[CH] Re: Wasabi
Mark Ellis - Glacier Design (mark@glacierdesign.net)
Sat, 4 Aug 2001 11:36:38 +1000
G'day Again.
Sorry for this long post but thought you might find it interesting.
For the people who are discussing the hotties - Wasabi + Horseradish , well they
are not the same thing - Related but not the same. Same family but different
Genus and Species.
See below;
W A S A B I (Wasabia japonica syn. Eutrema japonica) is a member of the
cruciferae family originating in Japan and is related to cabbages. It is a
perennial which grows about knee high, is semi aquatic and produces a thickened
stem in a similar fashion to a small brussel sprout. As the stem grows the lower
leaves fall off. This stem has a very pungent smell and flavour when made into a
paste.
Wasabi can be produced both as a ground grown or water grown plant. The water
grown plants produce a higher quality product than the ground grown plants.
http://www.wasabi.co.nz/meet.html
=============
Horseradish
Botanical:Cochlearia Armoracia (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Cruciferae
This plant has been in cultivation from the earliest times, but its exact place
of origin seems to be obscure. Hooker considers that it is possibly a cultivated
form of Cochlearia macrocarpa, a native of Hungary; other authorities consider
it indigenous to the eastern parts of Europe, from the Caspian and through
Russia and Poland to Finland. In Britain and other parts of Europe from Sicily
northwards, it occurs cultivated, or semi-wild as a garden escape. It is
probably the plant mentioned by Pliny under the name of Amoracia, and
recommended by him for its medicinal qualities, being then apparently employed
exclusively in physic, not as food or condiment It is possible that the Wild
Radish, or Raphanos agrios of the Greeks was this plant It is said to be one of
the five bitter herbs, with Coriander, Horehound, Lettuce and Nettle. which the
Jews were made to eat during the Feast of Passover.
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/horrad38.html
Regards
Mark E. in Melbourne