UMÉSHU Plum Wine

Jun 8, 2021 | Recipes, Summer

梅酒づくり Uméshu-Zukuri

In Japan, early June is the time for UMÉ SHIGOTO (plum work), transforming the harvest of not-yet-fully-ripe fruit into a sweet liqueur (uméshu)  and/or sour, lip-puckering salt-cured uméboshi.

If you are able to source green, not-fully-ripe Japanese umé plums it is fairly simple to make a luscious liqueur from them. In addition to the fruit you’ll need rock sugar (what the Japanese call koori-zatō) and 35 proof shōchū and a glass (or other non-reactive) jar or tub that can be closed tightly. And, you will need PATIENCE.

Patience to carefully remove the stem bits without bruising or puncturing the fruit… patience to carefully wipe each plum with a clean cloth soaked in shōchū… patience to not stir the contents of the jar as you wait for the rock sugar to melt and the mixture to ferment. It will take about 3 or 4 months for the magic transformation from fruit to fruity-rich uméshu.

DOWNLOAD a guide to making UMÉSHU Plum Wine

Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg Custards)

Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg Custards)

Silky, savory egg custards called CHAWAN MUSHI 茶碗蒸し are served in cups with a spoon. The egg and dashi mixture is delicately seasoned with mirin and light-colored soy sauce. Various tidbits such as mushrooms, ginko nuts, chicken, shrimp or kamaboko (fish sausage) can...

Autumnal Culinary Pleasure: SANMA

Autumnal Culinary Pleasure: SANMA

The Japanese speak of aki no mikaku (autumnal eating pleasures). Of the many foods placed in that category, a slender, sleek, and steely-colored fish called sanma (Pacific saury; Cololabis saira 秋刀魚) has always been considered shomin no aji, or "food for the masses."...

Eat to Beat the Heat

Eat to Beat the Heat

  The Japanese have long believed that foods beginning with the syllable “U" (written” う in hiragana), have special beat-the-heat properties. Most famous is UNAGI (eel, rich in vitamin B1) known as an antidote for summertime lethargy. The current custom of eating...

MA-GO-WA-YA-SA-SHI-I

MA-GO-WA-YA-SA-SHI-I

  MA-GO-WA-YA-SA-SHI-I(Grandchildren are kind) This acronym helps speakers of Japanese remember the names of food groups that support a healthy diet. Each of the seven sounds represents a food group, while the total spells out a lovely adage (lauding the kindness of...

Recent Posts & Projects