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Mochi is a traditional Japanese dessert that is made from pounded rice. It is often served with red bean paste, but can also be enjoyed with other sweet fillings or toppings. Mochi can be frozen for later use, but it needs to be stored properly to maintain its quality.

How to store Mochi to prevent from getting hard

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While most people enjoy mochi fresh, some like to save it for later. If you're one of those, here's how to store mochi so that it stays fresh and doesn't go bad quickly!

Instructions:

When leaving mochi at room temperature:

  • If you plan to consume your mochi for a day or two, you can store it at room temperature. Ensure the mochi is covered to preserve its softness and kept out of direct sunlight and heat.
  • Covering mochi with plastic wrap or foil is necessary to keep the rice cakes from drying and stale. The airtight wrapping also prevents mochi from absorbing too much moisture, especially if it is humid where you live.

Keeping mochi in the fridge:

  • Wrap mochi tightly in cling film and seal them in an airtight container.
    This way, mochi can be stored for a maximum of seven days. But remember, the longer you keep it, the more it will dry out and lose its freshness. 

How to store mochi in the freezer:

  •  Sprinkle cornstarch or potato starch on the rice cakes.
    Is it necessary to coat mochi in cornstarch or potato starch? The starch creates a barrier between the mochi and its surroundings, thus preventing it from sticking to other objects. Doing this step will reduce the risk of mochi drying out and prevent them from sticking together.
  • Wrap the rice cakes in cling wrap or foil individually.
    Freezer burn occurs when air comes in contact with food, resulting in dehydration. Cling wrap and aluminum foil helps to protect the food from air exposure and keep it fresh. The wrapping helps to maintain moisture and prevents freezer burn.
  •  Flash freeze the mochi. In the meantime, flash-freeze the rice cakes by placing them on a baking tray and freezing them until they are firm and aren’t sticky anymore.
    Flash freezing is a quick process that involves rapidly cooling down the rice cakes to lock in their original flavor and texture. Flash-freezing mochi before storing it in the freezer helps to prevent it from sticking together and allows you to keep multiple rice cakes at once. It also helps preserve mochi’s flavor, texture, and overall quality.
  • Place the mochi in a freezer bag.
    Place the individually wrapped rice cakes, or the zip-top bag of mochi, into a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer.
  • Squeeze out the air from the freezer bag.
    Press the air from the starch-coated mochi and place it in a zip-top bag. Squeezing or pushing out the air is crucial because air contains moisture and will eventually condensate upon the mochi’s surface, creating a freezer burn.
  • Label the mochi with the date.
    This helps you determine how long the mochi has been in the freezer and allows you to track the expiration date of the mochi and ensure that it is safe and edible to consume.
  • Remember to check on your mochi.
    Check your mochi regularly to ensure that it doesn’t become freezer burned or stale. If you notice any changes in texture or color, throw the mochi away.

Notes:

How to thaw frozen mochi?

Thawing frozen mochi can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! The key is to thaw the mochi slowly and evenly. Here are a few ways to do it:

1 room temperature method:

Move the frozen mochi to a cool, dry place. Keep it at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete the thawing process. Generally, 30 minutes is the best. Ensure you don’t leave the mochi out too long when you take it out from the freezer.

2 microwave method:

If you are in a hurry and need mochi quickly, using a microwave is a great way to thaw frozen mochi. Place the mochi on a plate lined with paper towels and heat it for 10-second bursts at medium power until it is completely thawed. Be careful not to overheat them, as mochi can become gummy and sticky if heated for too long.

3 refrigerator method:

The refrigerator method is ideal if you are looking for a more convenient way to thaw frozen mochi. Taking this approach will allow you to slowly and evenly thaw your mochi and ensure that it is perfect when you take it out! Place the mochi in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator overnight.

Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

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