Pop Japan

Mochi making is a traditional part of Japanese culture where participants pound a rice variety by using a wooden mallet. The continuous pounding results in a sticky and elastic mochi ready to be filled by different fillings that range from bean paste to chocolate. 

The fastest mochi maker shown on the internet was Mitsuo Nakatani who have been making Mochi for 23 years. He and his assistant use a large wooden mortar to pound rice (called Mochigome) into a fine consistency. The duo has to pound the sticky rice for two minutes. One person pounds while others use hands for mixing. Mr.Nakatani told the interviewer that he can up to 3 pounds for 1 second.

Their hard labour results in a mochi that is chewy and Oishi (delicious in Japanese). Mochi is not only popular in Japan but also in many countries. Mochi is a round rice cake made from the Mochigome - a short-grain japonica glutinous rice and a number of fillings and flavours such as vanilla, coffee, green tea, and strawberry.

Tags: Japanese Food, japanese tradition, mochi japanese cuisine, japanese food, glutinous rice dishes, japanese dessert