International Sushi Day
International Sushi Day on June 18 is the perfect excuse to tuck into the Japanese specialty. Sushi has become a global phenomenon over the past 30 years or so after struggling to find a foothold in the West in the beginning. Raw fish didn’t initially sound appetizing to all cultures but we eventually realized that we were wrong and now we can’t get enough of it. It’s time to sharpen up your chopstick technique and treat yourself for International Sushi Day.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY
To find the origins of sushi we must look at a dish called narezushi. Narezushi is salted fish stored in fermented rice for months at a time. Southeast Asia and Japan both had their own version of the dish, the rice was discarded and the fish was eaten. This was the first iteration of sushi and was seen by the Japanese as an important source of protein.
In the Edo Period, between 1600 and 1800 in Japan, sushi as we know it was established. Fish and vegetables were wrapped in rice and mixed with vinegar. Much like with Narezushi, each region had its own variations to it, but this is close to the version most people in today’s world are familiar with. In the early 1800s, the style of nigirizushi began to emerge. This consisted of a mound of rice with a slice of fish draped over it.
The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 disrupted the Japanese economy and it displaced many people from Edo Japan. Japanese people were forced to restart their lives in new places and this consequently took sushi all over the world.
In the U.S., sushi was emerging from communities in Little Tokyo by the mid-twentieth century. It became popular among Hollywood celebrities which led to it gaining the public’s attention. What was once foreign to Americans became Americanized with the California roll that used crab and avocado instead of raw fish. In 2009, International Sushi Day was proclaimed on June 18. The idea came from Facebook and it took on a life of its own.
HOW TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY
1.Have a sushi day
Bring along your friends or family, go to your local sushi restaurant and feast. Listen to the chef’s suggestions and try something new.
2.Become a sushi chef
Watch a YouTube video and try making sushi yourself. You’ll need a rice cooker, a rice paddle, a bowl of water, a bamboo mat, a sharp knife, and the ingredients for the type of sushi you’re making. It takes concentration and commitment but the finished product is well worth it.
3.Watch a sushi documentary
The documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is available on Netflix. It’s the story of the world’s greatest sushi chef, 85-year-old Jiro Ono, and it received high praise from critics and viewers alike.
WHY WE LOVE INTERNATIONAL SUSHI DAY
A. The Taste
Looking to have your mind blown? The possibilities are endless as you create your own combination of seafood, vegetables, seasonings and sauces and have your sushi your own way. Mmmmm.
B. It’s Very Healthy
It’s difficult to get much healthier than raw fish and veg. The rice may not be the healthiest food in the world, but the carbs in it will give your body the energy it needs. If you’re looking to lose weight and stay in great shape then sushi is the way to go.
C. Variety
You’ll never get bored as there are a plethora of things you can choose with sushi. Even if you don’t love everything on the menu you will find something that tastes great. For extra flavor and spice, use soy and wasabi to dip your food in.
References:
“International Sushi Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/international-sushi-day/