Sushi anyone? Who would have thought it, sushi and chic in the same sentence? And it looks like it is here to stay.

It seems that everywhere I look, there’s a sushi bar, restaurant, sushi at wedding’s, and it seems to be here to stay. Many more Americans are getting on the sushi craze and college campuses as well. Cafeterias on many major universities are now serving this trendy treat.

Whether using your fingers or eating sushi with chopsticks, you will find that there are many different tastes and textures. The ancient Japanese looked for a way to preserve fish for an extended period and they developed the art of sushi. Today the small bite wonders of sushi are considered a delicacy.

I first experienced sushi in the 70′s when a friend introduced me to California rolls. Those weren’t as bad as I had been afraid they were going to be. On the contrary, I really enjoyed them and still do. But as far back as the early 50′s, just about the time World War II ended, American’s were already eating sushi.

Not only has sushi been on the rise in the U. S., in Japan the American style sushi is on the rise as well. From the late 80′s up to the beginning of the 21st century, sushi establishments have quadrupled or more. That should tell you that the taste of sushi to the palate Americans is continuing to rise.

Several processes are used to prepare the sushi, such as soaking the fish in rice wine, pickling the fish or for tofu, cooked shellfish. But not all sushi contains raw fish. Actually the word sushi means vinegared rice, which is the main ingredient in sushi.

Sushi is served with a greenish paste sauce called Wasabi, which is made with a Japanese horseradish. In addition to soy sauce for dipping sushi can also be served with a pickled ginger sauce which will cleanse the palate between bites. It is also said that it helps in the digestion of the sushi.

As many of us are growing more and more conscious of our health, sushi can be a great source of nutrients. One serving of sushi, which consists of about 6 pieces, will not contain more than 500 calories. Eating sushi provides us with omega 3, fatty acids necessary for a healthy diet, as well as the lean source of protein.

Whether you are already a sushi eater or about to take the plunge, it is always best to ask for a recommendation from the chef about what to order. Typically if you are a 1st time diner, it is best to start with the rolled sushi. If in a big group it is easy to order a variety of things, giving an opportunity for all to be shared.