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Warabimochi

Japanese jelly-like confection

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Warabimochi

Darker 100% bracken warabimochi (left) and lighter mixed warabimochi (right), both dusted with kinako soybean flour
Type	Wagashi
Course	snack/dessert
Place of origin	Japan
Main ingredients	Bracken starch, kinako
Variations	sesame
Media: Warabimochi

Warabimochi (蕨餅, warabi-mochi) is a wagashi (Japanese confection) made from warabiko (bracken starch) and covered or dipped in kinako (sweet toasted soybean flour).^[1][2][3] Kuromitsu syrup is sometimes poured on top before serving as an added sweetener.^[4]

Overview[edit]

Warabimochi is a traditional Japanese dessert that is believed that its ancient origins dating back to the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan, and it was a popular delicacy among the aristocracy. It was one of the favorite treats of Emperor Daigo.^[3] Hayashi Razan's『Heishin kikō (Travelogue of 1616) [...], which is considered to be the first travel diary to mention food on the road,』highlighted Warabimochi as did other Tōkaidō travel guides in the 1600s.^[5] The dessert became more widespread during the Edo period (1603-1868) when it was served in tea houses as part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.^[6][7] It is now popular in the summertime, especially in the Kansai region and Okinawa, and it is often sold from trucks, similar to an ice cream truck in Western countries.^[3]

Warabimochi differs from true mochi made from glutinous rice.^[2] Mochi, refers to sticky food generally made with glutinous rice or waxy starch, is categorized into Tsuki-mochi and Kone-mochi. Tsuki-mochi is a rice cake made by pounding steamed glutinous rice. Although Warabimochi is not made from glutinous rice or other waxy starches, it is called "mochi" for its sticky texture.^[8]

Warabimochi is also frequently made with katakuriko (potato starch) instead of bracken starch due to cost and availability.^[9][10] In 2021, Warabi starch sold for JPY 12,000–15,000 (USD 116–145)/kg, and it was 30–35 times more expensive than sweet potato or tapioca starch and 20–24 times more expensive than sago starch.^[8]

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  Kurumi mochi with walnuts
• 
  Warabimochi as sold in a supermarket

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Media related to Warabimochi at Wikimedia Commons
• Warabimochi
• Homemade Warabimochi

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