Kashiwa mochi

Kashiwa Mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet, often consumed during the Children's Day celebrations in May. It is a type of mochi, a rice cake made from glutinous rice, filled with anko, a sweet red bean paste, and wrapped in a kashiwa (oak) leaf.

History

The tradition of eating Kashiwa Mochi on Children's Day dates back to the Edo period. The kashiwa leaf symbolizes the family's wish for their children to continue the family line, as the old leaves of the kashiwa tree do not fall until new leaves have grown.

Preparation

Kashiwa Mochi is made by steaming glutinous rice until it becomes a sticky, elastic dough. This dough is then shaped into a round or oval shape and filled with anko. The filled mochi is then wrapped in a kashiwa leaf, which is not meant to be eaten but adds a subtle flavor to the mochi.

Variations

There are several variations of Kashiwa Mochi across Japan. In some regions, the mochi is filled with a white bean paste instead of the traditional red bean paste. In others, the mochi is flavored with matcha or other ingredients.

See also

• Wagashi
• Japanese cuisine
• Children's Day (Japan)