Yamagata Prefecture: Did the famous Japanese sweet "Noshiume" have its roots in a tonic?

"Noshi Ume," a Yamagata specialty ? It looks like jelly and at first glance looks like a children's snack, but it is a traditional Japanese sweet with a long history. This time, we will introduce this Yamagata specialty, "Noshi Ume."

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What is Noshiume?

Noshiume is a type of traditional Japanese sweet that has been passed down in Yamagata for a long time. made by crushing plums and mixing them into agar , which is then thinly spread, dried, and sandwiched between bamboo leaves.

With its cool, jelly-like appearance and elegant taste with just the right amount of sweet and sour, it has been loved for many years

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Did it start as a secret Chinese medicine recipe?

The history dates back to the time of Mogami Yoshiaki, Kobayashi Gentan , studied in Nagasaki, he was taught by a Chinese person how to make a secret medicine using plums as an ingredient, and it is said that the prototype of the current "Noshi Ume" was created as a tonic based on this method.

Later, Genbata became embroiled in turmoil in the Yamagata domain, and moved to the city, where he worked as a doctor and pharmacist. The recipe was passed down to his descendants, and it began to be made in every household as a folk remedy for stomach problems and as a tonic

The original form of the medicine is said to have been a syrup-like substance made by adding brown sugar to boiled plums

The originator of the modern-day "Noshi Ume" is said to be Noshi Ume Honpo Satoya , a long-established store founded in 1821. It became popular when they started selling "Noshi Ume" as a sweet to visitors on the "Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage" that was popular during the Edo period. Satoya's records from that time also show exports to the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. Amazing!

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I actually tried it

This time, I bought "Noshi Ume" from Tamaya Sohonten,

I seem to see this package often at Sendai Station

It contained four "Noshi Ume" plums sandwiched between bamboo skins. When you press them with your hand, they feel soft and cushion-like

When you peel back the bamboo skin, the dried plum appears. The refreshing scent of plum spreads all at once. One piece is quite large

I tried flipping all four. They were sticky to the touch. It seems best to eat them while still sandwiched between the bamboo skins

The texture is chewy, but the taste is much more sour than I expected! I almost cringed. After a while, the sweetness gradually comes over me. It's a bit surprising at first, but once you get used to it, the balance of sourness and sweetness is exquisite and you never get tired of it. It's like a dessert for adults. It's also good as a snack with tea

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summary

Yamagata Prefecture has long been known for its specialty safflower, which has been traded at high prices, especially in the Kamigata region. Because the acid in plums was used to extract red dye from safflower, plum cultivation was also thriving in the area. It was only natural that "Noshi Ume" would be born in Yamagata

It will last for about two months at room temperature and is reasonably priced, so it might be a good souvenir from Yamagata

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INFORMATION

Noshiume Honpo Satoya Main Store

• Address: 3-10-36 Tokamachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-0031
• Phone: 023-622-3108
• URL: https://satoya-matsubei.com/

Tamaya Main Store

• Address: 3-2-16 Teppomachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-2492
• Phone: 023-623-0558
• URL: http://www.noshiume.com/

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TikTok videos

@neft_tohoku I tried the "Noshiume" (plum sachet) from Tamaya Sohonten, a long-established store founded in Yamagata Prefecture in 1754! Noshiume is a Japanese sweet made from mashed plums solidified with agar. I never knew it originated in Yamagata! #YamagataPrefecture #YamagataSpecialty #TamuraSohonten #Noshiume ♬ Lovingcall

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