If you’re wondering what is the green paste beside your sushi, that’s probably what the Japanese call wasabi. Wasabi is a spicy condiment in paste or powder form. It is usually served beside sushi dishes, soba, sashimi, etc. to give the one eating the choice whether he would eat his food spicy or as it is.
The condiment is bright green as it comes from a vegetable called Japanese horseradish. It commonly grows in river valleys but it is quite hard to cultivate and maintain. There are three main sites for cultivating wasabi - Shizuoka, Nagano, and Iwate.
The paste and powder used in condiments is made from the stem of the horseradish. The stem is grated then processed to release its intense flavor.
With its spicy taste, a lot of foreigners and locals are addicted to it. If ever you’re craving for Japanese cuisine, try it with some wasabi - but not too much! The rich flavor of the food might be overpowered by the wasabi!
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