The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy

Sushi has been our favourite dish since the economic boom in the early 90s, but how much do you know about Sushi? Do you believe that our appetites could change the whole world in cultural, economical and political spheres?

Do you know that:

(1)   sushi was originated from the southeast Asia? (p.63)

(2) sushi, in its original form, was fish preserved with salted rice and when the fish was ready to be eaten, the rice was scraped off and thrown away? (p. 65)

(3) a little over a generation ago, red tuna was worthless in most parts of the world and was used only for pet food? (xii)

(4) with the development of freezer in the 1960s, Japanese boats had forced the opening of fishing waters around the world for bluefin and bigeye? (p.28)

(5) rich and creamy avocado was oddly satisfying as toro substitute as it was not always available in America in the 1960s? (p.90-91)

(6) fish could certainly not be served raw in the 1960s, it was a West Coast movement that advocated health consciousness and an appreciation of natural foods that helped to create an appetite for sushi in America? (p.96-97)

(7) handrolls, the cone-shaped, seaweed-wrapped tolls were uncommon in Japan? (p. 102)

(8) “the Nixon Shock” (the devaluation of dollar after the abolition of the gold standard) meant the cost of importing bluefin tuna into Japan fell by 15 percent overnight and caused Bubble economy? (p.38)

(9) the strong Japanese yen put Japanese companies at a disadvantage in 1985 and well established traditional sushi restaurants began to close? (p.103 – 104)

(10)  the Japanese fish auctions in Tsukiji are the most materially backward institutions among technologically advanced countries? (p.52)

(11)   due to overfishing, ranching the biggest, fastest and toughest fish, tuna, has became one of the biggest challenges of Japanese scientists in the early 2000? (p.202 – 205)

This book tells you how our passion for sushi, in particular for toro, could change our world in unexpected ways.

Issenberg, Sasha. (2008). The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy. NY: Gotham Books.