AFP
Two people have died in Japan and several are in a critical condition after choking on traditional rice cakes as part of the new year celebrations.
They may seem harmless, but each year the hard-to-eat snack claims several lives, prompting annual warnings from officials.
What is a mochi?
The cakes, known as mochi, are cute round buns made of soft and chewy rice.
The rice is first steamed and then pounded and mashed.
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The resulting sticky rice mass is then formed into the final mochi shape and baked or boiled.
Families traditionally celebrate New Year by cooking a vegetable broth in which they heat the mochi.
How do they kill?
The buns are chewy and sticky. Given they are far bigger than bite-sized, they need to be laboriously chewed before swallowing.
Anyone who can't chew properly - like children, or the elderly - will be likely to find them hard to eat.
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If not chewed but simply swallowed, the sticky mochi gets stuck in the throat - and can lead to suffocation.
According to Japanese media, 90% of those rushed to hospital from choking on their new year's dish are people aged 65 or older.
What's a safe way to eat them?
Chew, chew, chew. If that's not possible, the rice cakes need to be cut into smaller pieces.
Each year, authorities issue public warnings in the run-up to the new year festivities advising that people - especially the very young and elderly - should only eat mochi cut down to smaller little chunks.
Yet despite the warnings, each year there continue to be deaths linked to the dish.
At the turn of 2014 to 2015, the number of casualties peaked at nine. In 2016 it was one, while last year two people died.
Each year, many more end up in critical condition in hospitals across the country.
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As a seasoned culinary expert and enthusiast with a deep understanding of diverse gastronomic traditions, I bring forth my extensive knowledge to shed light on the intriguing yet perilous world of mochi, a traditional Japanese delicacy. My expertise in the culinary domain spans various cultures, and I have delved into the nuances of unique dishes, including the intricate details surrounding the preparation and consumption of mochi.
The recent news highlighting the unfortunate incidents in Japan concerning mochi consumption during New Year celebrations resonates with my profound knowledge of this delectable but potentially hazardous treat. Mochi, seemingly harmless round rice cakes, is a staple in Japanese celebrations, particularly during the onset of the new year. The process of crafting these delectable delights involves steaming and pounding rice, resulting in a sticky mass that is then meticulously shaped and either baked or boiled.
The peril lies in the chewy and sticky nature of mochi, which, due to its size, requires thorough chewing before swallowing. The danger becomes apparent for individuals who face challenges in chewing, such as children and the elderly. Ingesting mochi without proper mastication can lead to a life-threatening situation, as the sticky substance may become lodged in the throat, causing suffocation.
The statistics provided in the article underscore the severity of the issue, with reports indicating that a significant proportion of those rushed to the hospital due to choking incidents are individuals aged 65 or older. Despite annual warnings from authorities, cautioning against the potential dangers of consuming uncut mochi, fatalities and critical conditions persist each year.
The recommended safe approach to enjoying mochi involves relentless chewing. However, for those unable to do so, especially the very young and elderly, cutting the rice cakes into smaller, more manageable pieces becomes imperative. The annual public warnings issued by authorities emphasize this crucial aspect, urging individuals to exercise caution during the new year festivities.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of culinary traditions, combined with an understanding of the specific challenges posed by mochi consumption, enables me to elucidate the complexities surrounding this seemingly innocuous yet potentially perilous Japanese delicacy.
