What is Sushi? Information About Sushi and Its Origins

In general, Americans do not know what real sushi is, and many believe sushi is simply raw fish - but raw fish is actually sashimi, not sushi. This incorrect belief of what sushi is has left many Americans unwilling to sample sushi as an appetizer. Still others have no clue what sushi is or why it is so expensive and considered a delicacy. Personally, I love real sushi, but I know it can be an acquired taste for some. I also love most types of sashimi, even the Americanized versions.

While many believe sushi is raw fish, it's important to note that sushi doesn't even have to contain fish at all. Granted, fish and seafood, especially raw or cured fish, is one of the most popular ingredients in sushi, but it is not necessary.

Sushi actually is characterized by a slightly sweet, sticky rice, made with a sweet vinegar and rice combination, usually lined with seaweed or kelp, called nori, and then the ingredients are placed in the center and the rice and seaweed are wrapped around the ingredients into a cylindrical roll. Once the sushi is rolled, it can be cut into the familiar circles served in restaurants and stores in America.

Some possible ingredients for a sushi include fish (cooked, steamed, raw or cured), seafood, and both raw and steamed vegetables. In America, other ingredients can be found in restaurants including pieces of beef, avocado, pickles, pimento, cheeses and more. As you can see, while sushi can contain raw fish, sushi itself is not actually raw fish. Once you realize this, you can probably find a sushi version to suit your tastes and sample real sushi, without worrying about eating raw fish (sashimi).

I was fortunate enough to meet and speak with a retired master sushi chef, Tad Ko, who has prepared sushi in both Japanese and American restaurants. Chef Ko informed me that sushi, while traditionally believed to be a Japanese delicacy, actually has its origins in China. After researching this claim, I discovered that several websites confirmed that sushi was introduced to Japan by the Chinese in the 7th century, but Japan put its own unique flare into sushi by adding the sushi roll that is now so familiar.

The reason sashimi was regularly used in Japan to make sushi is because refrigeration was not available and in order to store fish and meats, the meats were salted or cured raw with sea salts and rice in order to store them. The acidic and harsh salts would ferment and preserve the fish, and in essence, would 'cook' it without heat or flame, and the rice would slowly absorb excess moisture.

Since rice and sea salts were used to cure the fish, adding a few vegetables to the mix and using the seaweed to wrap the food and hold it together was a very easy meal to make, without the need for refrigeration and cooking. Chef Ko said the original sushi eaters would use the sea weed to cover their fingers and then reach into the bags of cured fish and rice mixture and eat it, or they would throw out the rice and eat only the sashimi that was left.

Chef Ko also continued to say that the traditional rolled sushi Americans are so accustomed to is actually not the most popular sushi in Japan. In Japan, sushi is generally a piece of fish, raw or cooked, thin sliced, and then placed upon an oblong shaped mound of rice, and then the two are loosely tied together by a 'string' of seaweed. Chef Ko also indicated that sushi sold in the tourist areas of Japan is more Americanized than what is sold from sushi stands in the less touristy parts of Japan.

The California roll sushi was invented in the mid 70s because Americans did not like the idea of eating raw fish, which was the most popular ingredient in Japanese sushi, as well as the American government putting very strict rules on serving raw fish, making it nearly impossible to meet federal food handling safety standards and still serving raw fish with the sushi. California roll sushi originated as rice, nori, cucumber, avocado, and imitation or real crab meat.

Today, there are many variations to the California roll sushi, but you won't find many of those outside of an airport or American restaurant in Japan. Most American restaurants that serve sushi actually serve cooked or steamed fish instead of raw fish, unless, as Chef Ko indicated, there is a master sushi chef on staff who knows how to handle and prepare raw fish to the government safety handling guidelines. In this instance, sushi can be quite expensive.

If you are new to sushi eating, your best bet is to start with a California roll sushi and work your way up to the original sushi varieties. Chef Ko says smoked eel is actually one of the favored sushi orders for Americans, though he often has had trouble convincing Americans to try it. However, he said, "Once they do taste it one time, they will want me to make more."

While you can purchase sushi from many supermarkets, the best sushi should be prepared fresh and you should eat it within an hour of its preparation. The seaweed used in sushi should also be fresh and not processed or dried, which will give the kelp an earthy or dirt taste that will not be present in fresh kelp.

The health benefits of eating sushi, especially sushi with fish, are amazing. Chef Ko informed me that kelp has, "All the minerals and good stuff bodies need." A bit of searching and I discovered that kelp does indeed contain many antioxidants and trace minerals in a naturally occurring and high absorption rate state, as well as containing calcium, copper, iodine, iron, potassium, and many more. In fact, according to the label of one package of fresh kelp, at least 28% of kelp's weight is from minerals.

If you eat sushi with fish, fish is known as one of the healthiest forms of protein available, as well as containing Omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for you, and also contains many vitamin B compounds.

If sushi is eaten with wasabi, the hot mustard like greenish substance often served with sushi, you will receive additional health benefits. One study I found even said wasabi may help prevent tooth decay.

Chef Ko also stated that with fish, good rice, kelp, vinegar, and vegetables, sushi is a complete healthy snack food, which is what it was originally intended for in Japan - a fast food, quick finger snack.

All said, sushi is a very healthy choice to try something different and add some flavor and variety to your diet, while also providing health benefits unlike most 'snack' foods. Stay tuned to Michelle L Devon's future articles that will talk about a beginner's guide to eating sushi and how to make your own sushi at home.