Foodies across the world are always excited to try new dishes, especially Gen Z. First, matcha was trending, and now it’s Japanese favourite, sushi. Usually eaten with chopsticks and made with rice, this dish has become a go-to for many. But did you know sushi was originally eaten with hands in Japan, not chopsticks? Scroll down to know more!
How To Eat Sushi?
Japan has always been a country with the etiquettes and so eating something with their hands was very rare. It’s been said that sushi became famous during the Edo period (between 1601 or 1603 to 1868) and they were almost four to five bigger in size to which they are in present. That means it was basically impossible to eat them with the chopsticks as it can hold small bits. You can say that the sushi in Edo period was almost size of a tennis bowl.
So, people started eating sushi with their hands. It was like a street food during this time. It is now we see them in the restaurants. However, when sushi moved to indoor restaurants it was difficult to eat such big portions with drinks as it would instantly make them full, and so now they are cut into small pieces.
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History Of Sushi
How sushi came into existence revolves around various stories. According to SUNY Canton reports, one story talks about an old woman who wanted to protect her rice from thieves. Back in the day, rice was so valuable in Japan that people even used it as money. So, she hid her rice pots in osprey nests to keep them safe.
When she came back to collect it, something surprising had happened. The rice had fermented, and bits of fish had fallen into it from the birds. Instead of throwing it away, she tasted it, and realised it actually kept the fish from spoiling and tasted good.
One story goes beyond Japan. It is believed that people near the Mekong River in Southeast Asia needed a way to preserve fish in hot and humid weather. So, they packed fish with salted rice. Over time, the rice and fish fermented together, which helped keep the fish fresh for longer.
This method of preserving food through fermentation was common in many cultures. Some experts also believe this technique began in Southern China and later reached Japan. From there, it slowly evolved into the sushi we know today.
How do you like to eat sushi? Tell us in the comments below!
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FAQs
How sushi was eaten in previous times?
In earlier times, people in Japan used to eat with their hands.