Stephen Welsh

‘Our wasabi flowers have become one of our most important product lines, highly sought after by chefs all over the country. All thanks to that chance conversation with Peter and his enthusiasm and openness to try new things.’

Stephen and Karen Welsh, of Shima Wasabi, have been perfecting the art of growing Japanese wasabi in Tasmania for more than 12 years. This amazing plant is a semiaquatic herb, which evolved in the wild along the edges of high-altitude mountain streams in Japan. Its need for very specific cold-climate conditions makes it one of the world’s most difficult crops to cultivate.