Wasabi - What it is and How to Use It

Wasabi is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is related to mustard, cabbages, and horseradish. This condiment is very strong tasting and its root is used as a seasoning. Known as “Japanese horseradish,” this ingredient grows along stream beds in Japanese mountain river valleys.

It is sold as a root, which you grate, or as a paste, which is ready to use. The paste is often made with horseradish, food coloring and mustard since real wasabi is very perishable and more expensive. Wasabi paste must be covered so the flavor does not evaporate and this is why sushi chefs usually put it between the rice and fish. You can also eat wasabi leaves and these are nearly as pungent as the roots.

This condiment is popular with sashimi or sushi and it can be combined with soy sauce. Sometimes peas, soybeans, or peanuts are fried or roasted and then coated in a wasabi coating. This seasoning has the reputation of being quite spicy but the spiciness is more akin to mustard than chilies and you can feel it in your nose rather than in the throat.

Not many places are naturally suitable to grow this seasoning although there are a lot of artificially cultivated facilities in Japan. A lot is also imported from New Zealand, Taiwan, and China because Japanese demand for it is so high. Some small companies produce it in North American, although parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Pacific Northwest offer the correct water and climate balance. The use of greenhouses and hydroponics means this condiment can be grown in other places too.

Recipe for Asparagus with Wasabi

Asparagus is wonderful on its own. It is tender, sweet, and juicy and can be served with a little salt or lemon juice. Classic flavors like egg, butter, cheese, and black pepper also go well with this tasty vegetable. If you want to give your asparagus an Oriental flavor, the following recipe might appeal to you because it combines sweetness and spice. You can either roast the asparagus in an oven or grill it. Using a charcoal grill with give the asparagus, a delightful smoky flavor and the grill marks look attractive too.

What you will need:

• 1/2 tablespoon tamari sauce


• 1/2 tablespoon water


• 1 bunch fresh asparagus


• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds


• 1 teaspoon wasabi powder


• 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

How to make it:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Snap the tough ends off the asparagus and put it on a baking sheet. Combine the tamari sauce with the sesame oil and water, and then stir in the wasabi. Only use half the amount if you prefer a milder flavor. Brush this sauce over the asparagus and make sure it is covered all over. Roast it for ten minutes, turning the spears once. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over after five minutes. Serve hot.

Wasabi - What it is and How to Use It