Kusa mochi

Kusa mochi (草餅, lit. "grass mochi"), also known as kusamochi or yomogi mochi, is a Japanese sweet. It is made from mochi and leaves of yomogi, also known as Japanese mugwort. Because Japanese mugwort is kneaded into the mochi, kusa mochi takes on a vivid green color. The greenness of it depends on the amount of Japanese mugwort blended in the mochi. It is also beneficial as medicinal food.

Kusa mochi
Alternative namesYomogi mochi
TypeWagashi
Place of originJapan
Main ingredientsMochi, yomogi leaf; red bean paste
Food energy
(per serving)
150 (for 50g) kcal

History
Jersey cudweed

The custom to knead Japanese mugwort was transmitted from the Chinese.[1] Documents state that nobles were eating kusa mochi during palace events in the Heian era.[1] It used to be made with Jersey cudweed before the Heian era.[2] However, since the Heian era, people started to make kusa mochi using Japanese mugwort (or yomogi) because of its capability to boost fertility and as medicinal food was discovered.[1] Another purported reason for the change in ingredients was because Jersey cudweed is called Haha-ko-gusa which literally translates to "mother-and-child grass".[3] As kusa mochi was enjoyed with a purpose of wishing for the health and well-being of mother and her children, it was considered ominous to knead jersey cudweed into the mochi.[3]

Since the Edo-era, kusa mochi began to be used as offering for Hinamatsuri (the Girl's Festival).[1] The reason it was chosen as the offering was because of the vivid green color that represents fresh verdure.[1] Another reason why it was chosen as an offering is because of the medicinal power of Japanese mugwort.[4] Japanese mugwort is known for its vitality, which makes it difficult to eradicate.[1] Kusa mochi was used as an offering with a desire of health and longevity.[1]

As medicinal food
Japanese mugwort (also known as yomogi)

The idea of food being fundamentally connected to medication has been present for a long time.[5] The Japanese mugwort, which is the main ingredient of kusa mochi, has a history of at least 2,500 years of medicinal use.[5] In one piece of Japanese ancient literature, it is stated that Japanese mugwort can be used as a hemostatic, a medicine for diarrhea, and for miscarriage prevention, and these uses are still put to practical use today.[5] Japanese mugwort has many active ingredients that are beneficial to the body, such that it is also known as "the queen of herbs".[4] Some of its components are dietary fiber, chlorophyll, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2.[4] Some of its effects are preventing constipation, ameliorating the intestinal environment, and having antioxidant action.[6] Research done in by the Hokkaido Tokachi Area Regional Food Processing Technology Center has claimed that Japanese mugwort is effective in improving blood flow.[6] It is said that it helps expand the blood vessels and thus effective for people with bad circulation.[6]

The Japanese mugwort is a member of the asteraceae plant family, which some people have allergies to.

See also
  • Qingtuan, the original Chinese form of this dish, also consumed during the spring
  • Caozai guo, the Taiwanese form

References
  1. "草餅の特徴・歴史・味 - 和菓子の季節.com". wagashi-season.com. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  2. Ishihara, Masami (2017-03-04). "【和菓子歳時記17】春の季語の1つ「草餅」で、季節の変わり目の厄払い". 家電 Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  3. "草餅を食べる由来と時期！美味しい作り方や驚きの栄養効能とは？". shikitari.net (in Japanese). 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  4. "草餅、その美しい緑に「春が来た！」と感じられる和菓子". 美しい日本の和菓子 (in Japanese). 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  5. Chen, Hanxi (2013). "Medicinal Food of "Kusamochi" and its culture in Japan". NingenKagakuKenkyu. 26: 70. hdl:2065/39333.
  6. Minami, Keiko (2014-03-06). "よもぎ餅からよもぎ蒸しまで！ 女性の健康とよもぎ". [食と健康] All About (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-01-30.
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