Cucumber appears as an ingredient in so many different sushi rolls and there certainly is a good reason to it, especially in the summertime!
Delicious with a crunchy taste, fresh as they come, cucumber perfectly matches sushi rice when the temperatures go up! The best thing about Kappa Maki is the fact that this is a simple dish but a very satisfying one. Just like Avo Maki, we have discussed in the previous blog, Kappa Maki is also a children’s favourite. So, parents – you know what to do…
History lesson
The name “Kappa” is thought to refer to the Japanese monster kappa whose favorite food was of course cucumber. If you’re into quick history lesson it is good to know it is commonly believed that the idea of using cucumbers in sushi rolls came about in the Showa era (1926 – 1989).
The origin of nori maki with cucumber is tied to the sushi restaurant “Yahatazushi” in Nishi-Waseda, Tokyo. According to this theory, it was invented by Hiroshi Yasui, the fourth generation of Yahatazushi, which was founded in 1868 and later converted to a sushi restaurant. Yasui spent his days wondering if cucumbers could be used as a sushi ingredient when supplies were scarce and there was a general poverty all around, immediately after the end of the World War 2. After a lot of effort, much trial and error, he finally came up with the idea of rolling cucumbers raw!
It’s light flavour with wasabi was a perfect summer combination and it remained like this up until today.
Mighty ingredients
Kappa Maki consist out of nori seaweed, cucumber and sushi rice. Nori will make your sushi tastier and more enjoyable, but it also has much needed nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Nori contains very high levels of Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E. It is also a good source of Vitamin K, niacin, and folic acid and guess what – it can have 10 times more calcium the milk has.
Cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber. This makes cucumbers ideal for hydration but also healthy weight loss, lowering blood sugar levels and giving your body a much-anticipated antioxidants dose.
Sushi rice will provide a steady source of energy you need throughout your day and it’s fat fee. One serving of white sushi rice has 0 grams of total fat and 38 g of carbs. Sushi rice is an excellent source of B vitamins and these are important because they help the body make energy from the food as well as produce red blood cells.
The good news is. If you’re really hungry and into a bigger meal then try Fukuro Super Mix – 12 pieces of sushi delight with avocado, tuna and salmon alongside cucumber. If you’re only looking for a light summer refreshment, then your Kappa Maki awaits in the sushi heart of Rijeka.
See you!
