Cancer, diabetes, and bronchial quakes

Mustard draws your blood to your feet,
Relieves congestion. Spices meat
Mustard! Mustard! Cut the mustard
Restoring taste to the food we eat