Rice

frozen mochi

Eating frozen rice cakes | The ultimate preserved food born from the wisdom of daily life [Fukushima Prefecture]

focuses on "korimochi," a preserved food that has been eaten throughout Fukushima Prefecture for a long time

Frozen mochi is a food that is eaten fairly widely from the Tohoku to Shinshu regions. However, due to its appearance and hardness, many people may not know how to eat it

In fact, frozen mochi is not only delicious, but also the ultimate preserved food born from a long history and the wisdom of everyday life . If you learn about its background before eating it, you will be even more impressed.

Please learn about the depth of frozen mochi, learn how to eat it, and come to love it

What is Komimochi?

Frozen mochi is a type of preserved food that can be stored for a long period of time using the cold winter weather. It is eaten throughout Fukushima Prefecture, as well as the Tohoku and Shinshu regions

How to freeze mochi is a method that embodies the wisdom of life to survive the harsh winters of the northern regions

First, the mochi is made. Rice, especially broken rice that is not suitable for cooking, is ground into powder and mixed with a binder (called "gonboppa" in Fukushima). Gonboppa prevents the mochi from cracking and adds flavor. This bright green mochi is the ingredient for Fukushima's frozen mochi

The mochi is then cut into bite-sized pieces, woven with straw, soaked in water, and exposed to the cold. The mochi dries as it repeatedly freezes and thaws, and after about a month, it becomes rock-hard, hard frozen mochi. Once the moisture has been thoroughly removed, frozen mochi can be enjoyed for about a year

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

What are the origins of Komimochi? Learn about the history of its creation

There are various theories about the origins of frozen mochi, but the most popular is that it dates back to the Tenmei and Tenpo famines. The technology to preserve food was essential as a reserve for disasters and emergencies. Frozen mochi, which can be stored for a long time, would have been extremely useful in the old days when food was scarce

Furthermore, frozen mochi was also useful as a portable food that could be easily eaten during busy farm work. Spring is the busy season in the fields and rice paddies. With a lot of physical work, foods that give energy like mochi were welcomed. It is a food that is like the crystallization of wisdom, made in large quantities to prepare for winter

How to eat frozen mochi (basic version)

When you hold frozen mochi in your hand, it's extremely hard. Because of its hardness and appearance, many people don't know how to eat it, and so they probably avoid buying it

First, let's look at the basic ways to eat frozen mochi. The most popular way is to grill it with sweet soy sauce

①Rehydrate the frozen mochi in water

The key to eating frozen mochi is to soak it in water. However, once you have soaked it in water, frozen mochi is actually a very easy ingredient to cook

Soak the frozen mochi in a bowl or container filled with water. This should take about one night. Some mochi will rehydrate faster, but it's best to do it the day before to give yourself plenty of time

② Fry in an oiled frying pan

Heat 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 the mochi with sugar and soy sauce in the frying pan and it's done

3. Delicious when wrapped in seaweed

If you want to add a little extra flair, we recommend wrapping it in seaweed. This gives it a crisp, crunchy seaweed flavor, similar to that of Nori rolls. It's also easy to hold and eat, making it a great choice for children

How to eat frozen mochi (variations)

Once you've mastered the basic way to eat frozen mochi, try experimenting with variations. The process of rehydrating the frozen mochi in water is the same. Feel free to enjoy it however you like

Frozen rice crackers

After soaking the frozen mochi in water, cut it into bite-sized pieces and deep fry it. Once they are crispy, sprinkle with salt and it's done. For a more sophisticated taste, try sprinkling curry powder or shichimi pepper

Frozen rice cake bite-sized donuts

After soaking the frozen mochi in water, it is cut into bite-sized pieces, coated in a batter of melted pancake mix, and then deep-fried. The outside is crispy and the inside is chewy and creamy. Incidentally, Fukushima's soul food, "frozen tempura," is also an adaptation of frozen mochi.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
The once-disappeared flavor is back! The miracle of Fukushima's soul food, "Toten" [Fukushima Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/7206
One of Fukushima's most popular products is "Toten." A hugely popular, satisfying snack, Toten suddenly disappeared from the market in 2019. However, due to the desire of many people for its return, one company attempted to revive the flavor. This article will introduce this miraculous return of Toten. Please read to the end. What is Fukushima Prefecture's soul food, "Toten"? A sweet aroma wafts through the air, accompanied by the delightful sizzling sound of deep-frying. A warm, golden brown, plump "Toten" is handed to you. When you bite into the freshly fried Toten, the first thing you'll notice is the crunchy exterior...
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summary

In this article, we have explained the appeal and history of komomochi, as well as how to eat it

Frozen rice cakes are a preserved food made using the natural environment as a way of surviving the cold northern climate. Cherish food and fill your family's stomachs with delicious food. This is the taste of home, imbued with such a wish

It's a traditional food that's surprisingly easy to eat, as long as you know how to eat it. In addition to the classic sugar and soy sauce grilled version, you can also create your own variations. If you come across it in the souvenir section or online, be sure to buy it and give it a try

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