Wasabi Cultivars
A Japanese Tradition
In Japan a cultivar is usually named after its region of cultivation and, thus, wasabi cultivars are considered regionally specific in Japan. Seventeen wasabi cultivars have been developed and each has a strict cultivation and climate requirement that limits major cultivation to distinct areas (Chadwick et al, 1993).
Cultivars at Mountain View
According to some Japanese farmers wasabi has eight well-known cultivars which are Mazuma, Daruma, Takai, Shimane, Midori, Sanpoo, Izawa Daruma and Medeka. At Mountain View Wasabi we produce Mazuma and Daruma.
Daruma
- Stems are considered to have a more attractive appearance
- Most popular variety known to grow well in marginal conditions
- Especially prized for its green color, size and crisp taste
- Minimal offshoot branching
- Superior export quality stem
Mazuma
- Considered to have more "heat"
- It has more tolerance to high temperature than the Daruma variety
- Green Thumb" is a Taiwanese cultivar
- Large plants with big green leaves and produce many off shoots.
