#InternationalSushiDay

The Story Behind International Sushi Day

International Sushi Day falls on June 18th every year, and it has grown from a niche food holiday into a worldwide celebration. The holiday started picking up steam in the early 2010s as sushi went from a specialty cuisine to something you could find at grocery stores, food courts, and gas stations across America.

But sushi itself has a much longer history. The original concept - narezushi - dates back to Southeast Asia around the 2nd century. Fish was packed in fermented rice as a preservation method. The rice was actually thrown away and only the fish was eaten. It took centuries before someone in Japan had the bright idea of eating the rice too.

Types of Sushi Worth Knowing

Most people think sushi means raw fish, but that is only part of the picture. The word "sushi" actually refers to the vinegared rice. Here are the main styles:

• Nigiri - A slice of fish or seafood draped over a hand-pressed mound of rice. This is what many consider the purest form of sushi.
• Maki - The classic roll wrapped in seaweed (nori). Inside-out rolls with rice on the outside are called uramaki and were actually invented in North America.
• Sashimi - Technically not sushi at all since there is no rice. Just beautifully sliced raw fish served on its own.
• Temaki - Hand rolls shaped like ice cream cones. Great for parties because guests can fill their own.
• Chirashi - A bowl of sushi rice topped with an assortment of sashimi. Think of it as a deconstructed sushi bowl.

Making Sushi at Home

You do not need years of training to make decent sushi at home. Start with simple maki rolls. The key is getting the rice right - use short-grain Japanese rice and season it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while it is still warm. Let it cool to room temperature before assembling.

A bamboo rolling mat costs a couple dollars and makes rolling much easier. Wet your hands before handling the rice (it is incredibly sticky), and do not overstuff your rolls. Beginners always pack in too much filling, which makes the roll impossible to close.

Good starter fillings: cucumber, avocado, cream cheese with smoked salmon, or cooked shrimp tempura. You can skip raw fish entirely until you are comfortable with the technique.

Sushi Etiquette Quick Guide

A few things sushi chefs appreciate: dip the fish side into soy sauce, not the rice side (the rice will crumble and soak up too much). Eat nigiri in one bite if you can. Ginger is meant as a palate cleanser between different types - it is not a topping. And if you are sitting at the sushi bar, it is totally fine to eat nigiri with your hands. That is the traditional way.

How to Use #InternationalSushiDay