The Truth About Wasabi Peas
Wasabi peas, or “wasabi mame,” are an extremely popular snack in their native Japan. The Japanese food blog Favy suggests the peas best enjoyed with sake, although they pair nicely with beer, soda, water… and, of course, a box of Kleenex, since that wasabi coating hits you right in the sinuses (sure to power right on through any congestion). Cook’s Info explains that wasabi peas are made from marrowfat peas, which are dried peas at the fully mature stage. These peas are then roasted and coated in oil and wasabi powder (whether real or fake). The blog cautions, “Some brands can be so hot they make your eyes water,” and also notes that it can be difficult to eat too many of these at one time because of the heat.
A columnist with theMirror Online reveals another hidden danger of wasabi peas, which he unwisely chose as a movie snack. He consumed an entire bag of the peas — although painful, they are nevertheless addictive — only to find, to his chagrin, that they’d “destroyed” his taste buds. For days, all other foods to him were “underseasoned and bland and rubbish,” and tasted like wax or sand (at least he avoided the “cardboard” cliché).
Are wasabi peas a healthy snack?
The Snack Girl blog gives a thumbs-up to the peas — although at 130 calories per ounce, they are not exactly a “diet food.” Still, the blogger seemed to think that it would be difficult to eat an entire ounce in one sitting, noting, “Your stomach would probably start to protest after about 10 peas, which is a good thing if you are trying to cut back on snacking.”
According to the Mirror columnist, as well as a contributor to Serious Eats who spoke of her own wasabi pea addiction, it is most certainly possible, and even probable, to go way over that 10 pea (or 1 ounce) limit, so you should be aware that wasabi peas are also high in carbs (24 grams per ounce) and sodium (130 mg per ounce). You will be getting some iron, protein, and vitamins from the peas themselves, though, so at least there’s that — although even peas aren’t as healthy a vegetable as you may think.
What can you do with wasabi peas?
Assuming you have the self-control not to snarf down an entire bag of wasabi peas at once, you may be interested to know that the snack can be used in a variety of reci-PEAS (couldn’t resist the bad pun). Epicurious suggests using them to put the crunch in crunchy wasabi salmon with lime, while Food Network re-purposes the peas for their wasabi pea-crusted chicken. Food 52puts wasabi peas into a snack mix, and Martha Stewartincorporates them into a salad with goat cheese, sugar snap peas, snow peas, and pea shoots (leave it to Martha to use four different types of peas in a single salad). You can even use wasabi peas to make an unusual riff on peanut brittle, thanks toKudos Kitchen by Renée.
Buy our All Natural Wasabi Peas for snacks or to use in one of those recipes.
FAQs
Wasabi peas provide several important nutrients, including protein and fiber, and can be a great addition to a balanced diet. However, they also contain a good amount of calories, and certain varieties may be high in added sugar and sodium. Therefore, it's best to enjoy them in moderation.
Are wasabi peas junk food? ›
In addition to their exceptional flavor, wasabi peas are also a reasonably healthy snack. They provide the consumer with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Is wasabi good for fatty liver? ›
Wasabi derivative 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate, a potent Nrf2 activator, prevents the fatty liver produced by a high-fat diet but did not attenuate hepatic iron overload in mice: Hepatology58:554A-555A, October 2013.
Is wasabi peas real wasabi? ›
Cook's Info explains that wasabi peas are made from marrowfat peas, which are dried peas at the fully mature stage. These peas are then roasted and coated in oil and wasabi powder (whether real or fake).
Are wasabi peas anti-inflammatory? ›
Wasabi is a plant native to Japan. It's mainly grown for its roots, which are ground to make a spice. It's sometimes called Japanese horseradish. Wasabi contains chemicals that may have anticancer effects and anti-inflammatory effects and may also slow blood clotting.
Is it okay to eat wasabi everyday? ›
The wasabi paste served in most restaurants in the Western world contains a high level of sodium relative to its one teaspoon serving size. If you follow a low-sodium diet, you should limit how much wasabi you eat.
Is wasabi bad for prostate? ›
Still, some observational studies note that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables like wasabi may decrease your risk of several types of cancer, such as lung, breast, prostate, and bladder cancer ( 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ).
Are wasabi peas a laxative? ›
Due to their fiber content, wasabi peas move slowly through the digestive system. They help prevent constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer.
Do wasabi peas help with weight loss? ›
In addition to being a protein-rich diet, wasabi snacks also have high dietary fiber. These fibers are excellent in helping you maintain a healthy weight and lower the risk of some cancers. The type of fibers found in peas is known as soluble fibers.
Who should not eat wasabi? ›
But even when one is consuming genuine wasabi, it's not all good news. Zumpano cautions that consuming large amounts of wasabi can irritate one's nose, stomach, or mouth, and increase risk of bleeding or bruising. Therefore, she says one shouldn't eat wasabi if taking blood thinners or within two weeks of any surgery.
Supports heart health: Wasabi can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Aids digestion: The natural chemicals in wasabi can help stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, promoting better digestion and gut health.
Is wasabi good for arthritis? ›
Wasabi Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
For example, by reducing inflammation, the compounds in wasabi can help reduce pain, promote joint health, and may even lower the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions. Sprinkle some wasabi into your diet and see how you feel.
Do wasabi peas have MSG? ›
Ingredients: Green peas, rice flour, corn starch, sugar, salt, palm oil, food additives ( monosodium glutamate I+G. E102. E133, baking powder, ammonium bicarnonate, sodium bicarbonate), wasabi oil.
What country are wasabi peas from? ›
The origins of wasabi peas can be traced back to Japan. They are also known as Japanese horseradish. They grow naturally in the mountain river valleys in Japan. Wasabi was used as a food date in the 8th century, and it gained popularity alongside sushi in English-speaking countries in the 1980s.
Do wasabi peas count as a vegetable? ›
From the pisum sativum plant, the green peas in wasabi peas are part of the legume family. They are housed in pods, grown on vines and have been a staple in many cultures for hundreds of years. They are one of the cheapest and most nutrient-dense veggies around.
Are wasabi peas better than chips? ›
In addition to their unique flavor, wasabi peas have certain nutritional benefits that make them a reasonably healthy snack — especially compared to many other salty, crunchy choices. They provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals, will keep you satiated and add a large amount of flavor to a dish in small amounts.
Are wasabi peas actually horseradish? ›
JFC International and Hapi Foods both sell products called "wasabi peas." Their products -- and almost all other "wasabi" products sold in North America -- are not made with wasabi (wasabia japonica), but are in fact made with horseradish (amoracia rusticana).
