A delicacy born out of necessity

Many of the dishes that are so popular today were originally created out of necessity. Sushi also began hundreds of years ago in Japan as a method of preserving fish. Salted fish was placed inside cooked rice and then weighted down with stones to create an airtight method of storage. Preserved in this way, the sushi could be kept for between two months and three years. It wasn't until later that people started to eat the rice casing as well as the fish - and the original form of sushi was born. Rolled sushi, which is the most well-known variety, has existed since the 18th century or thereabouts.