Real Wasabi Is One of the World's Rarest Crops—Here's Why

 

Real wasabi, known scientifically as Wasabia japonica, is one of the most difficult crops in the world to cultivate. The plant requires cool runni

ng water, shade, and carefully controlled temperatures, and it takes about a year and a half to mature

. Because of these strict growing conditions, true wasabi is produced almost exclusively in Japan, with only a handful of small farms elsewhere in the world attempting it.

Interestingly, most of the wasabi served at

 sushi restaurants outside Japan is not the real plant at all. It is typically a mix of horseradish, mustard

, and green coloring made to resemble it. As a result, very few people around the world have ever tasted 

authentic wasabi in its true form.

Real wasabi, known scientifically 

as Wasabia japonica, is one of the most difficult crops in the world to cultivate. The plant requires

 cool running water, shade, and carefully controlled temperatures, and it takes about a yea

r and a half to mature. Because of these strict growing conditions, true wasabi is produced almost exclusively in Japan, with only a handful of small farms elsewhere in the world attempting it.

Interestingly, most of the wasabi served at sushi restaurants outside 

Japan is not the real plant at all. It is typically a mix of horseradish, mustard, and green coloring made to 

resemble it. As a result, very few people around the world have ever tasted authentic wasabi in its true f

orm.