THE HISTORY OF SUSHI

Delve into sushi history. Learn how simple preserved fish transformed into today's diverse culinary art.

Sushi has become one of the most revered dishes in Japan known for its freshness. Ironically, sushi was not invented in Japan and originally was created as a method to preserve fish in South East Asia. Alongside the Mekong river, fishermen would salt and dry fish before packing the insides of the fish with rice and storing it in barrels. The fish would be preserved through anaerobic fermentation which converted sugars from the rice into acid.

Sushi History: A surprising fact

Sushi by definition means sour rice. Sashimi had been traditionally eaten in Japan for centuries but sushi wasn’t introduced until the 7th century. The earliest form of sushi was called Nare Sushi. This fermented dish took over 1-2 months to perfect and was known for its pungent smell. After the development and popularization of rice vinegar, a new variety of sushi was created called Han- Nare where semi-fermented fish and rice were eaten together.

The word "Sushi" refers to..

The fermentation process became less popular due to its smell and the time and labor it required. Haya-Zushi or “fast sushi” emulated the tart flavor of fermentation through the use of vinegar, quickly pickling over the course of a couple of days. Therefore, the word sushi refers to rice.

How did it start?

The sushi that we know today was originally created as fast food at the beginning of the 19th century. A chef named Hanaya Yohei invented a style of sushi called Edo-mae named after the city Edo now known as Tokyo. Here lightly cured fish was served on top of rice which is most similar to the modern-day nigiri style sushi. However, fresh fish was not eaten until the development of refrigeration which allowed chefs to stop curing their fish and begin to explore alternative types of fish like salmon and tuna. Today there are over 100 different varieties of sushi enjoyed globally.

Discover the Art of Sushi and Foster Cultural Connection

Sushi: a culinary masterpiece with a rich history steeped in tradition. As an AAPI woman-owned small business, Kits by Food Craft is passionate about sharing this cultural gem with you. Engage your remote team with our vegetarian sushi rolling workshop. Learn the art of Hosomaki, explore Japanese flavors, and master rolling techniques. Each DIY kit includes shiitake, miso soup, & more. Enjoy interactive discussions & photo ops,  and a day of fostering team connection through a unique, hands-on experience.

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As an AAPI woman-owned small business, Kits by Food Craft is passionate about promoting cultural awareness and diversity through food, drink, and craft experiences. We believe that shared experiences bring people together, making workplace celebrations more meaningful and inclusive. Learn more about our story here.

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