Exploring the History of Umeshu
08.30.2024 | Blog
While there are no exact records of when Umeshu was created, or how it became so popular, its story has woven itself into Japanese culture over the centuries. With that, we would like to share the tale of how the beloved Umeshu came to be.
It all Begins with Ume
The story of Umeshu starts with Ume fruit, which is often referred to as plum though they are different. Ume fruits originated in China and made its way to Japan about 2,000 years ago. For those interested in delving deeper into the origins of Ume, we highly recommend reading our blog, What is Ume?.
The First Record of Umeshu
The earliest known record for Umeshu dates back approximately 300 years to the Edo period, found in a Japanese document titled Honbukuro. The document details that Umeshu is made from steeping Ume in alcohol and sugar. However, during that time, sugar was considered a valuable commodity, making Umeshu a luxury and not widely accessible to the common people.
Umeshu Culture Boom
It was during the late Edo period that the culture of making Umeshu became a common practice. Despite its growing popularity, home production of Umeshu was still prohibited due to Japan’s Liquor Tax Law. However, when a revision to the law was made in 1962, a boom in brewing Umeshu, along with other fruit wines occurred leading to the boom that cemented Umeshu’s place in Japanese culture.
CHOYA Values Umeshu History
At CHOYA, we deeply value the history of Umeshu as we are committed to making efforts to shape its future. We believe that it is our mission to protect and spread the tradition and culture of Umeshu which has been cherished for now over 300 years. As we continue to explore new possibilities, our dedication to producing Honkaku Umeshu (Authentic Umeshu) remains unwavering.
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