Durham Mustard 

Mustard can be dated back to the Romans, using mustard seeds to disguise the taste of rotting meat, but mustard as the condiment we know and love today began in England in the 1700’s.  Durham Mustard was first created by Mrs Clements in 1720, being inspired by flour mills and the refining process Mrs Clements focused on the grounding process of mustard seeds to create a fine mustard powder which in turn created a much stronger mustard flavour.  Mrs Clements, started her mustard empire on Saddler Street in Durham city centre. Its thought to be on the site which is now Vennels Café. This is where Mrs Clements first ground and created Durham mustard which she sold across the city.

Popularity grew across Durham for Mrs Clements’ mustard and after becoming increasingly popular, it gained the attention of George 1st who patented the product.  Popularity grew following this and Durham Mustard was sold nationwide.  Durham Mustard not only was beneficial for Mrs Clements but the surrounding areas. Mustards seeds were grown across County Durham, notably Shincliffe where fields of seed were recorded to sell for as much as £100 an acre.  The industry also positively affected Gateshead where the clay pots were produced.

As popularity grew for Mustard in the 1700s other companies began to start, including Keens Mustard and Colemans (1814).  When Durham Mustard was passed from Mrs Clements to her daughter, and her husband Mr Ainsley. The couple continued Durham Mustard, with the addition of the Ainsley name, and this was kept within Durham and the family until the end of the 1800’s where it was eventually sold to the growing company of Colmans.

Anya Kirkby Of Durham Mustard has worked hard to really strip back the ingredients and focus just as Mrs Clements did on the quality of mustard seeds. Mrs Beeton in 1893 references a simple recipe similar to that used by Mrs Clements in her ‘All About Cookery’ and this is the inspiration for the modern recipe. 

The Durham Mustard branding is starting to spread across the region and takes inspiration from original packaging.  The website and promotional material all have matching branding – the website is a great place to contact Anya and find out more about Durham Mustard.

The launch has been local media and mainstream and specialist interest publications, notably the front page of the Northern Echo and a double page spread in the Weekend Memories section. This led to a lot of social media coverage and discussion, which promoted the new business and awareness of the Durham Mustard story.  One publication ran a lovely headline which sums up the reason behind the project.  Anya had a lot of messages from local people with information and suggestions about Durham Mustard, this is more than just a commercial startup venture, this is a piece of history and they are delighted people responded so positively.

Anya is in conversation with various groups about speaking at their meetings and events, spreading the story of Durham Mustard and recruiting Durham Mustard champions.  

Call to action – anyone interested in stocking Durham Mustard (in shops, accommodation providers etc.) or collaborating (restaurants, food producers etc.) please contact Anya on info@durhammustard.com