There are many interesting Sushi facts that probably people didn't know. Are you fond of dining in a Japanese restaurant just to order Sushi? This popular food from Japan actually did not originated from Japan.
Although Japan is credited for its popularity, it is believed to have started in China. In the second century A.D., the word 'Sushi' was referred to the way Chinese preserves the fish. Fish is wrapped into the sour rice to ferment so that it can last for longer time.
Another Sushi fact that is good to know is that earlier, a Sushi chef (itamae) can only work in a Japanese restaurant after training for ten years. Today, a Sushi chef can start working right after training for two years.
Roughly 80 percent of fresh Bluefin Tuna catch worldwide is made only for Sushi and Sashimi. In Japanese dictionary, 'Sushi' actually means sour rice contrary to the accepted belief that it means raw fish.
The blade of a professional Sushi chef is sharpened everyday like the Samurai. This Sushi fact that people probably didn't know is especially done to prepare sashimi to slice thin, raw fish.
Another interesting Sushi fact is that even fresh Sushi is also frozen first. The United States Food and Drug Administration and European regulatory board requires the fish used for the dish is frozen at certain degrees of temperature first before eaten to kill the parasites. In Japan, Sushi chefs are highly trained to spot fish problems like parasites and fluke to avoid serving them.
In Japan, Japan Agriculture Ministry is the regulatory board that initiates certification system in Japanese restaurants abroad. This is particularly aimed at serving standard Sushi based on Japanese quality. The ministry claims, their aim is to "spread correct Japanese gastronomic culture and improve the reliability of our country's food" in overseas countries.
You want to know the most expensive Sushi fact? The most luxurious Sushi grade Bluefin Tuna costs $396,000 for a 754 pound fish ($526/lb) made on January 4, 2011 at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. It broke the record of the first most expensive Sushi grade Bluefin Tuna prepared with price of $173,600 for a 444 pound fish ($391/lb) on January 5, 2001.
