Wasabi Japonica Plant

"Real wasabi or Japanese horseradish [scientifically known as Wasabia japonica, Cochlearia wasabi, or Eutrema japonica] is a root that grows on farms in Japan. Fresh wasabi paste is made by grating the wasabi rhizome, the subterranean stem of the plant," Bian tells us.

Can you grow Japanese wasabi?

People successfully grow wasabi, either in greenhouses or in very shady areas of their yard, year after year. While it takes about two years for your plants to come to fruition, growing this green-tinted rhizome is entirely doable at home, and in the meantime, you can harvest tasty leaves to use too!

How big does a wasabi plant grow?

Wasabi plants can reach 24 inches in height so space plants at least 12 inches apart. Water well, but do not let the plant sit in drainage water. After initial planting irrigate regularly with cool water.

Is wasabi plant hard to grow?

The reason is simple: wasabi is deemed by most experts to be the most difficult plant in the world to grow commercially.

Do sushi restaurants use fake wasabi?

Yes, it's true. Over 95% of wasabi served in sushi restaurants does not contain any real wasabi. Most fake wasabi is made from a blend of horseradish, mustard flour, cornstarch and green food colorant. This means that most people who think they know wasabi have actually never tasted the stuff!

Do sushi restaurants in Japan use real wasabi?

Mind you, you might never try the real stuff, since 95 percent of Japanese restaurants offer fake wasabi, even in Japan. "There are 'conveyor belt' restaurants, and they also use fake wasabi, but we call it 'western' wasabi,” says Yamamoto.

Why is wasabi the hardest plant to grow?

Growing wasabi plants is frankly difficult because their growing needs are so specific. Wasabi requires shady conditions, uniformly moist but not wet soil, and temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit without a lot of temperature swings.

Can I grow wasabi indoors?

More than just an edible plant, wasabi is also a stunning indoor or water plant, best suited to shaded areas and indirect sunlight. It's a perfect solution for dark, shaded areas under the canopy of other plants or in the shade of your home or neighbouring fenceline.

Can I grow wasabi in my backyard?

When grown in a home garden Wasabi does best in full shade with steady temperatures between 50-60°F, although the Daruma variety is slightly more tolerant of heat and light. Temperatures below 40°F may slow growth and temperatures below 27°F can kill the entire plant.

Is wasabi an invasive plant?

No. Not like horseradish or mint or strawberries. Wasabi propagates via offshoots that grow from the base of the plant.

Does wasabi need full sun?

Wasabi Plants Needs Full Shade To be overly clear – if a wasabi plant gets sunlight it will wither and droop very quickly.

Where should I plant wasabi?

Wasabi can be grown in soil (under shade), hydroponically, or in clean running streams with gravel beds.

Are wasabi plants expensive?

As the plant is only native to Japan, wasabi is one of the most expensive crops in the world. This is why a lot of people outside of Japan may have never actually tasted real wasabi before. Real wasabi is incredibly expensive because wasabi plants are notoriously difficult to grow and require very specific conditions.

Can you eat wasabi leaves?

Talking about real wasabi might leave you thinking that the only useful part of the plant is the stem, but if you have a plant, then you should use all of it, including the leaves. These can be eaten pickled (in a dish called "wasabi zuke") or cooked and added to any meal for a little kick, or they can be eaten raw.

How long does wasabi plant last?

(Unopened)	Pantry	Fridge
	Past Printed Date	Past Printed Date
Wasabi Paste lasts for	12 Months	12 Months
Wasabi Powder lasts for	12 Months	12 Months
Wasabi Root lasts for	1-2 days	1 Month

Is wasabi just horseradish?

Is wasabi the same as horseradish? Wasabi and horseradish are different plants of the same family. However, most of the so-called wasabi sold outside of – and commonly even within – Japan is simply regular horseradish root cut with green food colouring and other things.

Why is American wasabi fake?

True wasabi comes from the root of the wasabi plant. It's very difficult to grow them — too much humidity can ruin an entire crop of wasabi and it needs to be grown in water beds, which is something not commonly done in North America. The plant itself takes about a year to mature.

What is the real purpose of eating wasabi with sashimi?

Traditionally, wasabi was used to make the fish taste better and to fight bacteria from raw fish. Today, wasabi is still used for this reason. Its flavor is designed to bring out the taste of the raw fish, not cover it.

Is wasabi spicy good for you?

It's Nutritionally Good for You For those of you who eat wasabi semi-regularly, you will be pleased to hear that wasabi contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Some of these vitamins and minerals included in wasabi are vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as many others.

Can you buy real wasabi in the United States?

We sell and ship plant starts for your garden. With Oregon Coast Wasabi, you can use fresh, locally-grown wasabi, shipped directly from our farm. We also sell rhizomes (root) for the kitchen.