2.2 Makizushi

Makisushi rolls Rolling maki

Makizushi (lit. rolled sushi).A cylindrical piece, formed with the help of a bamboo mat,called a makisu.Makizushi is generally wrapped in nori,but can occasionally be found wrapped in a thin omelette,soy paper,cucumber or parsley.Makizushi is usually cut into six or eight pieces,which constitutes a single roll order.Bellow are some common types of makizushi,but many oders kinds exist.

• Futomaki (lit. large or fat rolls).A large cylindrical piece,with nori on the outside.A typical futomaki is three or four centimeters(1.5 in.) in diameter.They are often made with two or three fillings that are chosen for their complementary tastes and colors.During the Setsubun festival,it is traditional in Kansai to eat uncut futomaki in its cylindrical form.Futomaki is generally vegetarian,but may include toppings such as tiny fish eggs.
• Hosomaki (lit. thin rolls).A small cylindrical piece,with the nori on the outside.A typical hosomaki has a diameter of about two centimeters(0.75 in.).They generally contain only one filling,often tuna,cucumber,kampyo,thinly sliced carrots or,more recently,avocado.
• Kappamaki. A kind of Hosomaki filled with cucumber,is name after the Japanese legendary water imp fond of cucumbers called the kappa.Traditionally,kappamaki is consumed to clear the palate between eating raw fish and other kinds of food,so that the flavors of the fish are distinct from the tastes of other foods.
• Tekkamaki.Is a kind of Hosomaki filled with raw tuna.Although some believe that the name "Tekka",meaning "red hot iron",alludes to the color of the tuna,it actually originated as a quick snack to eat in gambling dens called "Tekkaba",much like the sandwich.
• Negitoromaki. Is a kind of Hosomaki filled with scallion and chopped tuna.Fatty tuna is often used in this style.
• Tsunamayomaki. Is a kind of Hosomaki filled with canned tuna tossed with mayonnaise.
• Temaki (lit. hand rolls).A large cone-shaped piece of nori on the outside and the ingredients spilling out the wide end.A typical Temaki is about ten centimeters(4 in.) long,and is eaten with fingers because it is too awkward to pick it up with chopsticks.For optimal taste and texture,Temaki must be eaten quickly after being made because the nori cone soon absorbs moisture from the filling and loses its crispness and becomes somewhat difficult to bite.
• Uramaki (lit. inside-out rolls).A medium-sized cylindrical piece,with two or more fillings.Uramaki differs from other maki because the rice is on the outside and the nori inside.The filling is in the center surrounded by nori,the layer of rice and a outer coating of some other ingredients such as roe or toasted sesame seeds.It can be made with different fillings such as tuna,crab meat,avocado,mayonnaise,cucumber and carrots.