Just like a food enthusiast, who is always ready to try his hands on various cuisines, are you too planning for delectable Japanese dish mochi? Seems something is stopping you. Is it because you too think if mochi is gluten free or not? Rest assured; you are at the right place, my dear friend. I will provide you with a thorough analysis that will help you determine if mochi is indeed gluten free. Stay with me till the end and you will be able to overcome this hurdle with ease.
Firstly, let us walk through the rich culture and popularity of the Japanese delicacy known as mochi. After that, we will look at the concern and get clarification on the dilemma.
Also Read: Win Win Food Delicious Healthy Eating For No Fuss Lovers
What is Mochi?
Mochi is a type of rice cake. It has its traditional roots in Japan.
In olden times, mochi-making was a cultural event involving members of the family or the local community.
Commonly served as a dessert, mochi is popular for its soft, sticky, gentle elasticity, and high moisture content.
The main raw material to make mochi is Japanese sweet glutinous rice flour.
Water, sugar, and cornstarch are the other ingredients that prevent sticking.
Mochi is prepared by pounding rice into a paste and giving it the desired form.
The global popularity of mochi has led the makers to create a wide range of flavors.
Some popular flavors that can be tried include Matcha, Chocolate, Vanilla, Mango, Strawberry, Grapes, Red Bean, Sesame, Peanut, and Milk, to name a few.
Well, now I am tempted to try one or a few of these flavors.
Is this the same with you also?
But the big question remains: ‘Is mochi gluten free?’
Stay with me as I have covered all that in the next section.
Understanding Gluten and Gluten Sensitivity
To prepare you for the ‘big’ question, it is important to understand gluten and how it affects you.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat.
When you wash the dough, made using water and wheat flour, with extra water it removes the starch and other things.
What remains after the washing is known as gluten.
Gluten is a stretchy and rubbery substance mostly made of protein.
Remember, gluten is unique to wheat, you will not find it in other grains such as rice or corn.
Other grains which contain gluten include rye, barley, and triticale.
Foods made from wheat have higher amounts of gluten in them.
Understanding Gluten Sensitivity
Is gluten harmful to everyone?
No, not necessarily.
Gluten is a natural protein in various grains, you don’t need to avoid it if you are not sensitive to it.
However, there are certain conditions which warrant to avoid gluten-containing food:
- · Celiac disease;
- · Non-Celiac gluten sensitivity;
- · Wheat allergy;
- · Gluten ataxia;
- · Dermatitis herpetiformis
Is Mochi Gluten Free?
Does mochi contain gluten?
The fact is that mochi doesn’t have gluten because it is made using rice flour.
Mochiko, also known as sweet rice flour, is a type of flour made from glutinous rice and is used to make mochi.
Simply put, regular rice flour is not suitable for making mochi.
So, what exactly is confusing?
It appears that “glutinous” is the root of the misunderstanding.
Are you confusing “glutinous” with “gluten”?
It is time to explore some more, my friend.
Is Glutinous Same as Gluten?
Are “glutinous” and “gluten” the same?
According to an article published on the Beyond Celiac website, glutinous rice, despite its name, is gluten-free.
All varieties of rice in their natural form are free from gluten.
The term “glutinous’ refers to the stickiness of the rice and has nothing to do with the gluten present in wheat, rye, or barley.
However, rice may have gluten if grown with crops containing gluten.
Hence, the website recommends being cautious while purchasing rice.
You must check the label or certificate to ensure the rice is gluten-free.
If you experience any allergies after eating mochi, consult your doctor immediately.
Are There Gluten-Containing Ingredients in Mochi?
It is time to check for other ingredients in mochi to see if they contain gluten.
The good news is that the traditional ingredients used in making mochi are gluten-free.
However, some commercially produced varieties or flavors may have gluten-containing ingredients in mochi.
Gluten-Free Mochi Alternative & Tips
The following tips will help you to experiment while making gluten-free mochi:
- · To get the perfect mochi, stick to the traditional base of mochiko which is naturally gluten-free.
- · You can also experiment with gluten-free flours like tapioca, coconut, potato starch, and corn to get a distinct flavored mochi.
- · Alternate traditional sweeteners like sugar or corn syrup with more natural ones like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
- · Mochi can be made more relishing using matcha powder, cocoa powder, or fruit purees.
- · You can get more creative with the mochi fillings by using gluten-free options like sweet red bean paste (anko), fruit preserves, or coconut cream.
- · Always check the labels of store-bought ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
The Takeaway
Mochi is more than a delectable treat in Japan, it has its cultural significance known to bestow upon good health and fortune.
The process of mochi-making is both interesting and straightforward.
The traditional ingredients used in mochi are gluten-free, but those with gluten sensitivity must do thorough label-checking for the gluten-free ingredients.
If you experience any discomfort after eating mochi, seek immediate medical attention.
I trust that the article must have alleviated concerns regarding gluten content in mochi.
Please share your valuable comments; your inputs are highly valued.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered a substitute for an expert’s advice.
Suggested Readings & References
· https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mochi
· https://www.orientalmart.co.uk/blog/best-mochi-flavours
· https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625226/
· https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-gluten
· https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/is-it-gluten-free/rice/
Comments