8 Things You Never Knew About Wasabi
Japan’s most famous condiment has increased its popularity across the world. It’s being implemented in various hotels and restaurants across the globe. In Thailand, you will find the pickled wasabi being enjoyed in various sushi restaurants, especially in Bangkok. The health benefits of wasabi, have aroused an increase in its acceptance in the Thai nation. The dull green condiment is mostly and popularly served with sushi. Here are the curious things you never knew about the wasabi.
Wasabi is in the cabbage family
Wasabi is an herbaceous plant that is related to mustard, cabbage, and radish not a version of horseradish as people tend to think.
It’s expensive to buy real wasabi
This is because it’s challenging to grow wasabi and there is a high demand for it and a limited supply, therefore, expensive to buy. Even though it is now grown in different countries, the demand for wasabi plants has ramped up.
Not only sushi, try it in other dishes too
Due to its popularity as a condiment for sashimi and sushi, wasabi can be used in a lot of other dishes. It can be added to dipping sauces, wasabi rice bowls, soba noodles, wagyu and chazuke. Also, enjoy the wasabi paste with a sprinkle of soy sauce with deep-fried battered vegetables and tempura. For dishes that contain different kinds of raw fish, have wasabi served on the side either as a condiment, spice, or herb.
All parts of the wasabi are useful
The leaves, roots, stems are all useful even though more emphasis has always been on the stem. The leaves can be pickled and eaten either cooked or raw and can also be added to any meal for a little kick. The leaves can be used to flavor foods like crackers, cheese, and salad dressing when dried. The lower portion of the plant’s stem is grated up into the spicy green mass that’s eaten with sushi.
It’s hard to grow wasabi
Just like any plant, the wasabi plants require particular conditions to thrive. Even though it’s served generously in the countries where it’s grown, you will find the plant in river valleys, as its roots are reaching into running underground water and it’s protected from direct sunlight. To grow it commercially, you have to be pretty determined as it will only grow around 1300-2500 meters above sea level.
Grated wasabi’s flavor disappears quickly
If you leave the wasabi paste uncovered for about 15 minutes, it will lose its flavor. Hence, grate what you need, when you need it. Eating real wasabi paste is a treat because the wasabi plant is quite precious. Even though you have visited your favorite sushi restaurant in Bangkok, which always serves you real wasabi, eat it within 15 minutes or so to get the full taste of it.
It has numerous health benefits
The antibacterial properties present in wasabi are responsible for fighting bacteria and E.coli which cause food poisoning. Pharmaceutical companies are using wasabi in anti-bacterial creams. For your body’s defenses, have wasabi regularly in your diet.
It’s highly nutritious
Besides isothiocyanates and anti-bacterial properties, the wasabi plant also has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. The stems and leaves have a lot of vitamin C and calcium and it’s also useful against cancer, allergies, and inflammation.
Real wasabi can last for long
Compared to the grated wasabi, which has a short shelf life, if stored properly an actual wasabi stem can keep its flavor for months. Therefore, if you grate your wasabi stem, and store it under the proper conditions, you can enjoy it over and over again.