Wasabi - I Mean Real Wasabi!

You know that I like nothing more than busting a culinary myth and spoil peoples taste forever. Today I will apply this principle to a Japanese condiment of major worldwide popularity; Wasabi. Lets face it, we all love sushi and sashimi and what would these things be without pickled ginger, some soy sauce and last but not least our beloved wasabi. There is only a slight problem with that; There is no real wasabi in wasabi that is commonly served at the sushi joint! The vast majority of all products claiming to contain wasabi don't. What passes for wasabi in most stores and eating establishments is a faux mixture of horseradish, mustard, corn starch and food coloring. Real wasabi, the Wasabi Japonica or as it is generally called Hon Wasabi is a member of the cabbage family. Its root has an extremely strong flavor. Its hotness is more akin to that of a hot mustard than a chili pepper, producing vapors that burn the nasal passages rather than the tongue. The plant grows naturally along stream beds in mountain river valleys in Japan. This wild grown wasabi is rare and very expensive. This and the fact that it is only really good when grated freshly and consumed right away has led to the fact, that outside of Japans premier shushi and sashimi establishments, nobody serves real wasabi. So we served purpose number one and debunked the myth of what pretends to be real wasabi. In order to spoil your taste forever I would like you to visit my friends from Real Wasabi™ on their website. There you can order online all sorts of products that are made from real wasabi and yes - you can buy fresh, organically grown real wasabi that will be shipped to you by air. That is the ultimate trip for any lover of real sushi and sashimi! But be forewarned - like exposure to well finished wines, one experience with the unique flavor of Real Wasabi™ is likely to forever make you dissatisfied with "faux wasabi" substitutes.