A look behind the green facade: unlike the widely used imitations, real wasabi captivates with its lumpiness. Japanese horseradish or horseradish is grated in the traditional way for this purpose, which gives it a unique texture that imitations de facto cannot match. It is the real wasabi that makes sushi an unforgettable taste experience - a spicy adventure for the senses that perfectly highlights the pure flavours of the Japanese dish. Incidentally, sushi is not a traditional Japanese food, but a method of preparation that originated for the preservation of freshwater fish around the Mekong River.

Wasabi as a noble treasure

Genuine wasabi from Japan is a luxury in Europe; experts reveal prices of 100 to 300 euros per kilogram - truly an expensive treat. Its rarity and the extensive manual labour required for its cultivation make wasabi one of the most expensive vegetables in the world.

Sushi and the hoax: the truth about wasabi pastes

Restaurants and stores are often dominated by artificial wasabi concoctions with minimal amounts of the real kraut. The colour difference is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of these pastes are made from white horseradish, the cheap substitute for the precious original wasabi. Mustard powder and artificial colourants serve as further ingredients to give the imitation its characteristic green colour. It's time to look behind the green facade and discover the true face of wasabi.

"Seiyo Wasabi": The western imitation also in Japan

In Japan, people are familiar with the phenomenon of "seiyo wasabi," a Western-inspired version of the popular condiment. Although traditional wasabi originated in Japan, the imitation has also found its place in the Japanese homeland. In many restaurants and stores in Japan, the "Seiyo Wasabi" is used as a cost-saving substitute for the original.

Wasabi paste and its colourful world of dyes

Bright green meets lime green - the colouring of the wasabi variants reveals the difference. While the paste with real wasabi has a delicate lime green colour, the imitation with artificial dyes is dipped in an eye-catching, bright green. It is not only the unique sharpness that distinguishes genuine wasabi, but also its natural and authentic colouring. Algae, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyll and more - the list of ingredients in artificial wasabi is long.

The search for authenticity: where to find real wasabi

Is real wasabi paste hard to find? No problem: wasabi powder or freshly grated horseradish is the solution. If you are looking for real wasabi spiciness for your sushi, you also have options in Europe that come close to the expensive original. Wasabi powder, which is mixed in water shortly before consumption, can be an alternative. Or you can opt for freshly grated horseradish root from the region, which gives the sushi a subtle spiciness - a culinary and (lasting) adventure that is well worth it.