If you are a newbie to sushi restaurants, I can understand that many things were not so clear during your first dinners.
Sushi can be considered an art, and the best sushi, especially Japanese Master chefs, dedicate their entire life to mastering that fantastic art.
It is essential to know the basics of sushi to do not disrespect the chefs and keep proper behavior during your dinner or lunch.
For that reason, in that article, we will discuss why ginger is present in sushi and how to use it during your sushi meals.
Why ginger with sushi? The primary purpose of ginger sushi is to clean the palate between sushis to distinguish the differences between one to others.
Anyway, there are other essential benefits that at first appeal may not be so obvious but do not worry, because this is what we will see in the next part of the article.
What’s the purpose of ginger with sushi?
The use of ginger in sushi has the primary effect of cleaning the taste between a piece of sushi and another, but it is not limited to that purpose.
There are some other hidden effects that ginger has when eaten with sushi. One of these effects is acting as protection from bacteria that may be present in raw fish.
Different types of dishes are consumed raw; some of these may be more harmful than others, like the raw crab.
While others, like tuna, have a limited side effect when consumed raw.
In sushi, both raw or cooked with steam, will help indigestion.
The most common type of ginger used in sushi is called gari, and its preparation is made by marinating all with sugar and vinegar.
In ancient times, beyond being used as primary means of eliminating bacteria from raw fish, it was used as a sanitizer for disinfecting the hands before eating sushi.
Are you supposed to swallow ginger with sushi?
No, ginger is not supposed to be swallowed with sushi since it will eliminate the flavor of the piece of sushi, and it can be seen as a derogatory action to the chef.
The use of ginger sushi is limited only to eliminate the previous taste of the piece of sushi and be ready to take the maximum of the flavor for the next one.
If you ever think about putting the slice of ginger on the top of a piece of sushi, you are entirely wrong; you are doing an activity that can seem derogatory for the chef preparing it.
Since sushi is an art, some of the best chefs specialize in preparing it, Sometimes they take their entire life, dedicate everything to making the perfect sushi.
But by modifying a piece of sushi, or adding a slice of ginger, that for your eyes may seem as usual, for them, it can seem like an insult and contempt for all the effort they had during the past years. So, never put slices of ginger on the top of sushi.
Why are ginger and wasabi often served with sushi?
In the majority of the sushi restaurants that you will visit, with a high possibility of chance, you will notice that a plate of wasabi and ginger will be present.
We have already discovered that ginger’s primary purpose in sushi is to clean the palates by guaranteeing a pleasing flavor amongst the different pieces of sushi.
But what about wasabi? The small green substance may seem like a mysterious substance at first appeal?
Wasabi is a green spice paste made of the Wasabia japonica plant. It can be used together with the pieces of sushi to give more taste to the amount of sushi. Anyway, it is recommended to use it in moderation since it may also have side effects. See : 6 Side Effects of Eating Wasabi
There are substantial differences among the use of wasabi and gari during the sushi series, but one thing is valid, they will always come together.
Final thoughts
The ginger is an essential piece of the component on the sushi dishes, it has been present in the sushi dishes since the Edo Japanese period, and during ours days, even though its purpose has slightly changed during the years, it is and will always be present in the sushi dishes. Hoping that this article has given you a better overview of why ginger with sushi, we wish you enjoy your sushi time.
