Caotun Mochi 草屯麻糬

Caotun Mochi (草屯麻糬) belongs to the local rice-food traditions of Caotun (草屯), Nantou (南投). A township tasting event documented both Hokkien (閩南) mochi and Hakka (客家) ciba (粢粑), showing different approaches to the same family of rice sweets.

Rice and nut powders

The Hokkien mochi representative specified aged round-grain glutinous rice, explaining that it gives a springier texture with less moisture. The Hakka representative served traditional ciba dipped in peanut and sesame powders, which add fragrance to the rice.

Teaching local rice-food customs

At the 2014 Straw Craft Culture Festival, the Caotun township office invited food specialists and the local Hakka association brought experienced makers from Zhongyuan Village (中原里). Visitors tasted the sweets and discussed their differences. The event aimed to pass on local rice-food customs and help younger people understand how mochi is made.