4mo ago

TIL Why Takeout Sushi Always Comes with Plastic Grass

www.rd.com

Here’s Why Takeout Sushi Always Comes with Plastic Grass

Though plastic sushi grass is a modern development, the idea behind it has been around for centuries. Flowers, leaves, fruits and branches have been used to line vessels in Japanese cuisine for over a millennium, according to Nancy Singleton Hachisu, a James Beard Award–winning food journalist and an expert in authentic Japanese cuisine.

The use of leaves to separate food, however, became common during the Edo period (1603–1864). “Originally, the Kanto region (around Tokyo) used sasanoha [leaves from the bamboo plant], while the Kansai region (around Kyoto) used haran.”

34 comments

It's so you get your daily dose of microplastics, obviously.
- you mean to get your 12th daily dose of microplastics?
  jokes aside, i hate when my sashimi touches the ginger for take-out. the spots denature (is that the correct term in english?) as if it was cooked. i sure wish they used more shredded raddish.
  
  As a native English speaker, I'm not entirely sure if 'denature' is or is not the best word, but I totally understand what you mean.
  And honestly, off the top of my head, I can't even think of a better word, so denature(d) works I guess.
  Still, what's wrong with bamboo leaves or other natural things? Why plastic now?
- Found the Lego connoisseur.
- You're doubling down if you're eating fish.
  
  You ever eat shark or alligator?
  I've had both, even if they're not technically considered as fish. But if it'll just as soon eat you, I'll just as soon eat it, preferably first.
confused European sounds
- Am EU, have seen plastic sushi decor.
  
  Can confirm. You get plastic grass between takeout sushi in all big German cities.
- Never seen atroturf on me sushi either
- Similar idea:
The number one use of kale up until a couple of decades ago was the same exact thing. I learned that at a place where we lined the salad bar with it.
- Pizza Hut was the largest purchaser of Kale.
- I wish Japan would get on board with using plants to separate the sushi instead of plastic. I don't think they have much kale but surely something else would work. Regrettably the wrapping culture is still kind of out of control, and the plastic use reflects that in a lot of ways.
  
  We have people growing kale, but I think a lot of it ends up in green smoothies, a handful of restaurants, and maybe something like animal feed (though not sure on that last one). Something like hakusai or other greens ribs with mild aroma might be a possible substitute, but it could also impact shelf life.
…because hey used to use real plants for separation and decoration, but now they use plastic because enshittification.
Well, yeah.
They are more concerned about aesthetic than the trash it generates...
I hate it
I’ve never seen this in Canada. Is this an American thing?
- Am Canadian, it's definitely a thing here. At least in BC it is.
- We have the plastic grass separators here in Japan.
  LMAO at the downvote. Been here a decade and got grocery store sushi last week, plastic separator included.
- I've only seen it in cheap gas station and grocery store pre-made packages. Never at an actual sushi/sashimi place.
- I’ve seen it from some of the local sushi places here in Southern Ontario. I always thought it had something to do with trying to keep the flavours separate.
Interesting. I've never seen that but I also don't think I ate sushi as take-out until Covid, so I have little experience to draw from.

34 comments