What Is "Mocchiri"? ― 2010/06/02
Recently I have noticed the word ‘mocchiri’ has gained popularity as an adjective connoting a particular quality of something with affirmative sense.
In fact there are many mocchiri stuff, such as ‘mocchiri’ breads,
‘mocchiri’ noodles, ‘mocchiri’ pillows ,
and ‘motcchiri’ dog foods.
I knew the existence of this word, but was unsure of what it meant. I looked into my Japanese-Japanese dictionary for the definition of ‘mocchiri’, but there was no reference.
So I tried a ‘mocchiri’ food, a bun with sweet fillings (picture above), to see how it feels.
Basically, the bun felt heavier, moister, and smoother in the hand, stickier and resilient on the teeth, and fuller in the stomach than its‘non-mocchiri’ counterparts. If you know a Brazilian bun called Pão de queijo, the texture of mocchiri is like that’s. Or bit like gummy candies.
Then the idea that the word ‘mocchiri’ has derived from rice cake, called ‘mochi’ in Japanese, came to me. At least in terms of food, something ‘mocchiri’ may well have something in common with mochi; elastic, sticky, smooth, chewy (some of you might say it gooey), and filling.
It won’t be the easiest thing for me to put this quality into one English word….
By the way, I wonder if dogs would appreciate dog foods with mocchiri quality, or they could recognise the quality in the first place. How would you reckon?
Orange Lily ― 2010/06/03
Early summer has come with this orange flower.
I shouldn’t have taken the anthers away (in order to make the flower last longer) before photographing the flower.
No-frills ― 2010/06/04
JPY30
You might think confectionaries sold in this country are over-decorated, and their packages are tacky. If so, I totally agree with you. No objection.
Then, how about this?
In a plain white paper bag are top and bottom pieces of chiffon cake.
The rest of the cake would be beautifully decorated and sold at about JPY200 a piece (a eighth of a whole cake). When I found them, as a born enthusiast for end bit of food (in other words, being stingy), I instantly fell in love with these small pieces though in my fridge there were muffins I baked the night before.
The confectionary where I found this is run buy a lady who looks quite snappy. She could be trustworthy for not wasting every bit of her own made cake, which I thought show her love for her products. Or maybe she is a savvy merchant getting profit from every bit.
Anyway, at the cost of just JPY30 with this volume, don’t you thing this could be a good pudding in the time of austerity like now?
Iris Garden ― 2010/06/05
This is an old castle site where the buildings stood until the 19th century.
Now, inside the magnificent stone walls, the land is used as a park, and some excavation works are taking place.
Some areas of the park have been converted into small flower gardens which give feast for the eyes with seasonal flowers.
In this season, the Japanese iris is on the show.
Against the backdrop of old stone walls, the garden might give you an imagination of a samurai walking to you (unless you turn your eyes to the noisy road behind you).
When you visit, please be alerted not to get bitten by mosquitoes. Although you don’t have to worry about malaria (it has long been eradicated in this country), their bites are still itchy and annoying (I say this based on my experience here).
New Donation Box ― 2010/06/07
This machine is of one of the latest model that attempts to boost their sales by appealing to our conscience.
When you buy your refreshments from this machine, you will automatically donate some changes to support local NPO activities. Recipients of the donations include, guide dog training (make a lot of sense-- it could be expensive to train puppies into guide dogs),
child-rearing (I don’t have the slightest idea about how will the money donated for this activity be spent, though. Free nappies?), making ‘greener’ Fukuoka (Absolutely no idea),
The machines declare that ‘a part’ of the sales goes for each activity. But, according to my quick-to-give-up research, this kind of machines don't clearly state how much the ‘a part’ is, and how the donation will be spent. Only Japan Red Cross says in its website that about 5% of the sales will be donated.
Are the other organizations are too shy to state the exact figure, or is there any hidden reason to hide how much they take? Or, is it only blackhearted person who is suspicious about this kind of well-wishing activities?
Recommended by Cat ― 2010/06/08
Is this Natto (fermented soy beans), carrying a lovely cat'sface on its package, for cats, or for human consumption?
Actually, this is for human consumption with the package designed by students of a local design school.
I love cats, but when it comes to food, their appearance doesn't work up my appetite.
Farmer's Drawing ― 2010/06/09
You need to have an aesthetic sense to be a farmer.
Look at the beautifully drawn curves and the gradations of the crops.
His Summer Pavilion ― 2010/06/10
I haven’t seen a dog kept outdoor for quite a long time.
But it doesn’t mean his owner dismisses him.
Actually, his kennel has been altered with an umbrella and bamboo curtains so that he can take shelter in an airy and shady place during long and unbearably hot Fukuokan summer.
But the dog doesn’t seem to realise how much his owner cares about him.
He apparently prefers sunbathing to his summer resort.
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