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'〔(【引用サイトリンク】title= Eutrema japonicum (Miq.) Koidz. )〕 is a plant of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. It is also called Japanese horseradish,〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Wasabia japonica )〕 although horseradish is a different plant (which is often used as a substitute for wasabi). Its stem is used as a condiment and has an extremely strong pungency more akin to hot mustard than the capsaicin in a chili pepper, producing vapours that stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue. The plant grows naturally along stream beds in mountain river valleys in Japan. The two main cultivars in the marketplace are ''E. japonicum'' 'Daruma' and 'Mazuma', but there are many others. ==Uses== Wasabi is generally sold either as a stem, which must be very finely grated before use, as dried powder in large quantities, or as a ready-to-use paste in tubes similar to travel toothpaste tubes. Because it grows mostly submerged, it is a common misconception to refer to the part used for wasabi as a ''root'' or sometimes even a ''rhizome'': it is in fact the stem〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://tassiechef.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-is-shima-wasabi-stem-on-right-and.html )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.shimawasabi.com.au/Using%20Fresh%20Wasabi.html )〕 of the plant, with the characteristic leaf scar where old leaves fell off or were collected. In some high-end restaurants, the paste is prepared when the customer orders, and is made using a grater to grate the stem; once the paste is prepared, it loses flavour in 15 minutes if left uncovered.〔(What's That Stuff? Wasabi | Science & Technology | Chemical & Engineering News )〕 In sushi preparation, sushi chefs usually put the wasabi between the fish and the rice because covering wasabi until served preserves its flavor. Fresh wasabi leaves can be eaten, having the spicy flavor of wasabi stems. Legumes (peanuts, soybeans, or peas) may be roasted or fried, then coated with wasabi powder mixed with sugar, salt, or oil and eaten as a crunchy snack. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wasabi」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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