In July, cafe "Motiko" selling unique Japanese desserts "moči" opened its doors in Vilnius shopping center "G9", and next Monday two more of its branches will be opened - one will operate in "Paupio market". In Užupi, the other - in "Benedikto turgu" in Fabijoniškės.
Mochi are traditional Japanese sweets with an elastic rice dough shell on the outside and vegetable cream inside. These cakes are gluten-free, relatively low-calorie, and suitable for vegans.
When "mochi" began to be made is not exactly clear, but it is assumed that this tradition came to Japan from China before our era, and became extremely popular in the XNUMXth century. Today it is a popular sweet eaten by the Japanese both everyday and during holidays. "Moči" is popular as a gift on the occasion of a wedding, the birth of a baby and celebrating the New Year. The "mochi" produced in different regions of Japan are different - in some cases, they are made only from dough and eaten fresh or dried, in others, the filling is added, but its composition and quantity vary, and the shape and size of the "mochi" themselves may differ. Today, the most popular "moči" is filled with ice cream.
"Mochi" were very common among members of the samurai class, and many emperors also enjoyed eating them. The Japanese associate "mochi" with strength and abundance. There is still a legend in the country about a rich man who treated his "mother" disrespectfully, and even shot at him with a bow, but missed. The "mochi" then changed into a white bird and flew away, and the rich man fell ill the next day, his wealth began to rapidly disappear, and he ended his days in utter poverty.
"These desserts are truly unique. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world. Their texture is unusual and their taste is very good. The shell is elastic, like chewing gum, and the filling resembles a souffle," said Jorūnė Stonienė, the founder of the cafe. According to her, from the mochi with ice cream popular in Japan, "Motiko sweets are a little different - although the filling resembles ice cream, it is not ice cream - when the mochi is kept at room temperature, it does not melt, lose its shape or taste.
"Our "mochi" can be eaten both cold and warm - everyone chooses what is tastier for them. However, for most, the tastiest "moči" is to eat barely thawed. After taking them out of the freezer, we bring them to the customers together with the hourglass - in 10 minutes the dessert is thawed and ready to eat," the interviewer explained the process. Such a ritual is intended not only to best reveal the taste of "mochi", but also to encourage customers to pause and enjoy the peace. "Many are used to the fast pace of life, and do not have time to have a leisurely meal or spend time with loved ones at lunch or dinner. Our philosophy is to inspire people not to rush, to appreciate every moment, because only then can you feel the fullness of life", J. Stonienė is convinced.
Currently, there are 12 flavors of "moči" in the "Motiko" range. True, three more types will soon be added to the assortment (two of them - pannacotta cheese and salty caramels will be non-vegan).
The shell of "Moči" is made from a special type of short-grain rice flour, water and sugar with various additives, such as freeze-dried fruit powder, for color, and the filling - from fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, vegetable milk, cream. No synthetic materials are used to make the desserts.
According to J. Stonienė, Lithuanians "moči" willingly taste. Although the cafe has been operating for a very short time, it already has a number of regular customers. The most popular flavors are mango, matcha, blueberry, pistachio. "The reviews are only the best, many say that this is the tastiest dessert they have ever tasted and promise to come here every day, others are happy that they will have a place to buy a unique sweet gift when they visit from now on," the businesswoman smiled.
Japanese people visiting Vilnius also come to "Motiko" to have a special taste of "moči". "They are surprised that someone so far from their homeland wants to spread their culture." We also get a lot of compliments about the taste", J. Stonienė was happy. Pies can be eaten on the spot or taken home. Frozen "moči" is valid for almost a year. Sweets can also be packed in special gift boxes when purchasing.
Mochi are usually eaten with the hands, although chopsticks can also be eaten. The Japanese usually eat these desserts with various types of green tea - matcha, sencha, kukichi, bancha, etc., tp - with sake, Westerners - with tea, red or white wine, champagne, cocktails suitable for desserts. "We primarily offer them to be tasted with matcha tea, which we have in various flavors - natural, with turmeric, cranberry powder and others. We can make it with selected vegetable milk. We also have homemade lemonades, smoothies with green tea - they also go well with "mochi". And of course, those who want can choose traditional coffee or black tea", said the woman. By the way, from December, "Motiko" will also sell colored latte coffee.
Until now, J. Stonienė, who worked in the field of event organization, was encouraged to start a new business quarantine. I have been fascinated by "Moči" for quite a long time, I dreamed of bringing them to Lithuania, but I still did not find the time. But when the pandemic was declared, I realized that events most likely, it will not be possible to take place for a while, or only very small ones can be organized, so something else needs to be done. At first, we wanted to produce "moči" ourselves, but it turned out that the process is very complicated and expensive, later we discovered "Motiko" - a company founded in Moldova, which has been producing "moči" for seven years," said J. Stonienė. At the beginning of this year, the entrepreneur became the representative of "Motiko" not only in Lithuania, but also in Latvia and in Estonia.
"Motiko" cafes already operate in more than ten countries - in Russia, in Ukraine, in Germany, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Romania, etc. "Our plan is to focus on development in Lithuania this year, and to enter the Latvian and Estonian markets next year. By the way, we plan to open cafes in Lithuania not only in Vilnius, but also in other cities," she said.
Although the future of cafes during the pandemic is just as murky as that of events, J. Stonienė is optimistic. "I won't hide it, I was worried, but if they don't let me work, we'll come up with something, we'll provide take-out desserts, we'll deliver them to the house," she shared her back-up plans. - I was convinced that these desserts would be a novelty that would capture the hearts of many, and I decided to start a business, no matter what. It wasn't easy, I spent many nights working, but I'm glad I didn't hesitate - I'm very satisfied with the result."
"Motiko" products can also be ordered online (www.motikodesserts.lt), but for now they are only available in Vilnius, in addition, several types of "moči" should reach large supermarkets this year, the woman is also actively looking for restaurants and hotels, with with which they could cooperate.
J. Stoniene herself liked the "moči" the first time she tasted it, and now she eats at least one of them every day. "The tastiest for me are mango and pistachio mochi, I enjoy them with black coffee." The husband and children also adore them," she said.
The article was prepared in cooperation with Motiko
