Sushi Recipe Condiments
One thing your sushi recipe may not list is the assumption that you know a large part of the ritual of eating sushi is in its presentation. The sushi chef (itamae) arranges the sushi artfully on the plate. Also vital to both the presentation and the flavor of the meal are the condiments. Those tasty side dishes which accompany the sushi to your table are absolutely necessary to the experience.
Umami is the fifth taste sensation (along with salty, bitter, sour and sweet), and means, roughly, “tasty” or “savory.” It describes the taste of amino acids in things such as meat, mushrooms and cheese. Sushi is a renowned source of umami, and this unique flavor is accentuated by the condiments usually associated with sushi.
Let’s examine each of our condiments in detail!