eli5: Why do wasabi and horseradish taste like a different “type” of spiciness than chilis?

Question

Wasabi and horseradish hit me in the sinuses, while hot sauce and curries hit the tongue and throat instead. Am I making sense?

Was curious if there’s a reason for that?

In: 7

Answer 1

Commercial wasabi in most western countries IS horseradish. When u get that green stuff from a sushi place it’s not real wasabi; real wasabi is very expensive and hard to cultivate