Mochi is a popular Japanese treat made of mochiko or sweet rice flour. It’s delightfully chewy and bouncy, perfect for satisfying your cravings for a carb-rich dessert.
If you’re gluten intolerant, you might wonder, is mochi gluten-free?
The good news is, most mochi products are gluten-free because sweet rice flour or glutinous rice flour doesn’t contain gluten despite its name.
This post breaks down the most common ingredients found in mochi, highlights whether this dessert may contain gluten, and recommends some of our favorite gluten-free mochi brands.
What Are the Ingredients in Mochi?
Mochi is a popular dessert that can be enjoyed in many forms, such as ice cream, dumplings, pan-fried buns, and many more.
No matter the form, its main ingredient is mochiko, also known as sweet rice flour or glutinous rice flour. This flour has a high starch content and becomes very sticky when cooked.
To make mochi, the rice flour is mixed with water, sugar, and green tea powder in order to make a smooth paste. The paste is then shaped into balls and filled with different fillings.
Here are a few common ingredients used for fillings:
- Red bean paste
- Sesame paste
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Ice cream
- Cheese
- Meat
Is Mochi Gluten-Free?
Mochi’s main ingredient, glutinous rice flour, doesn’t naturally contain gluten. The word “glutinous” in its name refers to its sticky and glue-like texture and not its gluten content.
Glutinous rice flour is made from a type of rice with a high amount of a starch component called amylopectin, which is the reason behind its sticky texture. On the other hand, gluten is a protein present in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, but isn’t found in rice.
However, some mochi products may contain gluten from its other ingredients. For example, some mochi fillings may have wheat flour, soy sauce, or maltose syrup, all gluten sources.
If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s best to check the label for the ingredients before eating mochi.
3 Favorite Gluten-Free Mochi Brands
If you love mochi, you might wonder which brands are safe to eat. I’ve compiled a list of three mochi ice cream brands that offer a variety of flavors and options and are certified gluten-free.
1. Bubbies
This brand is famous for its mochi ice cream. It offers a wide range of flavors, such as espresso, green tea, mango, and passion fruit.
The brand also has a gluten-free certification on its packaging and website, so you can trust that its products are completely safe.
2. Mochidoki
Mochidoki is a New York City-based brand that serves fresh and delicious gluten-free mochi ice cream.
Some of their popular flavors include black sesame, coconut pandan, and salted caramel.
3. Little Moons
Little Moons is a famous brand among mochi lovers because of its various flavors that cater to different tastes.
Aside from classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, they also offer green tea, mango, coffee, and lychee.
Additionally, they’re vegan and gluten-free certified, so you can enjoy them without guilt.
Conclusion
Mochi is a delicious treat that can satisfy your sweet tooth even if you’re gluten intolerant. It’s made from glutinous rice flour, which doesn’t contain gluten.
However, not all mochi products are gluten-free. That’s why you must always check the labels before buying or eating mochi.
If you’re looking for reliable gluten-free mochi ice cream, we recommend Bubbies, Mochidoki, and Little Moons. These brands are gluten-free certified and have a variety of flavor options to choose from.
