Difference between Full Plant Wasabia japonica Powder and Rhizome only powder
This was an interesting question that I was asked a while ago by a customer. Apparently they had been approached by a supplier who was trying to sell them Wasabia japonica full plant powder to replace the Rhizome only powder they are currently using.
The suppliers’ argument was that the full plant powder was better than the rhizome only stuff because nothing was left out. Oh, and it was cheaper.
The reality is that this is really a full pot of hogwash.
Think about it logically. If the plant parts apart from the rhizome had the same amount of flavour and medical benefits as the rhizome then why can you buy these parts a lot cheaper (by a factor of 10 – 20 times) on the world market. The answer is – because they do not have the same flavour and medical benefits. It really doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that out – now does it?
So when you decide to buy whole plant powder what are you actually getting?
You get leaves, petioles (stalks), rhizome and feeding roots.
Our experience as a Wasabi Grower of 31 years is that leaves equate to 30%, petioles 35%, rhizome 30% and roots 5% of the whole plant biomass.
Leaves are good for salad greens and have a similar flavour to mustard greens, namely, just a slight taste without being overwhelming. The leaves are great for colouring things bright green, and the powder is almost impossible to get out of your clothes if you spill some on yourself. Its medical benefits are zero, except in topical applications (cosmetics and soaps).
The petioles have virtually no flavour at all and are just used as a filler, except that it does contain a compound that increases the absorption rate of calcium into the bones and can be used for that reason in dietary supplements.
The roots do contain some glucosinolates that benefit the human body, but their strength is approximately 7 – 10% of that found in the rhizome.
The rhizome is the powerhouse of the Wasabia japonica plant and contains in excess of 90% of the flavour and medical benefits. It is for this reason that the use of Wasabia japonica rhizome only should be used in the Nutraceutical and Food industries.
Using whole plant Wasabia japonica powder is a waste of time and money, and is supplied because growers and processors do not want to discard the leaves, petioles and roots as waste. However, this is exactly what these parts of the plant are.
The whole plant powder is not 30% of the price of Rhizome only powder, but is 60% to 80% of the price – so where are the financial savings when you have to use twice as much to get the same flavour or benefits?
To get the best value for money the purchaser should only purchase 100% Pure Wasabia japonica rhizome powder as a little goes a very long way.
Look at the ingredients panel of the product you are buying. If it doesn’t say 100% Pure Wasabia japonica rhizome – then it isn’t, and you are being ripped off.
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