WASABI – The wasabi stem is grated into wasabi paste – the wasabi served on your plate has only 1% wasabi in it, because it is the most expensive plant to grow commercially in the world.
Wasabi, or Japanese horseradish is a plant of the family Brassicaceae which also includes horseradish, mustard, and broccoli. A paste made from its ground stems is used as a condiment for sushi and other foods. It stimulates the nose more than horseradish which stimulates mostly the tongue.
The plant grows naturally along stream beds in the mountain river valleys of Japan. The oldest record of wasabi as a food dates to the 8th century AD and the popularity of wasabi in English-speaking countries has coincided with that of sushi. starting in about 1980.
Due to issues that limit the Japanese wasabi plant’s mass cultivation and thus increase its price and decrease availability outside Japan, the western horseradish plant is generally used in place of the Japanese horseradish. This is commonly referred to as “western wasabi” by sushi chefs.
Watch this Wasabi Video to find out: Why Real Wasabi Is So Expensive!
(Source: Wikipedia and Youtube)
