Hon Wasabi
Everyone who loves sushi is undoubtedly familiar with the small blob of green paste that garnishes the sushi plate. Wasabi, the hot Japanese horseradish, is an ideal condiment for sushi and sashimi. But have you ever heard of hon wasabi? If not, you are certainly missing out on a real authentic treat. Hon wasabi is the genuine Japanese wasabi. The wasabi you find in the United States is often a fake, Western version of the real thing. One of the main reasons for this is the price — real wasabi is expensive.
Real wasabi is made from the root of a perennial plant similar to watercress. It has been cultivated in Japan for thousands of years, and also in America in recent years. The roots are gathered, allowed to dry, and then ground into a powder. The powder is reconstituted into a paste when it is ready for use.
In some restaurants, the chefs will use a fresh root and grate it to serve the raw wasabi. Hon wasabi exhibits a distinctive sharp taste and a fiery heat, whether fresh and raw, or reconstituted from its powder form. The flavor is also fresher, smoother, and more herbal than Western wasabi.
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