The Wonders of Wasabi
For the past several months, our team researched and taste-tested all kinds of wasabi. We sought after the best wasabi that matched the quality and value of our seafood selection. We decided on a premium wasabi that’s served at the best restaurants in LA, and now you can find it in our sushi and sashimi trays.
As we level up our wasabi flavor, let’s dive into the history and health benefits of our favorite Japanese condiment.
Wasabi Roots in Medicine
Did you know that the history of wasabi go back as far as thousands of years ago?
Wasabi is documented as a medicinal plant that dates back to the Asuka period (552 to 645 AD). In the town of Asuka in Nara Prefecture, archaeologists dug up wooden sticks that listed names of medicinal plants from a garden pond. They identified wasabi as one of the medicinal plants, indicating the likelihood that it was harvested in the pond.
One legend traces back to the Keicho period (1596-1615), a villager in the Utogi village brought home wild wasabi plants from Mount Wasabi, located near the Utogi River. The villager replanted the wasabi in their village, inspiring more people to grow the wasabi along the water.
Growing Across Japan
Cultivation on a large scale began in the 1600s, villagers from Izu (in Shizuoka Prefecture) presented wasabi the feudal shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who loved it for its pungent taste. As a result, he encouraged wasabi cultivation, though he kept the cultivation techniques a secret.
During the Bunka Bunsei era of the Edo period (1804-1830), sushi became popular in Japanese cuisine thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Also, people noticed the perfect pairing of wasabi’s spiciness with the raw fish. They found that adding wasabi to their sushi diet enhanced their appetite and prevented food poisoning by stopping bacterial growth, as no refrigeration was available back then. Over time, wasabi also became a popular condiment with soba (buckwheat noodles), making it accessible to commoners.
Health Benefits and Properties
Wasabi is a super-plant that can improve your overall health. As part of the Brassicaceae family, the presence of natural glucosinolate in wasabi is also found in cabbage, mustard, and horseradish.
Here are some of the key health benefits of wasabi:
Its antimicrobial properties are effective against bacteria such as E. coli and staph infections
It can counter inflammatory conditions such as allergies, asthma, eczema
Wasabi can improve short-term memory and episodic memory, the latter for language skills and carrying out simple tasks
No wonder wasabi has remained relevant as a medicinal plant for over a thousand years. Love it or hate it, this is a powerful food to include in your diet.
Whether you like your wasabi chopped by the stems or grated at its roots, we carry an assortment of wasabi at both San Gabriel and West LA locations. Brands on our shelves include Kinjirushi Wasabi, S&B, and more. Try our varieties and you may find your favorite wasabi here.
What do you think of our new wasabi?
Feel free to reach out to us at yamaseafoodla@gmail.com with your feedback!