One of those things you think about Japan - sushi and the condiment: wasabi. Some of us only ever see the green paste form and not the root form.
Found these on sale at the cable car station, on the way up to Mount Mitake. Sure ain't cheap, these horseradish.
Fresh leaves of wasabi can also be eaten and have some of the hot flavor of wasabi roots. The leaves can be dried and used for flavour in foods such as salad dressing, cheese, and crackers or pickled fresh in sake brine or soy sauce. I read somewhere that there's wasabi wine sold in some Japanese specialty stores as well as a higher alcohol content Wasabi liqueur.How does it taste, I wonder?
Fresh leaves of wasabi can also be eaten and have some of the hot flavor of wasabi roots. The leaves can be dried and used for flavour in foods such as salad dressing, cheese, and crackers or pickled fresh in sake brine or soy sauce. I read somewhere that there's wasabi wine sold in some Japanese specialty stores as well as a higher alcohol content Wasabi liqueur.How does it taste, I wonder?
I came across wasabi ice cream in the menu but have never tasted it before. I must try one day :)
ReplyDelete@Mei Teng,
ReplyDeleteI ate wasabi ice cream before at Spread, Gardens Hotel. Taste OK but not my favourite. :D
I LOVE wasabi!!! Cleans your nasal passages like nothing else! :-)
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm lovelovelove the stuff!! Haven't ever tried the fresh stuff though... one day! ^^
ReplyDelete@Anna,
ReplyDeleteThey sure do that, don't they. If I had wasabi every single day, I bet there's no blockage at all for me. XD
@Ri,
ReplyDeleteCan I join you when you plan to try the fresh ones? ^^
Yup, wasabi sure clears the nose passage instantly! LOL! But I never seen the root form before. Niceeee..
ReplyDeleteI have seen those horseradish before but only in books! Haha!
ReplyDeleteWasabi wine? Gosh! Wonder how that would taste like!
ReplyDeleteI want wasabi ice cream!!!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the actual root before and only in tube form. Other than clearing up sinuses sometimes I wonder if the really strong wasabi also lessen brain cells too. :D
ReplyDeleteI love fresh wasabi root, but it can be difficult to find in Australia. The House brand do a good wasabi paste that is sold at most Asian supermarkets.
ReplyDelete@Bella,
ReplyDeleteNow I've seen the root form but I've yet tasted freshly grated wasabi. ;)
@foong,
ReplyDeleteIn books and on the internet! ;)
I wonder how the wine would taste too.
@AVCr8teur,
ReplyDeleteLess brain cells eating strong wasabi? uh oh! o.O
@Japan Australia,
ReplyDeleteI buy House brand items too, as they can be found in supermarkets here. ^^
That reminds me... have to finish the oden no moto I've stashed for months in my kitchen before it expires. XD
Oh! you know the taste of real fresh wasabi, don't you? That's sooooo heavy nose puncher. lol
ReplyDelete@bird,
ReplyDeletenose puncher. Yeah, felt exactly that. ;)
True Wasabi (wasabia japonica) has a totally different taste to the coloured horseradish found in the tubed stuff. It is nose clearing, but then you get a clean sweetish taste that cleans the mouth. I only use the Namida 100% Pure Wasabi Powder that I make up with water. It has all the taste of True Wasabi, but the convenience of being able to store it in the freezer until required. Recipes (including ice cream)using wasabi can be found at http://wasabi.org together with information on its medicinal properties. There are also a number of articles about wasabi including a very interesting, long one from a wasabi grower.
ReplyDelete@Michel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info! :)
this is really interesting. i've not seen wasabi in root form.
ReplyDeletei am not to fond of wasabi though i like just a teeny weeny pinch when i eat sushis
ReplyDelete@Ayie,
ReplyDeleteAnd I tend to put a bit too much and paid for it! The sting! LOL