Homemade Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)

Ingredients

• 700 g Green Japanese plums (ume) (Remove the stems with a toothpick; rinse and pat completely dry.)
• 700 g Rock salt (The transcript repeatedly identifies this as rock salt. The exact quantity is inferred from the stated “700” ratio and may reflect a transcription error for rock sugar.)
• 1.8 L Shochu (Add enough to cover the plums; the exact volume is unclear in the transcript. Other liquor, such as brandy, may be substituted.)

Steps

1. 1

   Remove the small stem from each green plum using a toothpick. Rinse the plums thoroughly, then pat them completely dry; excess moisture can encourage spoilage during storage.

2. 2

   Sanitize a large sealable glass container or several smaller containers. Allow the containers to dry fully before filling them.

3. 3

   Place approximately one-third of the prepared plums in the container.

4. 4

   Add approximately one-third of the rock salt over the plums.

5. 5

   Repeat the layering process with another third of the plums followed by another third of the rock salt, then add the remaining plums and rock salt.

6. 6

   Pour in the shochu. Use enough to cover the plums, leaving appropriate headspace in the container. The transcript suggests a ratio involving “700,” but the complete measurement is not audible.

7. 7

   Seal the container, label it with the preparation date, and store it in a dark, cool place. The creator stores his in a cool, dark garage.

8. 8

   Begin checking the infusion after about one month. Allowing it to mature longer will develop a deeper flavor, as umeshu improves with time.

Notes

The source says “rock salt,” although traditional umeshu commonly uses rock sugar; this extraction preserves the transcript wording and flags the ambiguity rather than silently changing it. The creator mentions using umeshu in sauces, marinades, desserts, cocktails, over fruit such as persimmons, and in French toast. For food safety, use clean, fully dry fruit and sanitized containers, and discard the infusion if it develops mold, an unpleasant odor, or other signs of spoilage.

Nutrition per serving

• drink
• Japanese
• infused liquor
• make-ahead
• cocktail ingredient
• dessert ingredient
• no-cook