how is mochi made?

mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet made from sticky rice that is pounded and shaped into round or square cakes. It's often eaten as a snack or dessert in Japan, but has become popular all over the world. But how do you make mochi?

The first step in making mochi is to soak glutinous rice overnight. Then the rice is drained and steamed. Once the rice has been cooked, it's put into a mortar and pestle and mashed with a wooden mallet called a kine. The kine is used to pound and knead the mochi until it has a smooth, doughy consistency.

The next step is to roll the dough into thin sheets which are cut into small circles or squares. The mochi pieces can then be filled with various fillings such as sweet bean paste, red bean paste, or even ice cream. To finish off the mochi making process, the pieces are dipped into corn starch to prevent them from sticking together during storage.

Mochi can be served as-is or covered with ingredients like matcha powder, sesame seeds, roasted soybean flour, or brown sugar syrup for added flavor and texture. It can also be grilled on a hot plate called an "makiyakinabe" for an added crunch on the outside.