For most of us, sushi tends to be a Marmite-type experience. By that, we refer to the famous yeast extract spread that divides opinion. In short, you either love sushi or you'll never touch it; there's nothing in between. Yet, for sushi lovers, there is a massive attraction and a sense of magnetism toward this type of food. Arguably, it goes well beyond taste, veering into a sensory, even artistic, experience for those who take the plunge.
So, what are the elements that make sushi so unique and attractive as a culinary experience? Let's dive in:
The Sensory Experience
Colors matter in food, perhaps more than you would think. With sushi, you get bright oranges with salmon, ruby reds with tuna, and translucent-like colors with shrimp. These tend to contrast with the white of the rice and the greens (seaweed, cucumber avocado). These colors and vibrancy make the food a popular theme for casual mobile and browser games, such as Sushi Cat and Sushi Bar, as well as top online slots like Hey Sushi. It's the colors that draw you to sushi in the first place, and that means the meal starts before you take a bite.
The Unique Texture
Sushi's "genius" lies in the contrast of its textures as well as the colors. When cooked & prepared properly, you should get a contradiction between the smoothness of the raw fish, the firmness of the rice, and the crunch of your vegetable choice. Such contrasts are replicated in other foods, such as tacos, but few do it quite like sushi.
The Flavor Harmony
As many of the ingredients are raw – although, you should note that it is not always necessary to eat raw sushi – there is often an assumption that having fresh ingredients alone will make for good sushi. Not necessarily. It is a simple, yet complex dish, relying on subtle combinations of flavorings like wasabi, soy sauce, and other ingredients like pickled ginger. Too much of one thing and it can all go wrong. But when it's right, the harmony of complimentary flavors is delectable.
The Culinary Artistry
While we have spoken about color earlier, the clash between hues is only a small part of what makes sushi an artistic experience. Going to a great sushi restaurant will be a showcase of the food as art, with chefs keen to 'plate up' intricate patterns of maki rolls to sit by side the oval shapes of the nigiri. It's edible art.
The Sharing Experience
Sushi is usually presented in a style that promotes the idea of sharing. Yes, some of us will wolf down a box of sushi at our desk on our work lunch break, but when served in a restaurant or at home, it is supposed to be almost ritualistic, sharing with friends and family, taking your time over the food that is not meant to be chomped down before it gets cold.
The Japanese Tradition
One thing that many of us will feel while eating sushi is a connection with Japan. The food is so alien to most Western cultures that you cannot help but think about where it comes from. Of course, it would be a wonderful bucket-list experience to experience eating sushi in Japan, of course, but the traditions of the food have been brought to the West, and it's more accessible than ever before.
The Health Benefits
You can tell by just looking at sushi that it is good for you. It's got lean proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and all the goodness found in raw vegetables. It's packed with nutrients, and it is relatively low in calories, too. However, for balance, we should end by pointing out that not all types of sushi offer positive health benefits. Some sushi may be high in sodium due to the use of soy sauce, and, unfortunately, global pollution means there is a growing risk of the fish containing mercury.
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