Why is it hard to find real wasabi?

“Most sushi restaurants don’t use real wasabi because it is very expensive (around $200 per kilogram), and it can be hard to find and purchase,” Bian tells us, adding that real wasabi’s lifetime is very short. “Most sushi restaurants use horseradish with green food coloring as wasabi.

Why is fresh wasabi so expensive?

Wasabi goes for nearly $160 per kilogram. Fresh wasabi is insanely expensive because it’s incredibly difficult to grow on a commercial scale. In fact, wasabi is “deemed by most experts to be the most difficult plant in the world to grow commercially,” according to this BBC article.

Can you buy real wasabi in the United States?

Outside of Japan, real wasabi is difficult to find. The green paste that is usually served along with sushi in the U.S. is actually a mix of horseradish, mustard powder and food coloring. However, Frog Eyes Wasabi in Oregon is one of the only North American wasabi operations, and the only one in the state of Oregon.

What is the difference between real wasabi and fake?

Real wasabi is a condiment that accentuates the delicate taste of fish, enhancing it to another level. Real wasabi is not spicy. It’s more like the aroma of spiciness but without the pungent punch of the mustard seed flour in the fake stuff. Fake wasabi has a very strong taste that overrules the delicate fish taste.

What is the cost of real wasabi?

The wasabi you’re used to eating is probably just horseradish, sweetener, and food coloring. Fresh wasabi is rare to come across and costs around $250 per kilo.

How expensive is authentic wasabi?

Actual wasabi is extremely rare and, in turn, extremely expensive. It can cost up to $250 for one kilogram of wasabi. (That’s a little more than 2.2 pounds for those of us who still use the imperial system.) That’s reason number one why it’s hard to come by.

How hard is it to grow wasabi?

Wasabi is widely considered to be one of the most difficult plants to cultivate and maintain. It is very picky about its environment, temperature, humidity, and water content, and it takes two years to mature and for you to reap the benefits.

How can you tell real Horseadish from wasabi?

Look for a firm, smooth root, free of any obvious dings or rot spots. By contrast, wasabi is extremely difficult to grow outside of its native Japan, which is why it’s a rare—and pricey—find in any form, and why horseradish is so often used as a substitute.