Asianometry The Sushi Robots
Sep 21, 2025
In 1982, the sushi robot made waves as it automated the delicate art of sushi-making. The first machine, a rice robot, revolutionized how shari dama was created, achieving an impressive 1,200 rice balls per hour. The journey of the ST-77 highlights the intersection of tradition and technology, including the challenges faced in its design. As automation took hold, competition emerged, leading to rapid market changes and innovative advancements in sushi machinery. A fascinating look at how an ancient craft meets modern engineering!
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Sushi Origin Is Preservation
- Sushi likely began as a fish-preserving technique using rice fermentation called narazushi.
- Scholars infer origins from writings, but archaeological proof is absent so origins remain uncertain.
Fermentation Gave Way To Fast Sushi
- Sushi evolved from long fermentation to vinegared rice to speed preparation and improve taste.
- Nigirizushi emerged in the early 1800s as a fast, popular form credited to Hanaya Yohei.
Rice Is The Technical Heart
- The rice (shari) is the defining technical challenge in nigiri sushi and demands precise temperature and texture.
- A master chef spends years honing a light, airy rice jewel that holds but breaks in the mouth.