What is Wasabi?

• Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is an aquatic root vegetable that is native to Japan, where it grows in cold mountain streams. Wasabi can be difficult to cultivate and crop failure is not uncommon. Although there are a few farms growing wasabi root in North America, much of it is still imported from Japan and can be prohibitively expensive. Many commercial wasabi powders only contain small amounts of real wasabi; the rest of the powdered mix is dried mustard and horseradish to mimic wasabi's fiery, sinus-clearing flavor, plus fillers to maintain consistency when the powder is reconstituted.

Using and Storing Wasabi Powder

• All wasabi powders are prepared in essentially the same way. Scoop two or three teaspoons of powdered wasabi into a small bowl, and then slowly add cold water to make a thick paste. You can adjust the amount of water to suit your preference, but a ballpark ratio to aim for is one part wasabi powder to one part water. Let the paste sit in the fridge for about five minutes, and then use immediately. Wasabi paste loses its potency the longer it sits at room temperature, so don't mix more than you will use in one meal. Wasabi powder is best stored in the refrigerator or freezer, especially if you use it infrequently.

Using Wasabi in Sushi

• Traditionally, in fine sushi restaurants, the sushi chef will take into account the flavor of the fish and other ingredients in each piece of sushi and will add the proper amount of wasabi. If you want a little bit more of a kick, add the wasabi to the fish directly, and do not mix wasabi into the shoyu or soy sauce. However, if you are making sushi for a casual dinner at home, don't feel obligated to follow strict sushi etiquette, and eat wasabi any way that pleases you.

Other Uses for Wasabi Powder

• Although it's not traditional, wasabi powder can be used anywhere you'd like to add a little fire. Blend wasabi powder with oil, vinegar, ginger and other seasonings to make a pungent salad dressing. Sprinkle a bit of wasabi powder into mashed potatoes to spice them up. Mix wasabi powder into mayonnaise for an intense sandwich spread. Add a dash of wasabi powder to your favorite stir-fry sauce .