Fashion for Japanese cuisine has long swept the whole world. We use rolls, sushi, exotic soups and salads with great pleasure, not particularly delving into the historical background of their appearance, or in their original meaning. Meanwhile, the knowledge of the lexical meaning of the word “sushi” by many fans might surprise. Just because it acquired a modern meaning not so long ago.
Sushi: what is sushi, the meaning and interpretation of the word
The processing method itself in Japan has existed since ancient times. Moreover, not only in the country of the Rising Sun, but also in the nearby Asian states, even if it bore other names. However, the initial lexical meaning of the word “sushi” was reduced to a method of preserving and preserving the seafood, mainly fish. In literal translation, sushi, in fact, means "pickled (or canned) fish." The essence of the technology was that small slices of carcasses were sprinkled (generously!) With salt and boiled rice. This mixture was laid first under oppression, and after a month and a half was closed with a lid. During the aging time, due to lactic acid fermentation, the starting product became canned. It could be safely eat a whole year.
A bit of history
By the way, in traditional Japanese cooking, dishes were originally prepared from just such fish, and the rice that participated in its harvesting was thrown out: it became sticky and acquired an extremely unpleasant smell. It is noteworthy that initially such conservation was invented in South Asia, and came to Japan through China with Thailand about a century in the seventh. And in China, later this technology was completely forgotten.
Closer to the present
The second lexical meaning of the word “sushi” appeared only at the beginning of the XIX century. Tokyo chef Yehei Hanai made a real revolution in cooking by abandoning the preliminary marinating of seafood and starting to lay them raw in dishes. Now the definition of sushi is a “raw fish and rice dish”. However, not all types of sushi necessarily include fish. It can be replaced by seafood, vegetables and cheese. Sometimes a dish includes combinations of all these ingredients.
Despite the fact that the term refers to ambiguous words, “sushi” in the modern world is perceived only as the name of the dish. Probably, even the Japanese themselves do not remember the original meaning of the word. In any case, most of them.
We will understand in terms
Even knowing the lexical meaning of the word "sushi", many people attribute to them all the snacks from Japanese cuisine. Both rolls and sushi are all under one comb (such an attitude to an authentic dish can be seen in restaurants where it is served - almost everywhere). Which often annoys connoisseurs and carriers of culture and Japanese culinary specialists. Meanwhile, remembering the difference is not at all difficult. Sushi is a small lump of rice on top of which a piece of fish, seafood or cheese is placed. Roll is a roll, its shell is algae, and inside are rice and other components of the filling. These dishes differ in the method of preparation. Sushi is molded only by hand, a special bamboo mat is required to roll the rolls . By the way, it is thanks to the wrapping of the variety of rolls many times more than the types of land.
Those curious about Japanese
The lexical meaning of the word “sushi” can also change depending on its spelling - but only hieroglyphic. If we consider sushi as a dish, it is written in one sign and the semantic load is the same, the ancient - pickled fish. However, the word can be written in two hieroglyphs. One of them reads as “su,” the second as “shi”; when pronouncing between the parts of the word, a tiny pause is made. In this case, the meaning of the word changes dramatically. The first part is translated as "longevity", the second implies "management." Together, the Japanese perceive such a spelling as the wish of all a good, long and intelligent life. Nowadays, in many Japanese restaurants, the dish is often indicated in this way. As if its definition in the menu is given and at the same time respect is shown to the visitor.
However, a Westerner is hardly able to notice and appreciate such subtleties. Nevertheless, in self-respecting restaurants, even located far from Japan, the writing of “sushi” with two characters is gaining more and more popularity.