The Seasonal Alchemy of Ume Shigoto: Preserving Japan’s Summer in a Jar
As the rainy season (Tsuyu) descends upon the Japanese archipelago in late May and early June, a specific, fragrant ritual begins in kitchens from Okinawa to Hokkaido. This is the season of Ume Shigoto, or "plum work." While the world may be familiar with Japan’s cherry blossoms, it is the humble ume (Japanese plum) that […]

