Why Sushi Rolls are Everyone's Favorite

By Kimikoshi Sumo

One of the most popular types of sushi is the sushi roll. There are two primary types of sushi rolls that are sold in restaurants and sushi bars both in Japan and in North America.

Seaweed called nori on outside of sushi is one variety of sushi rolls. The second type has nori inside the roll.

The texture and flavor of sushi rolls change dramatically with the presence of seaweed inside or outside.

Those who enjoy nori often prefer the style of sushi roll where the nori is on the outside of the roll. This style of sushi roll is called futomaki.

A sushi roll with the nori on the inside is called uramaki.

Futomaki is the more popular type of maki sushi roll, as it is considered the more traditional form. When you purchase a sushi roll from a restaurant, at a sushi bar, or even in the grocery store, you will generally see futomaki.

Futomaki is typically vegetarian with non vegetarian toppings, such as fish eggs, on top of the roll. Futomaki is typically cut into pieces, although during some Japanese festivals, the futomaki is served as an entire roll.

Japanese prefer to eat with their fingers, so uramaki is becomes a less popular choice. As uramaki is has a tendency to be sticky and it falls apart under pressure, it is difficult to eat it either with fingers or chopsticks. A uramaki sushi roll, on the other hand, is non-vegetarian in nature and is served with sesame or fish egg toppings.

Since most Americans do not fancy futomaki with its black coating, uramaki is the preferred form of sushi rolls.

Hosomaki is the unsung hero of the sushi roll family. Like futomaki, hosomaki is wrapped with the nori on the outside of the roll.

Hosomaki has four variants known as Kappamaki, Tekkamaki, Negitoromaki and Tsunamayomaki.

Kappamaki that has cucumber as its main ingredient is said to cleanse the palate after eating raw fish dishes and its accompaniments.

Sushi rolls of tekkamaki variety has tuna fish in them, and is named as such.

Tuna and scallions are the main ingredients of Negitoromaki variety of sushi rolls.

The fourth variety of hosomaki, that is Tsunamayomaki, has canned tuna and mayonnaise in it. Such sushi rolls are easy to prepare at home and can be tried by any sushi enthusiast. - 30216

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