food
Sushi Origins: Shocking Truths
The rice in early sushi was *thrown away*! It was just a fish preservative, not part of the meal.
Sushi isn't Japanese by birth!
The very earliest form of sushi, narezushi, originated in Southeast Asia, not Japan. It was a method to ferment and preserve fish in rice.
It was born to preserve fish.
Before refrigeration, sushi was a practical way to keep fish from spoiling. The fermented rice produced lactic acid, acting as a natural preservative.
Rice was once discarded!
For centuries, the fermented rice used to preserve fish in narezushi was thrown away. Only the cured fish was eaten.
"Sushi" means "sour taste."
The word "sushi" actually refers to the sour, vinegared rice that became central to the dish. It doesn't mean "raw fish" at all!
Modern sushi is a new invention.
The hand-pressed nigiri sushi popular today was invented in Edo-era Japan (early 19th century) by Hanaya Yohei as a fast food item.
Wasabi wasn't always standard.
While common now, wasabi was not always a standard sushi condiment. Pickled ginger (gari) was traditionally the primary palate cleanser.