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 The Art of "Ume Shigoto": A Japanese Summer Tradition

Hello to all our international friends living in Japan! Have you noticed recently that Japanese supermarkets are suddenly filled with green, unripe plums and large glass jars? This is the sign that it’s finally time for Ume Shigoto (Plum Work) to begin!

Ume Shigoto is a beloved early summer culinary tradition in Japan where we use raw plums to make plum syrup, Umeshu (plum wine), and Umeboshi (pickled plums). The season for fresh green plums is incredibly short, lasting only a few weeks in June, so seeing them in stores brings a special feeling of the changing seasons.

Why Do Japanese People Do "Ume Shigoto"?

Why do we spend time preparing these plums every year? It is actually a piece of traditional wellness wisdom! Unlike Europe, summer in Japan is notoriously hot and humid, which is known to easily cause Natsubate (summer fatigue).

Plums are packed with citric acid, which is highly effective for recovering from exhaustion, boosting the appetite, and purifying the blood. Long before the development of modern medicine, Japanese people knew that preserving these plums in early summer was the best way to survive the harsh heat of August and September.

A Mindful and Relaxing Time

Making plum syrup is surprisingly simple and relaxing. You gently wash the plums, carefully remove the tiny stems with a toothpick, wipe off the moisture, and layer them with rock sugar in a sterilized jar.

Taking the time for this quiet, repetitive work is a wonderful form of mindfulness. And the plum drinks you make from the syrup you prepared yourself are exceptionally delicious! Writing this article actually made me want to try Ume Shigoto together with my son for the very first time.

In today's busy world, with so many changes happening in society, our minds can easily become restless. Taking the time to prepare the plums while imagining, "I wonder how we will be doing by the time these are ready to eat," is a wonderful way to center and calm the mind.

I hope you all take some time to relax and perhaps try this out. That was a little introduction to the Japanese summer tradition of Ume Shigoto!