What is the difference between Wasabi and Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum)?

In most peoples minds Wasabia japonica and Wasabi are interchangeable.

But, the reality is totally different. It is like comparing chalk to cheese.

The words are similar and yet that is where the similarity ends.

Wasabi is the word used to describe the pungent green paste that really clears out your sinuses when you eat a lot of it in one go. Have a look at videos on the Internet to see the stupidity that some people inflict on themselves and others relating to the consumption of wasabi.

Wasabia japonica is a plant that can be grown in water or in the soil, is green in colour, is shaped like a knobbly carrot and grows on top of the ground.

How does this confusion come about?

After all the word “Wasabi” is now part and parcel of everyday language irrespective of what language or dialect you may speak. Who doesn't know about “Wasabi Peas” for instance?

The fact is that the word Wasabi has now entered the normal vocabulary of entire nations, and the populations understanding of that word is that it is a food condiment, usually used with Japanese food, but now being used as a spice in almost everything.

The acceptance of Wasabi is similar to the way that Pork was introduced to the English by William the Conqueror back in the 11^th Century. As they were French speaking nobles, they used the word “Porc”, which is French for pig to describe some cooked meat dishes. The servants picked this up and started referring to cooked pig as Pork. From these small beginnings pork entered the English language.

A similar thing has happened with Wasabi. Instead of the word coming from the French, this time it came from the Japanese via the Allied soldiers going home after World War II. However, in my view this was not an unintentional language mis-translation, but a deliberate mis-direction, as the plant Wasabia japonica was (is) regarded as a national treasure in Japan and needs to be protected.

Wasabi has been shortened from seiyō wasabi which means Western Wasabi. This is the powder that the Allies brought back from Japan after the war as the new spice they had discovered overseas. The real Wasabia japonica was hidden away in the mountains, far from the eyes of the foreigners.

The seiyō wasabi was (is) exactly what it says. It is dried western horseradish (Armonicia rusticana) that was mixed with dried seaweed to change the colour and make it look different to plain dried horseradish powder.

These days Wasabi powder is still made from Armonicia rusticana, and now it is still not likely to contain any Wasabia japonica but may contain mustard powder, corn starch, various colours and other flavours – such as chilli.

From the man in the streets point of view, it doesn't matter what it is made from. So long as it has the accepted taste and action of Wasabi, namely the nose tingling rush and eye watering ability, then it is regarded as Wasabi no matter what the ingredients are.

Now this is where the Wasabia japonica differs.

Wasabia japonica is a plant that has a large number of species that are grown in a number of places throughout the world.

Each species has a different chemical makeup, although a definitive series of scientific studies have never been undertaken to determine what (if any) these differences might be. 

It has been shown that the Wasabia japonica plant always contains three unique Isothiocyanate compounds. These compounds are listed as;

6-methylthiohexyl isothiocyanate,

7-methylthioheptyl isothiocyanate, and

8-methylthiooctyl isothiocyanate.

It is these unique compounds contained in the Wasabia japonica plant, and in no other that gives this plant amazing health benefits with no side effects.

What does this mean?

It means that using Sawa 100% Freeze Dried Pure Wasabia japonica rhizome powder for any Nutraceutical or Medical use will provide the maximum health benefits for the user.

The rhizome contains the highest level of the 3 unique compounds mentioned above. 

Frequently asked questions