Mochi; a Japanese rice cake made of sticky rice flour (mochigome), is one of the most popular Japanese traditional foods in Japan and it comes in different shapes and flavors.
Though it's often consumed alone, it's also used as an ingredient or topping in many other prepared foods, including wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets), ice cream, and soup.
Today we introduce five interesting mysteries about mochi, so stay tuned!
Mochi can kill you
Although this sounds weird, it is true that mochi kills.
Mochi is so sticky and it can cause choking when you don't chew it well.
Since it has caused a lot of death in Japan, Japanese government issues warning on an annual basis, advising people to cut the mochi into small pieces and chew slowly before swallowing.
Most of the victims are people aged 60 or older, but it's possible for toddlers to die from choking on mochi too, so make sure to cut it into small pieces and chew it before swallowing it completely!
Mochi is not always eaten
Japanese families display Kagami Mochi inside their houses during New Year.
Kagami mochi consists two pieces of round mochi; the smaller placed on top the larger, and a daidai (Japanese bitter orange).
Displaying Kagami mochi is a part of ritual practices in Japan, and usually it's displayed until January 11.
Mochi doesn't expire easily
Although most people prefer to eat fresh mochi, it's preservable.
Mochi can last for several weeks if kept in the fridge, but if you want to enjoy a chewy, soft, and sticky mochi, we recommend eating it fresh.
Mochi and dango are two different things
Although they have similar textures, mochi and dango are two different things.
Mochi is made of sticky rice flour, while dango is made of rice flour.
Mochi is rich in energy
Mochi is rich in energy since it's made of sticky rice flour.
It's also considered as healthy since it's gluten-free and cholesterol-free.
Japanese farmers eat mochi in the winter to boost their stamina before work.
Do you know any other mysteries related to mochi?
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