Umeshu

Japanese fruit liqueurs are mild alcoholic drinks whose flavour comes from the maceration of fresh, fully ripe fruit in alcohol. Unlike the notion of "liqueur" often associated in Europe with strong, distilled spirits, Japanese liqueurs typically have an alcohol content of less than 20%.

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

With over 13 centuries of expertise, Umeshu is a Japanese plum liqueur (ume) that is now making its mark in France. The plums are then transported to the Kura (brewery in Japanese) to be processed. The stem, as well as the remaining calyx, are removed by hand. The plums are then washed.

They are immersed in 28% vol. Sugar cane alcohol to which sugar crystals are added. This maceration takes place over the 10 warmest months. The preparation is then drawn off, without pressing the plums, simply by gravity so as not to crush the stone. The alcohol is then aged in a vat for a further 14 months.

Umeshu is a traditional Japanese alcoholic drink made from Japanese plums called "ume", and distilled alcohol. They are left to macerate for several months, creating a sweet and fruity drink.

Umeshu is one of Japan's traditional alcoholic drinks, with an alcohol content ranging from 12 to 25%.

Already prized by the finest restaurants, this drink, sometimes called Japanese plum wine, stands out for its unique flavours combining sweetness, acidity, freshness and smoothness. Umeshu is ideal as an aperitif, with ice cubes or accompanied by still or sparkling water. Umeshu is excellent in cocktails and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.

The plums used in umeshu are hand-picked when slightly underripe, in order to preserve all the freshness of the fruit.

Our Umeshu producers craft their product in accordance with tradition and master the ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation.

Our Umeshu from Ishikawa Prefecture are excellent and will pair very well with aperitifs, slow-cooked dishes, cheeses, desserts... With its sweet, fruity and slightly tangy flavours, umeshu can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail. The different varieties of plums also influence the taste: green plums bring more acidic notes, while ripe plums offer a sweeter and fruitier flavour.