In Japan, Sarashi is widely used in high-class restaurants, sushi restaurants, etc. for multiple purposes. The main reason why it is commonly used is its wide range of use, cleanliness and user-friendliness.
People would love Sarashi once they know how useful it is.
A Simple Answer to the Question “What is Sarashi?”
Sarashi is a cloth made of cotton. As it is 100% cotton made with no artificial coloring or chemicals containing, it can be used for cooking without safety concerns. High-quality Sarashi is slowly decolorized by placing it under sunlight over time, not by using bleaching agents.
Its multiple functionality such as filtering, moisturizing and wiping attributes to the characteristics and moderate fineness of cotton. Sarashi, with its moderate density, is very convenient for various cooking procedures.
Also, cotton has high absorbency and good texture. This is one of the reasons why Sarashi is appropriate for daily use.
How to Use Sarashi
We will show you 3 ways of practical use.
Filtering
Sarashi is useful to filter or squeeze ingredients when making soup stock or fruit juice. Sarashi has good strength, tolerant to various uses.
Moisturizing
Basically, Sarashi is known for high absorbency, but it’s also good for moisturizing when it’s wet and wrung out. For example, if you cover the top of Ohitsu (rice container) with Sarashi, the rice will remain soft and moist. This is often seen in sushi restaurants. Differentiated from plastic wrap, Sarashi can get heat and steam through and prevent rice getting sticky or too moist.
Wiping
With excellent absorbency, Sarashi is good as table duster or kitchen towel. Have you ever got annoyed with wet sink even after wiped with towel? This will never happen with Sarashi.
Also, Sarashi is ideal for wiping washed vegetables as it can wipe off water thoroughly and keep hygiene. It is a common cooking tool especially at sushi restaurants where raw fish are cooked.
Quick to Dry
Being quick to dry is an advantage of Sarashi as it needs washing every time after use.
In Japan, Sarashi has been used in life since ancient times. Most people can’t do without Sarashi once they use it. You would be one of them once you realize its convenience firsthand!