Hello everyone,
I’m Tani, ume concierge at our Kyoto store.

It’s already March, though mornings and evenings are still a bit chilly. I love eating hotpot for dinner, and one of my favorite moments is seeing our big clay pot filled with simmering vegetables and meat at the family table.

The warm air filling the room, the body slowly heating up, and the cozy time spent with family around the table always feel extra gentle and relaxed.

After warming up with hotpot, how about a cool dessert? That’s when I recommend transforming the ume from your umeshu into a refreshing treat.

Just Freeze Them —  Infused  Ume Turn into a Sherbet-like Treat!

Simply place the ume from your umeshu in the freezer, and they’ll turn into chilled, frozen ume treats.

Because the ume are infused with sugar and alcohol, they don’t freeze rock solid. Instead, they remain soft yet icy, giving a sherbet-like texture. Take a bite, and you’ll enjoy a refreshing, simple, and delicious adult dessert.

You can also enjoy them alongside your favorite umeshu—whether with soda or on the rocks with ice. The frozen ume add an extra layer of rich ume flavor, making your umeshu time even more enjoyable.

I Tried Freezing Different Types of Ume

Here are my impressions after freezing several varieties of ume. I hope it helps you choose your favorite.

• Fully-ripened Nanko
  Among Choya’s lineup, this ume has the most flesh. Once fully ripened, the skin is thin and the flesh is soft, releasing a peach-like fragrance in the mouth.
• Shirokaga
  Harvested green, it retains a crisp, crunchy texture. Recommended for those who like crunchy  infused  ume. It’s delicious to nibble on alongside umeshu.
• Organic Nanko
  Like Fully-ripened Nanko, it has plenty of flesh. Harvested while still green, it has a texture similar to aloe when steeped in umeshu. Juicy and refreshing, with chilled umeshu flavor spreading in the mouth.
• Oshuku
  The fruit and skin are slightly firmer compared to other varieties, but it offers a refined aroma. Once steeped in umeshu, it delivers a gentle and elegant ume fragrance.
• Purple Queen
  The only small ume in the lineup, similar in size to cherries. Easy to eat and irresistibly snackable. Try topping vanilla ice cream with frozen Purple Queen ume for a delightful treat.

Did any of these pique your interest?
Every ume at Choya is carefully grown with dedication by farmers. After making umeshu or ume syrup, be sure to enjoy the ume fruit itself to fully savor its goodness.

Each ume has its own unique character and can be enjoyed in many different ways.
We’ll continue to share ideas on our blog and social media—please take a look!