Sushi, everything you need to know

Sushi: origins, curiosities and rules to enjoy it at its best 🍣

In recent years it has become a must for outings with friends : sushi has fully entered the ranks of the favourite gastronomic rituals, especially among the younger ones. It has not replaced the classic pizza in the pizzeria but among the young people going to eat sushi sushi It's now a ritual here too.

The origins of sushi

The origins of sushi are very uncertain as to the time; it seems that sushi spread around the fourth century when in Southeast Asia , where to preserve fish it was customary to gut it, salt it and wrap it in cooked rice.

Actually sushi literally means “sour” and refers to a wide range of foods prepared with rice even outside of Japan it is often understood as raw fish or as a reference to a narrow category of Japanese foods, such as maki or even nigiri and sashimi.

The sweet, short-grained white rice is washed and cooked using a particular technique and then moistened with rice vinegar in which sugar and salt are dissolved and slightly heated.

Among the most common types of sushi we find : Uramaki, Nigiri, HosoMaki and more.

Rules to follow in a sushi bar

Eating sushi is not just a matter of taste, but also of etiquette . Here are some basic rules to follow in a traditional sushi bar:

– To eat, raise the bowl to mouth height

– Use chopsticks to bring solid foods to you

– Eat ginger with chopsticks, it's a taste not a salad

– Dip only the fish in the soy sauce, not the rice.

– Eat sushi in one bite

– Order only and exclusively food from the chef

– If you really can't do it with chopsticks, use your hands

– Always clean your hands before ordering

The Risks of Raw Fish: What to Know

When we talk about sushi we never forget that we are talking about raw fish and with this also come some important health precautions .

The fundamental advice is to consume it in renowned and reliable places, remembering that, as with any food consumed raw, the levels of food risk tend to grow exponentially.

The most frequent risks are given by the possible presence of microorganisms and bacteria in fish that has not been properly killed. Anisakis infection is one of the most common, followed by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus . Listeria and salmonella close the circle.

What to do to protect yourself from the risks of sushi?

Prefer sea fish , whose flesh is less likely to be infected by parasites and bacteria than freshwater fish. Focus on tuna , this type of fish is unlikely to be infected by parasites, or salmon , which is cheaper, not attacked by parasites, and has much lower levels of mercury.

There are some categories of consumers who are highly advised not to consume raw fish: children, those who already suffer from stomach problems, those who have a weak immune system, pregnant women , the elderly and those who have allergies to certain types of fish.

In conclusion

Sushi is much more than a trend: it is a gastronomic tradition rich in culture and flavor , which is conquering more and more people. All it takes is a little attention to enjoy it in complete safety.

What else to say? Happy sushi everyone!