Umeshu

The ancient origin of umeshu, a plum liquor full of history

Japanese liquors

Japanese fruit liqueurs are soft alcoholic beverages, whose flavour comes from maceration of fresh fruit at full maturity in alcohol. In contrast to the notion of "liqueur" often associated in Europe with strong and distilled spirits, Japanese liqueurs generally have a alcohol level of less than 20%.

Among the most commonly used fruits are the ume (Japanese plum), the yuzu (Japanese vegetable) and the mikan (Japanese mandarin). Other perfumes such as strawberry (chichigo), lemon, white peach (momo) or Japanese apricot (anzu) are also appreciated. There are also more original liqueurs, made from cherry blossoms (sakura) or matcha green tea.

The unthinkable Japanese plum liquor

With more than 13 centuries of know-how, the Umeshu is aplum liquorJapanese (um) who today imposes himself in Hexagon. They are then transported to the Kura (Japanese brewery) for treatment. The peduncle and the rest of the calyx are removed by hand. The plums are then washed.

They are immersed in 28% vol. sugar cane alcohol. to which are added crystals ofsugar. This maceration will be carried out during the warmest 10 months. The preparation is then removed, without pressing plums, simply by gravity in order not to crush the kernel. Alcohol is then aged in a tank for an additional 14 months.

A unique taste between sweetness and acidity

Theumeshuis aJapanese alcoholic beveragetraditional made from Japanese plums called "umeand distilled alcohol. They are macerated for several months, creating a sweet and fruity drink.

Umeshu is one of the traditional alcoholic beverages in Japan with a degree of alcohol ranging from 12 to 25%.

Already popular with the biggest restaurants, this drink, sometimes calledJapanese plum alcohol, is distinguished by its unique flavors combining sweetness, acidity, freshness and creaminess. The Umeshu is ideal for aperitif, with ice cubes or with flat or gaseous water. The Umeshu is excellent in cocktail and can be tasted as an aperitif or digestive.

The plums of theumeshu are picked by hand, under maturity in order to keep all the freshness of the fruit.

Buy an authentic and traditional umeshu from Nishikidôri

Our producers in Umeshu produce with respect for traditions and master the ancestral know-how transmitted from generation to generation.

Our Umeshu of Ishikawa Prefecture are excellent and will accompany very well your aperitifs, simmered dishes, cheeses, desserts... With its sweet, fruity, and slightly acidic flavours, umeshu is tasted pure, on ice, or as a cocktail. The different plum varieties also influence the taste: green plums bring more acidic notes, while ripe plums offer a softer and more fruity flavour.