The Zen of Wasabi

The Zen of Wasabi

Have you ever smothered in tears when you just realize you've got too much wasabi in your sashimi? Yes, I know you have. But why do we insist to put this creamy green thing on our food?

The one thing that is misunderstood from wasabi is how most people describe the taste. I disagree with the word “hot” or “spicy” that most people used. I would say “pungent” or “strong” will be more appropriate. Unlike chili peppers, the sensation of burning is not on the tongue, but on the sinus cavity (see: Wikipedia) which does not create a lingering heat on the tongue but creates vapor that would induce tears and sharp poke to the nose. (Which I still wonder why the Japanese wasn’t investigated for developing and exporting such biological weapon to the whole world…)

However, that’s exactly the problem, isn’t it? Once you accidentally taken too much of wasabi into your mouth and voila, a cool sharp bomb exploded in your mouth and you started crying as if your supermodel girlfriend just dumped you.

Have you ever wonder how then people enjoy wasabi that is so pungent? I believe it’s because we’re ashamed to shed tears in front of others. You see, shedding tears as an expression of enjoyment is rather embarrassing compared to sweating profusely when eating chili or spicy food. Did anyone care if you’re sweating because of eating chili or super triple spicy tom yam? No! Because it’s just normal! But once you’re crying because of wasabi, (it feels like) people looking at you and think how sissy you are to cry over a little bit of wasabi.

So, let us change the situation. The point of adding wasabi is to prevent microbiological growth in raw fish. But not only that, It’ll give extra kick and balance to the sushi or sashimi eaten. Therefore, it’s normal to add some wasabi to your sushi and by rights, it would be logical for everybody to enjoy the wasabi-smothered morsels in their own way.

In conclusion, you have the right to enjoy your food, including the ones with wasabi or any other strong flavour. So, if someday you did put too much wasabi on your sushi and you feels like blowing your tears, don’t hold it. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, let the tears streaming from your eyes. Visualize the salmon, the rice, the soya sauce and the wasabi flavours blending in your mouth. Or just as Sinatra said: “In other word…:” Enjoy.

Itadakimasu!

Cons