Wasabi is a type of perennial brassica and is a condiment used in Japanese cuisine for the fiery way it stimulates the nose. Historically it is recorded as having been used since the Heian Period and it is thought that wasabi has long been a popular ingredient. From the Edo Period, people started eating sashimi and grated wasabi dampens the raw fishy smell, enhances the flavor of the fish, and helps to prevent food poisoning, so it has long been loved and used by ordinary people. Conventionally, wasabi is known to have the following effects.
① Increases appetite
② Promotes synthesis of vitamin B1
③ Stabilizes vitamin C
④ Antiseptic and anti-parasitic properties
In recent years studies are being done to discover other new possible functions.
In this way, wasabi, which is a traditional Japanese condiment, has not only been used as a spice but has also become established as a food that is effective in promoting and maintaining good health.
Also, seen from the perspective of food hygiene in these days when food imports are rapidly increasing, advances are being made in the practical use of wasabi as an anti-bacterial agent and preservative, and it can be said to be a natural substance of which further expansion in application can be expected in the future.
Recently, in such places as Europe, America, South East Asia and Australia, there has been a boom in Japanese food, with Japanese restaurants opening up all over the place. This has had the effect of making wasabi popular overseas as well. For this reason recently in particular the overseas demand for wasabi is rising. However, production volume is small and production centers are few in number, so the balance of supply and demand is being destroyed. Over the next several years, the demand from overseas will probably increase several times.
Currently, I.O.D. Farm is experimenting with the cultivation of wasabi in mountain streams on the Bolaven Plateau in Laos, where water is plentiful and the altitude is 1500m above sea level. So far, it is growing steadily and experimental cultivation will soon come to an end. From next year, we plan to move on to cultivation in earnest. It will be a while yet before the product can be shipped out, but we plan to be able to provide shipments at inexpensive unit prices.
We will also provide land for growing wasabi. How about growing wasabi with us?
Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further. We will give you advice.
