Have you ever had mustard?
If you answered "yes" to this question, you're probably wrong. Most sushi eaters - even in Japan - are actually eating a mixture of horseradish powder and green food coloring, with a sprinkle of Chinese wasabi. Worldwide, experts believe that this combination of imposters disguises themselves as Wasabi about 99% of the time.
The reason comes down to supply and demand. Authentic mustard, known as Wasabia japonica , is the most expensive crop in the world to grow. This moody, semi-aquatic herb native to mountain streams in central Japan is notoriously difficult to grow. Once planted, it takes several years to harvest; even then, it won't sprout unless conditions are perfect. Grated mustard root will lose its flavor within 15 minutes.
Mustard has been cultivated for more than four centuries. Real mustard with a unique aromatic taste that first hits the nose. Next comes sweetness and finally spiciness.
If you get a chance to try real wasabi, it's hard to go back to the fake stuff.
Real mustard comes in three forms
- Place the mustard sauce into a squeeze tube. Should be sold and shipped frozen. Once you start using it, any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator. It's not as good as real fresh mustard, but much better than the fake stuff.
- Mustard powder. This is cheaper than the paste variety, but not as good. Even so, it still beats fake mustard.
- Mustard rhizome, you must grate with a grater, preferably a sharkskin paddle. This mustard is quite expensive and hard to find in brick-and-mortar stores. Luckily, there are now some online stores selling genuine products. Mustard rhizomes will keep for up to a month if kept moist in the refrigerator.
What is the difference in taste between real mustard and fake mustard?
Real mustard is a condiment that accentuates the delicate flavor of the fish, taking it to another level. Real mustard is not spicy. It has more of a spicy aroma, but without the pungent taste of mustard seed powder found in the fakes.
The fake mustard flavor was very strong and overpowered the delicate flavor of the fish. It brings a strong spiciness from the mustard seed powder.
