Do Nori seaweed sheets need to be preped so you can roll them?

Question

The nori sheets are brittle, are you supposed to soak them in water?

Answer 1

Nori does not need to be soaked in water.  It may need to be toasted though.

Nori is often pre toasted, when you add the rice it will soften up to roll.  If the nori is not toasted, you will need to toast it over a heat source.  Toasting happens very fast, just take a pair of tongs & pass the nori over a heat source, such as a heat element on a stove or medium flame.  You will notice a rapid color change indicating that the nori has been successfully toasted.

Answer 2

If you are using them to make sushi or roll other moist content then no. When I make sushi I spread the warm rice, leaving about an inch to an inch and a half uncovered at the end for closing the roll, then add other desired ingredients. By the time I'm ready to roll the rice has softened the nori and it is no longer brittle and not soggy either. If you were rolling it independently a spritz of water would do the trick, soaking them makes them loose shape, it is VERY sticky when wet and will ball up.

Happy cooking!

Answer 3

Definitely do not soak the sheets. Also, be careful not to get them wet.

Since you mentioned that the sheets are brittle, they are most likely already pre-roasted. You can use them straight from the package. They will soften with the moisture from the warm rice.