What is Sushi?
Sushi is vinegar flavored rice topped with other ingredients such as seafood, vegetables and often tropical fruits. Sushi used to be a dish with fermented fish and rice preserved in salt and was a staple dish in Japan for many years until arrival of contemporary Sushi.
Traditional sushi used to take longer time in preparation due to fermentation requirement. Now-a-days, contemporary sushi has almost become a type of fast food. Currently, sushi consists of vinegar-flavored rice, raw or cooked fish, and vegetables — all wrapped in seaweed.
The word ‘Sushi’ actually means ‘Sour’ and hence often served with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce. Although traditionally Sushi is cooked with medium-grain white rice, it can be prepared with brown rice or short-grain rice as well.
Along with rice, non-vegetarian sushi is generally prepared with seafood such as Tuna, Salmon Squid, Eel, Yellowtail or Crab. Vegetarian Sushi is also prepared with rice and fresh vegetables and served with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.
In Japan Sushi is prepared in a very simple way and usually contains just one type of fish or vegetable. While adding condiments, they do not mix wasabi in the soy sauce. The pickled ginger is considered as a palate cleanser and is eaten in between pieces of sushi.
Sushi is usually served on a small platter with a side dish for dipping. However, invariably sushi is served in a bento, a box with small compartments that hold various dishes accompanying meal such as soy sauce that is meant for flavoring the topping
Sushi is often regarded as a health food because it is enriched with several nutrient-rich ingredients that contain vitamins, minerals and health-promoting compounds.
Types of Sushi
Among most common types of Sushi are:
- Nigiri or nigirizushi
- Maki rolls or makizushi
- Inarizushi Chirashi or chirashizushi Temaki or hand roll
- Oshizushi
- Narezushi
Advantages of freshly prepared Sushi
Since, Sushi is a fermented food; it should ideally cooked and eaten fresh. Pre-cooking Sushi has certain disadvantages that can spoil its taste and nutrition values.
In pre-cooked Sushi:
- Rice loses its flavor as it cools down and also becomes hard when refrigerated.
- Softening of nori i.e. the dark green, seaweed used to hold toppings in place and to wrap sushi rolls, starts after 15-20 minutes and becomes soggy after 30 minutes.
It becomes soggy, even when it is put it in the refrigerator.
- Raw fish even when left at room temperature for more than 3 hours may develop bacteria and become contaminated.
- Sauces need to be in separate containers as they may soak into rice and make Sushi soggy.
That is why all customer-caring restaurants and caterers prepare fresh Sushi and serve or deliver ordered Sushi to help maintain original flavors, taste and nutrition value of Sushi.
Sushi catering at Nicholas Catering is considered the best as they cook and serve mouth watering variety of Sushi dishes. They accept orders for Sushi as per your requirement and prepare absolutely fresh Sushi using fresh Australian seafood and ingredients.
