4 ozs. Fresh Wasabi from Japan - Free Next Day Air Shipping. 1-800-KOBE BEEF.Com is proud to offer you authentic Fresh Wasabi from Japan. Today, we ship fresh Japanese Wasabi to restaurants, food distributors and individuals throughout North America. Whether you are looking to experience real Japanese Wasabi, find Wasabi recipes or learn more about Wasabi, you have come to the right place. Taste the difference!
Preparation and Why Such a Fine Paste?
To obtain the best flavour, texture and heat of sawa Wasabi the rhizome must be ground into a fine paste. In Japan the traditional method for grating Wasabi uses a sharkskin grater or “oroshi". If a sharkskin grater is not available, ceramic or stainless steel surfaces can be used. The important component of the grater is the teeth or nubs. Smaller teeth produce a finer paste that increases the unique heat and flavour of fresh Wasabi. Grating Wasabi releases volatile compounds, called isothiocyanates that gradually dissipate with exposure to the air. These compounds are not found in Wasabi until after the cells of the plant are broken up and turned into a paste. The finer the paste the more chemical reactions take place. Using a Wasabi grater and keeping the rhizome perpendicular to the grating surface minimizes exposure to the air. In this way, the volatile compounds are allowed to develop with minimal dissipation. This combination of natural volatiles, consistency and texture distinguish fresh wasabi from the imitation products of powdered and paste horseradish, which have been mixed with Chinese mustard and green food colouring.
How To Grate Wasabi
Wasabi rhizome finely grated on shark skin grater.
Rinse the rhizome under cold running water.
Scrape off any bumps or rough areas along the sides.
Scrub the rhizome with a stiff brush under cold running water and pat dry.
Cut the rhizome just below the leaf base.
Hold the rhizome perpendicularly to the surface of the grater and grate the rhizome using a circular motion. Grate only what will be used within 10 or 15 minutes as the flavour will begin to dissipate within a short period of time.
If you are using a sharkskin grater, rinse it under cold running water and let it air dry.
