Umeboshi Sour fermented plum

Umeboshi – Sour Plum Packed with Flavor

Umeboshi is a fermented plum. The name comes from “Ume” (which is the Japanese plum) and “Boshi” (derived from the word Hosu and means “to dry/hang”).

What does Umeboshi taste like?

Umeboshi is very sour and also very salty, and tastes only slightly sweet. Sometimes it is additionally sweetened with sugar during the drying process. Meanwhile, there is also Umeboshi that only tastes sweet. Personally, I find that very unfortunate, as I really like the sour taste. Umes are very healthy and – especially interesting – have an antibacterial effect. In traditional bentos (lunchboxes), you therefore usually find a Ume plum, which makes the bento last longer – even in the Japanese summer heat and without a refrigerator. This was very important in the past for craftsmen and farmers who were outside all day.

How is Umeboshi made?

The plum is harvested in the green or yellow state. A net is stretched under the plum trees. When the plums then fall from the tree by themselves, they are caught by the net, which is then emptied by the farmers. This keeps the Umes intact and free of scratches, and they don't get dirty either. After harvesting, the plums are washed and salted and then placed in a vat that is sealed airtight. Sometimes red shiso leaves are also filled into the vat, which are responsible for the red coloring of the Umes. After one month, the Umes are taken out of the vat and dried in the air. 

How is Umeboshi eaten?

Umeboshi is very often eaten with rice. A typical Japanese meal looks like this: To your left is a bowl of rice, to your right a bowl of soup, and in front of you is a plate with fish, meat and vegetables. It is surrounded by small side plates, on which the Ume plum is also found, among other things. Umeboshi is usually eaten unprocessed. An exception is Ongiri. These are triangular rice balls that are a popular snack for work and school. Umeboshi is crushed here and mixed into the rice. Umeboshi is also sometimes found in tempura (fried foods), for example in meat tempura.