Mochi is made from glutinous rice, also known as sweet rice or sticky rice. The process of making mochi involves steaming the glutinous rice until it becomes soft and sticky, then pounding it with a large wooden mallet until it becomes a smooth, pliable dough.
The traditional method of making mochi involves soaking the glutinous rice overnight, then steaming it in a special steamer basket. Once the rice is steamed, it is placed on a large, flat surface and pounded with a wooden mallet by a group of people, using a technique called mochitsuki. The pounding process can take several hours, and the mochi is turned and pounded until it becomes a smooth, elastic dough.
The modern method of making mochi involves using a machine called a mochi-making machine, which uses a high-speed process to pound the rice. The machine can produce mochi in a fraction of the time it takes to make it by hand.
Once the mochi dough is made, it can be shaped into different forms, such as small balls, cakes, or even filled with sweet or savory fillings. Mochi is often eaten as a sweet treat, but it can also be used in savory dishes such as soups or grilled as an appetizer.