Journey to the heart of Japan: the secret of preparing traditional mochi in an original style

Mochi is a type of traditional Japanese rice cake that uses glutinous rice called “Mochigome” or “Moshiguma” is prepared. To prepare traditional mochi, they first wash the rice and soak it for several hours; Then the rice is steamed and pounded in large wooden mortars called “uso” until it becomes a sticky and uniform paste. The process of pounding rice requires a lot of effort and coordination and is usually done in a group. The obtained dough is divided into small pieces and made into different shapes like small balls.

Once the mochi dough is ready, it can be filled with various ingredients such as sweet red bean paste (anko), fruits or even ice cream. Mochi is usually served during festivals and special occasions such as the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) and is known as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This delicious and sticky dessert has become very popular all over the world due to its special texture and pleasant taste.

Below we will see a short video of the traditional way of making mochi in one of the most famous mochi shops in Japan.

_{Cover photo source: nioteas.com website; Photographer: Unknown}