POUNDING RICE CAKE

Mochi is rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain glutinous rice, which is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. Mochi is characterized by its smooth and elastic texture and can cause choking and suffocation if the eater is not careful. Traditionally, it is made in a ceremony called mochitsuki typically at the end of year, which, however, is becoming increasingly scarce nowadays. “Fifteen people in total were sent to emergency hospitals due to choking on mochi.” We hear news like this every year during the New Year’s holiday. It is said that people aged 65 or older account for about 90% of all choking cases. To avoid such tragedy, it is advisable to cut mochi into small pieces especially for the elderly.