What is Wasabi?
Wasabi is that pale green condiment that
sometimes comes with sushi. Wasabi flavor has
been compared to mustard or horseradish—
indeed wasabi is sometimes called Japanese
horseradish—but the flavor and smell of real fresh
wasabi are unique. It is a wonderful condiment or
spice and has many other uses as well.
Forget what your dictionary says, the Japanese
pronunciation is wä!-sä!-b‘, that is accent on
both the first and second
syllables.
The wasabi plant (wasabia Japonica or Eutrema wasabi) is native to certain areas of Japan, where it grows in or near cool mountain streams. It is cultivated in Japan and several other
parts of the world including the Pacific Northwest of the USA and Canada. To make the condiment paste, a wasabi rhizome (above-ground root stem) is ground or grated with a very fine grater, preferably a few minutes before use.