In day-to-day life, we assume that people are related when they look similar. The same concept often applies to plants and animals – we guess that they must somehow be connected if their appearances have qualities in common.
With plants, however, this can be a little more difficult. Mustard and arugula, for instance, look quite different from each other.
Does that mean that mean arugula is related to mustard, or is it impossible for them to be related? The answer could surprise you.
Keep on reading, and we’ll teach you about the connections between arugula and mustard.
Quick Answer: Is Arugula Related to Mustard?
Yes! Believe it or not, arugula and mustard are both members of the Brassicaceae family. This family is also commonly called the mustard family for that reason.
Differences and Similarities Between Mustard and Arugula
Right off the bat, one thing that you might know about both mustard and arugula is that they’re frequently used in salads.
There’s a bit of a difference in their tastes, though. Arugula is well-known for its zesty and peppery taste that gives a kick to smoothies, salads, and soups.
Mustard greens, on the other flipside, have a spicy flavor very much like the mustard condiment. The more you chew it, the more you experience the hot flavor. Despite this, the taste isn’t too overwhelming, and many people enjoy the pungent flavor in their salads.
Also Check Out: Is Arugula Related to Dandelion?
You may also know mustard for the famous yellow condiment used internationally today. Mustard is beloved for its spices, which are used to make dressings and toppings.
But did you know arugula can also be used to make a condiment? In some countries, arugula seeds are turned into taramira oil, which can be drizzled over a salad or used in cooking.
Related Article: Does Arugula Look Like Spinach?
More on the Brassicaceae Family
The family that both mustard and arugula come from, Brassicaceae, is extremely large. With over 4,000 individual species, there’s obviously a wide array of plants involved.
Some of those plants include other popular culinary foods. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and horseradish all belong to this family.
For the most part, the family is comprised of agricultural plants. You’ll find many veggies such as the ones mentioned above, as well as seeds used to create vegetable oil. In some ways, you can kind of think of this family as the kitchen family, because you find so much of it in your pantry and fridge.
That’s not to say that there aren’t plants with purposes other than culinary here. Some flowers, including stonecress flowers, rockcress flowers, and candytuft flowers come from this family.
Also Read: Is Arugula Related to Cilantro?
Wrap Up
We hope you learned a little about the origins of both mustard and arugula in this article. Perhaps you were surprised to discover that they’re related, or maybe you already knew that.
Regardless, these two plants are a powerful duo in the kitchen. If you’d like to learn more about either one, you can read about where arugula comes from, or whether or not mustard is vegan.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
