Spice up your meals with wasabi! This native Japanese plant is used in many culinary preparations. Seldom available for home gardeners, true Wasabi is a beautiful bright green round leaf plant that grows well in the Pacific Northwest. It is hardy, likes partial shade, is a garden worthy specimen and is harvestable after 2 years for roots and multiple plantlets which then can be replanted. Add its leaves to fresh salads, or pickle or dry them for spicy additions to recipes. Its root can be grated or made into paste which is traditionally served with sushi and noodle dishes. True wasabi, unlike the wasabi paste offered at some sushi chains or groceries, has a unique, complex flavor with fragrant peppery heat, followed by a smooth, sweet finish that does not leave a burning sensation. Wasabi is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anticancer and antibiotic properties. Grows 12-16 inches. Full shade. Photo and text courtesy of Gurney’s.
Wasabi ‘Mazuma’ Wasabia japonica
Description
Spice up your meals with wasabi! This native Japanese plant is used in many culinary preparations. Seldom available for home gardeners, true Wasabi is a beautiful bright green round leaf plant that grows well in the Pacific Northwest. It is hardy, likes partial shade, is a garden worthy specimen and is harvestable after 2 years for roots and multiple plantlets which then can be replanted. Add its leaves to fresh salads, or pickle or dry them for spicy additions to recipes. Its root can be grated or made into paste which is traditionally served with sushi and noodle dishes. True wasabi, unlike the wasabi paste offered at some sushi chains or groceries, has a unique, complex flavor with fragrant peppery heat, followed by a smooth, sweet finish that does not leave a burning sensation. Wasabi is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anticancer and antibiotic properties. Grows 12-16 inches. Full shade. Photo and text courtesy of Gurney’s.
