Historic Mustard Factory Closes in Dijon
It was with great sadness that I read the Guardian’s announcement that Unilever, which assumed control of the two mustard brands Maille and Amora in 2000, will close its historic factory in Dijon, France. The facility has been producing Maille, the iconic French 18th century mustard, since 1911. But in a country where authentic culinary origin is next to godliness, this Dijon mustard will no longer be made in Dijon.
In my home, populated by Frenchmen, we have no less than four flavors of Maille mustard on hand at any given time, and, in the fridge, at least two open jars of the 11-spice French mustard-based condiment Savora (produced by Amora). Apparently, the price of mustard grains has risen by 144 percent in one year. For me, the world financial crisis now really hits home.
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9 Comments:
NOOOOOO!!!
jackiecat at 4:32PM on 11/28/08
: * (
hungrychristel at 5:13PM on 11/28/08
I was about to start flipping out until I read the Guardian article- the factory is being closed, but production will continue elsewhere. My favorite mustard (maille) and favorite mayo (amora) are safe for now.
lilybelle at 5:14PM on 11/28/08
Their mustard boutique in Dijon is amazing. You can buy an earthenware jar-like vessel and they'll fill it with one of three mustards "on tap."
ginalouise at 6:11PM on 11/28/08
Darn good thing they will produce it elsewhere--their coarse grain is a staple during the summer for a marinade for beef kebabs. 1 tbs. fresh minced thyme, 1 tbs. fresh minced rosemary, 2 tbsp. Maille coarse grain mustard, 2 tbsp, olive oil, 2 tbs. A1 steak sauce, 1 tbs. balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Marinate your cubes of beef for 3 hours, skewer and grill. Also good on a whole steak, but my hubby loves the kebabs esp. with cippoline onions and cremini mushrooms.
dhorst at 7:29PM on 11/28/08
NOT THE MUSTARD!!! Don't take it away. Who can we email to complain?
JerzeeTomato at 8:59PM on 11/28/08
Let us hope and pray that future Maille mustards produced outside Dijon won't result in another Gray Poupon Dijon disaster (what happened to that once delicious mustard that for the past 10 years has had an overpowering taste of horseradish?).
annzee at 12:50AM on 11/29/08
Kerry--
What is it... about 6 bucks back home for the 13.4 oz (380 g) jar? At the LIDL where I live in France, it's the cheapest place to get it. And, you wanna now how much it is? A cool 79 euro cents. And, with the current exchange rate, that makes it $1.002!
I didn't get Thanksgiving this year, but I get cheap mustard.
meg3j at 5:06AM on 11/29/08
I hope it doesn't change. I discovered Maille regular Dijon a couple of years ago and fell in love.
alosha7777 at 7:07PM on 11/29/08