Wasabi

Wasabi is a spicy condiment often used in Japanese cuisine, particularly with sushi and sashimi. It is derived from the root of the Wasabia japonica plant, which is part of the Brassicaceae family, similar to mustard and horseradish. Genuine wasabi has a bright green color and a distinct, sharp flavor that provides a warming sensation in the nose rather than a burning heat in the mouth. Due to its rarity and high cost, many commercially available wasabi products are actually made from horseradish, mustard, and food coloring, rather than authentic wasabi root.