福島県·郷土料理
Tochimochi
This is a simple, rustic mochi passed down through the mountain villages of Aizu, made by pounding processed horse chestnut seeds together with glutinous rice. Its charm lies in its subtle bitterness and unique, deep flavor. Horse chestnut seeds are a blessing from the mountains that have been eaten since the Jomon period. In mountainous areas where flat land was scarce and rice was precious, it is said that people began mixing horse chestnut seeds with glutinous rice to increase volume, making it a vital food source even during famines. The process of removing the bitterness (aku-nuki) requires over half a month of work and skilled technique; the flavor is determined by the quality of the ash and precise temperature control, making it an extremely labor-intensive task. Every bite conveys the lifestyle of Aizu, a culture that has always been grateful for the blessings of the mountains. Please enjoy the gentle sweetness hidden behind the subtle bitterness.
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