Wasabi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wasabi |
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Wasabia
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W. japonica
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| Wasabia japonica Matsum.
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Wasabi is a very spicy plant from the cabbage family. People use its root to make a strong-flavored spice. This root is crushed into a paste and served as a condiment, especially with sushi.
The spiciness of wasabi is unique. It feels more like hot mustard or horseradish than a chili pepper. This is because wasabi mostly irritates your nose rather than your tongue. Eating too much can cause a strong, tingly feeling in your nose!
Where Does Wasabi Grow?
The wasabi plant grows naturally in Japan. It needs very specific conditions to thrive. It requires clean, cool water and a mild climate.
Growing wasabi is quite difficult. There are two main ways farmers grow it. One way is to grow wasabi directly in water, often in special terraces. The other way is to grow it in fields, like other plants.
Major places where wasabi is grown in Japan include Shizuoka, Nagano, Shimane, Yamanashi, and Iwate prefectures. Wasabi is also grown in other countries like China, New Zealand, and Taiwan.
Real vs. Fake Wasabi
Because wasabi is so hard to grow, real wasabi is quite rare and expensive. If you see green wasabi paste, it's often not made from real wasabi.
Most of the time, this green paste is actually made from horseradish, mustard, and green food coloring. This mix gives a similar spicy kick but is much cheaper to produce.
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Wasabi plants growing in water
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Wasabi paste on a Shiso leaf
Images for kids
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Wasabi grated into a paste
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A drawing of a wasabi plant from 1828 by Iwasaki Kanen
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Wasabi on a metal oroshigane grater
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Fresh wasabi stems for sale at Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino, Japan
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Wasabi plants growing on Japan's Izu Peninsula
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A comparison of grated wasabi colors from different types
See also
In Spanish: Eutrema japonicum para niños
