Mochi

Mochi

　　Mochi is a food made from glutinous rice, quite soft and sticky, and usually appears nearly round in shape.

The outer layer of mochi is primarily made from round glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour, using heated water mixed with wheat starch as a binding agent, so it is generally white. There are also mochi that use food coloring or other ingredients to create variations in color.

The fillings inside mochi are quite diverse, with more common ones including red bean paste, green bean paste, sesame, and taro paste. As such, it is generally considered a dessert, although some shops use savory fillings (such as meat floss) for mochi. Depending on the region and shop, the preparation methods and flavors may vary slightly. Freshly made mochi has the best texture, but it begins to harden after being exposed to air for some time. Handmade mochi is often labeled with a recommended consumption time of the next day at the latest, while machine-made mochi can be preserved for a longer period.