Sardine(ma-iwashi)
Sardine have two seasonal peaks in flavor coinciding with when they put on fat; first from early spring to summer, and then around late autumn. Cutting reveals a generous layer of white subcutaneous fat, a striking contrast to the fish’s scarlet flesh. In earlier times it usual to firm the flesh with salt and vinegar before using in sushi, but marked improvements in maintaining freshness at the distribution stage now allow consumption of even totally raw iwashi. Removing all the sardine’s plethora of bones make for a new and exciting taste experience, and teamed with ginger, chives and soy sauce, the smell fish are now a big star of summer and autumn sushi menus.