is a
wagashi (Japanese confection) made from
warabiko (bracken starch) and covered or dipped in ''
kinako
''Kinako'' ( or ) is roasted soybean flour, a product commonly used in Japanese cuisine. In English, it is usually called "roasted soy flour". More precisely it is "roasted whole soy flour". Usage of the word ''kinako'' appeared in cookbooks fr ...
'' (
sweet toasted soybean flour).
It differs from true ''
mochi
is a Japanese rice cake made of , a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. In Japan, it is traditionally ma ...
'' made from glutinous rice.
It is popular in the summertime, especially in the
Kansai region
The or the , lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, often also Mie, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. The metropolita ...
and
Okinawa
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
, and often sold from trucks, similar to an
ice cream truck
An ice cream van (British) or ice cream truck (North American) is a commercial vehicle that serves as a mobile retail outlet for ice cream, usually during the spring and summer. Ice cream vans are often seen parked at public events, or near ...
in Western countries.
Warabimochi was one of the favorite treats of
Emperor Daigo
was the 60th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 醍醐天皇 (60)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial.
Ge ...
.
Today, warabimochi is frequently made with
katakuriko (potato starch) instead of bracken starch due to cost and availability.
Kuromitsu syrup is sometimes poured on top before serving as an added sweetener.
File:Kurumi mochi.jpg, ''Kurumi mochi'' with walnuts
File:Warabi mochi 1.jpg, Warabimochi as sold in a supermarket
See also
*
Bracken
Bracken (''Pteridium'') is a genus of large, coarse ferns in the family Dennstaedtiaceae. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs ...
References
External links
*
WarabimochiHomemade Warabimochi
Wagashi
Starch
{{Japan-cuisine-stub