[Aomori Prefecture] Aomori prefecture's soul food? What is Kujira Mochi and Bekomochi?

There are many delicious foods in the Tohoku region, some of which are introduced as ``local gourmet foods,'' and some of which have become nationally popular.

Among them, are you familiar with ``Bekomochi'' and ``Kujira (Kujira) Mochi,'' which are known as Aomori prefecture's soul food?

Even if you know about it, you may think that ``bekomochi'' and ``kujira mochi'' are the same thing.

This time, I will introduce in detail what kind of food each type is.

What are “Kujira Mochi” and “Bekomochi”?

Names such as ``Kujira (kujira) mochi (whale?)'' and ``bekomochi (cow?)'' seem to suggest animals, but what kind of mochi are they?

Kujira (kujira) mochi

"Kujira Mochi" is eaten in Tohoku other than Aomori Prefecture, but the meaning is different when pronounced in each region . It is written in kanji as ``Kujiramochi,'' which means `` May it be a good mochi that you will

``Kujira Mochi'' by ``Itofuku'', whose main store is in Furukawa, Aomori City, is written in hiragana, and although there is currently only one ``Honpo Murakami-ya'' in Ajigasawa-cho, there used to be 4 or 5 mochi shops, and it is written in kanji. It is written as ``whale mochi'' and its name comes from the fact that it has two layers of white and black, resembling a cross section of whale skin.

Outside of Aomori Prefecture, in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture, it "Itofuku" , but there are various theories about the origin of the name . ``Kujiramochi'' (mochi mochi) , and another is that it was once larger than the current one , and that its size was compared to a whale.

are many theories in Yamagata Prefecture alone, such as the theory that it resembles salted whale blubber with skin attached

There are various notations and theories depending on the region, but although there are slight differences in the manufacturing method, basically, glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice powder are kneaded with water, rolled out in a box, and made with muki walnuts and sugar water. It is steamed in a bamboo steamer, and in the past it was also a valuable preserved food, and its chewy texture is irresistible.

Bekomochi

Bekomochi is a beloved local dish from the Shimokita region of Aomori Prefecture, and is said to be commonly eaten during seasonal festivals.

``Bekomochi'' is said to have originated from ``Kujira (Kujira) mochi'', and is a rice cake made from glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice flour, made soft and sweetened with sugar, and originally came in white and black varieties. They used to only have colors, but now many ``bekomochi'' have patterns that look like paintings, and they look very beautiful and like works of art .

However, although Bekomochi is currently evolving day by day while continuing to inherit the tradition, the reality is that there are fewer people making it.

Meanwhile, in Higashidori Village in the Shimokita region of Aomori Prefecture, you can learn how to make bekomochi from a local mother at the "Bekomochi Making Experience", so if you are in the area, you can take this opportunity to learn how to make bekomochi. It might be good.

Although it is unique to Aomori Prefecture, where the living environment varies depending on the region, ``Kujira (Kujira/Kujira) Mochi'' and are loved as soul foods by the people of the Shimokita region .

History of “Kujira Mochi”

From here, we will briefly introduce the history of each local sweet.

As I wrote above, there are various theories about Kujira Mochi (Kujira Mochi), but its history goes back a long way.In the Ajigasawa region of Aomori Prefecture, Kujira Mochi, a Kyoto confectionery, was first created in the Edo period about 300 years ago . It is said that it was transmitted to Yamagata Prefecture and then Aomori Prefecture on board the Kitamaebune

There is a theory that in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture, it was produced as military food during the Edo period, about 300 years ago, during the time of Masatsune Tozawa, the third lord of the Shinjo domain. Doesn't it originate from Shinjo City in the area? It is also said that

History of “Bekomochi”

``Bekomochi'' is an evolution of ``Kujira (kujira) mochi'' which was made in Ajigasawa-cho, Aomori Prefecture and near Asamushi Onsen, Aomori City.

``Bekomochi'' eaten during Boy's Festival , and in the Shimokita region, rice cakes made with precious rice are considered a Hare food . It was named `` because ``beko (beef) mochi'' and white sugar resembles the spotted pattern of a cow

Since mochi is eaten on celebratory occasions, many shapes use the colors of natural foods to create camellia, iris, wisteria, and pine patterns .

If you want to buy ``Kujira (Kujira/Whale Mochi)'' and ``Bekomochi'', this is the place to go.

If you want to eat "Kujira (Kujira/Whale Mochi)" and "Bekomochi" in Aomori Prefecture, this is the place! I'd like to introduce_______

Nagai Kuji Ryo Mochi (Kuji Ryo Mochi)

• Location: 51-5 Asamushi Sakamoto, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-752-3228
• URL: http://www.kujiramochi.jp/index.html
• Business hours: [Main store] 7:00-18:00 [Bypass store] 9:00-17:00
• Closed: 12/31.1/1

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Kikuya Mochi store (Kujiramochi)

• Location: 64-3 Asamushi Hotarutani, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-752-3268
• Business hours: 8:00-17:30
• Closed days: Irregular holidays

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Famous whale mochi Honpo Murakamiya (whale mochi)

• Location: 72 Honmachi, Ajigasawa-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0173-72-3021
• Business hours: 8:00-17:00
• Closed: Open all year round

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Itofuku (whale mochi)

• Location: 1-3-7 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture Festival City AUGA Fresh Market, B1F
• Phone number: 017-773-4933
• URL: https://www.itofuku.jp/
• Business hours: 5:00-17:00 (Mon-Sat) 9:00-13:00 (Sun)

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Sweetsmaker Kanmido (Bekomochi)

• Location: 5-50 Kamikawacho, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-23-7822
• URL: https://www.kanbidou.com/
• Business hours: 10:00-18:30
• Closed: Sunday

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summary

We introduced Aomori Prefecture's soul food, ``Kujira Mochi'' and ``Bekomochi''.

There are many theories about Kujira Mochi (Kujira Mochi), which makes it an indispensable and beloved local confectionery. It will be "Komochi".

Although they are both made in the same way, they look very different, and it is said that ``Bekomochi'' looks like a work of art.

Why not take a short trip to Aomori Prefecture and buy some Kujiramochi and Bekomochi? Of course, you can also purchase it in Aomori city, so please purchase it during your trip.