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PhrasesDietary RestrictionsSono allergico/allergica alla senape.
B1

Sono allergico/allergica alla senape.

I am allergic to mustard.

Pronunciation

SEH-nah-peh — three syllables, stress on first. Very open Italian vowels.

When to use it

Use when ordering dressings, marinades, or meat dishes where mustard may appear. Mustard is less prevalent in traditional Italian cooking than in French cuisine but appears in some northern Italian dishes.

What it means

Mustard (senape) is one of the 14 EU allergens. In Italian cuisine, it appears in some northern salad dressings (mostarda), meat marinades, and occasionally in 'mostarda di Cremona', a condiment made with fruits and mustard oil.

Variations

Questo condimento ha la senape?

Does this dressing have mustard?

Checking vinaigrette or marinade ingredients.

La mostarda di Cremona ha senape?

Does Cremona mustard have mustard?

Yes — mostarda contains mustard oil, not mustard seeds, but it's still an allergen.

Senza senape nella vinaigrette.

Without mustard in the vinaigrette.

Specific exclusion for salad dressing.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Sono allergico alla senape. L'insalata ha una vinaigrette con senape? Cameriere: Il nostro condimento standard ha aceto balsamico e olio — niente senape. Cliente: Ottimo. E la carne in umido? Cameriere: Quella sì, ha un po' di senape nella marinatura. Meglio evitare.

Client: I'm allergic to mustard. Does the salad have a vinaigrette with mustard? Waiter: Our standard dressing has balsamic vinegar and oil — no mustard. Client: Excellent. And the braised meat? Waiter: That one does, it has a bit of mustard in the marinade. Better to avoid it.

Cultural Note

Mostarda di Cremona is a famous Lombard condiment made from candied fruits preserved in a syrup with mustard oil. Despite its jam-like appearance, it contains mustard allergens and is traditionally served with bollito misto (boiled meats).