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Health Benefits
Sushi uses simple, healthful ingredients—rice, seaweed, fish, and vegetables, and it is low in fat and calories, so it’s a great choice for those watching their weight or worried about their cholesterol. Those watching their salt intake should go easy on the seaweed (nori) wrapped varieties and the soy sauce.
The bite-sized pieces encourage the diner to eat slowly and savour the meal. A typical serving of sushi would consist of a variety of 10 pieces of nigiri and thin rolls, which would contain about 450 calories. As a general rule, nigiri ranges in calories from 40 to 100, with about 30 calories from the rice and the remaining from the various types of fish or topping. Two pieces of thin roll are about equal to one piece of nigiri, and thick rolls vary considerably depending on their ingredients. One of the most popular, California roll, which contains fish and avocado, has about 40 calories per piece.
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 HISTORY OF SUSHI
Sushi had its beginnings in the 7th century when Southeast Asians introduced the technique of pickling. The Japanese adapted this method when packing rice and fish. As the fish fermented, the rice produced lactic acid, which in turn caused the fish to be pickled. After many improvements throughout the centuries, sushi has developed into a unique, healthful food, and its popularity continues to grow.
Once considered an esoteric dish, sushi has gone mainstream in North American restaurants and homes. And no wonder. This beautiful food is both delicious and nutritious.
Technically, the word sushi refers to vinegared rice, but the word is commonly used to describe a variety of finger-sized foods that include raw fish on a bed of rice (nigiri), or rice and seaweed rolls, both thin and larger sizes, with fish and/or vegetables (maki). These foods can be eaten as is, or dipped into shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) before eating. Much care and attention is put into the creation of these beautiful foods.
GENERAL SUSHI
What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
Sushi always has vinegared rice in the mix, whether it be nigiri sushi, maki sushi, chirashi sushi, oshi sushi, or any other type of sushi. Sashimi does not have rice; it is raw fish and seafood alone. In addition, sushi and sashimi are sliced differently and often use different parts of the fish altogether.
EATING SUSHI
What should a beginner sushi eater order?
In Canada, some of the more popular sushi pickin's are unagi (eel), sake (salmon), toro (tuna), ebi (shrimp) nigiri. For individuals who don't like raw seafood, eel and shrimp nigiri are always cooked, although beginners should take note that shrimp nigiri usually has a dab of wasabi on it. Sushi rolls generally contain a lot of cooked ingredients, but even the rolls with raw seafood are a good place to start for beginners, since the flavors of raw seafood are often overpowered by the sushi rolls' other ingredients.
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