Japanese Food - Umeboshi (Pickled Plums)

"Umeboshi" are pickled plums. As some of you may already know, they are incredibly sour and extremely salty. In fact Japanese young people are sometimes reluctant to eat umeboshi due to their tang.

However, umeboshi have several health benefits. The citric acid, which causes mouth-puckering tartness, helps recovery from fatigue and promotes mineral absorption.

Its bactericidal effects can prevent foods from going bad. This is why traditionally an umeboshi is put in a rice ball or on rice in a bento box. More importantly the citric acid helps with blood flow, which improves circulation. This, in turn, boosts the immune system.

Umeboshi go well with cheese. Trust me that combination is delicious. It is also very refreshing to have umeboshi with shochu (a Japanese distilled beverage) and soda.

Umeboshi-making starts in June when plums ripen.