Fun Things to do with Sticky Rice (IMAGE) Washington University in St. Louis Caption Domestication is a two-step process; during the second step "improved" qualities are selected in the crop plant. One example Olsen has studied is the selection of glutinous varieties of rice, called sticky rice, which was actually selection for a mutation in a gene called Waxy. Mochi, shown above, are Japanese rice cakes made by pounding the sticky rice into paste and molding the paste into shapes. Credit Cindy Ellen Russell for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Usage Restrictions Please credit as shown above. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.