[Fukushima Prefecture] Eating frozen mochi | The ultimate preserved food born from wisdom in daily life

will focus on frozen mochi, a preserved food that has been eaten throughout Fukushima Prefecture since ancient times

Frozen mochi is a food that is eaten in a relatively wide range of regions, from the Tohoku region to the Shinshu region. However, many people may not know how to eat it based on its appearance and hardness.

In fact, frozen mochi is not only delicious, but it is also the ultimate preserved food born from a long history and life wisdom . If you eat it after knowing its background, you will be even more impressed.

Please learn the depth of frozen mochi, learn how to eat it, and fall in love with frozen mochi.

What is frozen mochi?

Frozen mochi is a preserved food that takes advantage of the cold winter weather to allow mochi to be stored for a long time. It is eaten throughout Fukushima Prefecture, from the Tohoku region to the Shinshu region.

How do you turn mochi into frozen mochi? This method contains the wisdom of life to survive the harsh northern winters.

First, make mochi. Rice, especially scrap rice that is not suitable for cooking, is ground into powder and mixed with grass (called ``gonboppa'' in Fukushima). Gonboppa prevents the mochi from cracking and acts as a flavoring agent. This bright green mochi is the ingredient for Fukushima's frozen mochi.

The mochi is then cut into appropriate sizes, woven with straw, soaked in water, and then exposed to the cold. The mochi freezes and thaws repeatedly until it dries, and in about a month it becomes a hard frozen mochi. Frozen mochi that has been thoroughly drained of moisture can be eaten deliciously for about a year

Next, let's explore the history of why frozen mochi came to be made.

What are the roots of frozen mochi? Learn about the history that began to be created

There are many theories about the origins of frozen mochi, but the most popular theory is that it dates back to the Tenmei and Tenpo famines. Preserved food techniques were essential for storing food for disasters and emergencies. Frozen mochi, which can be stored for a long time, would have been very useful in the old days when food was scarce.

Frozen mochi also served as a portable meal that could be eaten easily during busy farming hours. Spring is a busy season for fields and rice fields. There was a lot of physical work involved, so foods like mochi that gave you strength were appreciated. It is a food that is like a crystal of wisdom that you make and prepare in large quantities during the winter.

How to eat frozen mochi “Basic version”

When I picked up the frozen mochi, it was really hard. Due to its hardness and appearance, many people are unsure of how to eat it and avoid buying it.

First, we will introduce the basic way to eat frozen mochi. The most popular way to eat it is grilled with sweet soy sauce.

① Rehydrate frozen mochi with water

What is essential when eating frozen mochi is to rehydrate it with water. On the other hand, frozen mochi is a very easy food to prepare as long as you reconstitute it with water.

Soak the frozen mochi in a bowl or container filled with water. It takes approximately one night. There are some mochi that can be returned earlier, but it is better to return them the day before with plenty of time.

② Fry in a frying pan with oil

Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the frozen mochi until browned. You can use salad oil, but you can also use butter or sesame oil for a different flavor. Mix sugar and soy sauce in a frying pan and it's done.

③ Also delicious wrapped in nori seaweed

If you want to go even further, we recommend wrapping it in seaweed. You can enjoy the crispy seaweed flavor similar to Isobe-maki. The key point is that it is easy to hold and eat, making it child-friendly.

How to eat frozen mochi “Arrangement”

Once you have mastered the basic way of eating frozen mochi, please try your hand at arranging it. The process of rehydrating frozen mochi is the same. Feel free to enjoy it as you like.

Frozen rice cake

After rehydrating the frozen mochi with water, cut it into bite-sized pieces and fry them in oil. Once crispy, sprinkle with salt and it's done. For a different taste, sprinkle with curry powder or shichimi for an adult taste.

Frozen mochi bite donut

After rehydrating the frozen mochi with water, cut it into bite-sized pieces, mix them with the pancake mix and then fry them in oil. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. It's a very satisfying snack similar to Fukushima's soul food "Kumiten".

summary

In this article, we talked about the charm and history of frozen mochi, and how to eat it.

Frozen mochi is a preserved food that takes advantage of the natural climate and is a wisdom for surviving in the cold northern countries. Take care of your food and fill your family's stomachs with delicious food. This hometown flavor is made with such wishes.

It is a traditional food that is surprisingly easy to eat once you know how to eat it. In addition to the orthodox sugar and soy sauce grilled food, you can also choose your own customized menu. If you see it at a souvenir corner or online store, be sure to buy it and give it a try.

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