Horseradish, prepared

Fun Facts

1. Horseradish is a natural condiment that adds a distinctive, pungent flavor to foods. It is commonly used as a relish with meats and shellfish or as a tangy seasoning in sauces served with these foods. It also gives zest to appetizers, canapés, relishes, dips, spreads, salads, salad dressings, sauces, and gravies.
2. Horseradish is a member of the mustard family. Freshly grated horseradish root can be used much like garlic or fresh ginger as a wonderful piquant addition to a variety of sauces, dressings and marinades, but it is highly perishable.
3. The sharp and piquant flavor and the penetrating smell of horseradish become apparent when the root is grated or ground. This is because the root contains highly volatile oils which are released by enzyme activity when the root cells are crushed. If exposed to air or stored improperly, horseradish loses its pungency rapidly after grinding.
4. Horseradish products stored under refrigeration are more likely to be of higher quality than ones placed on regular shelves. Many sauces, dips, spreads, relishes, and dressings contain horseradish.