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

famous confection from Yamagata Prefecture"Noshi-ume," a? It looks like a jelly-like snack and might seem like a children's treat at first glance, but it's actually a traditional Japanese sweet with a long history. This time, we'll introduce you to this Yamagata specialty, "Noshi-ume."

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What is Noshiume?

Noshiume is a type of traditional Japanese confectionery from Yamagata Prefecture.by grinding plums, mixing them with agar-agar, spreading the mixture thinly, drying it, and then sandwiching it 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 storyMogami Yoshiaki,goes back to the time ofKobayashi Genzui, went to Nagasaki to study, he was taught the secret recipe for a medicine made from plums by a Chinese person, and the prototype of what is now known as "Noshi-ume" (pressed plums) was created based on that recipe as a stimulant.

Later, caught up in the turmoil of the Yamagata domain, Gentan's descendants went down to the city and made a living as doctors and pharmacists. The manufacturing method was passed down, and itfolk remedy for stomach ailments and stimulants,became a

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 current form of "noshiume" is said to beNoshiume Honpo Satoya, a long-established shop founded in 1821. It is said that they started selling "noshiume" as a confection to pilgrims visiting the Dewa Sanzan, which was popular during the Edo period, and it became very popular. Records from Satoya at that time also show that they exported to the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. Amazing!

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I actually tried it

This time,Tamaya Sohonten, a company whose products are often seen in souvenirI bought "Noshi-ume" from

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 "Noshi Ume" from Tamaya Sohonten, a long-established shop in Yamagata Prefecture founded in 1754! Noshi Ume is a Japanese-style sweet made by solidifying mashed plums with agar. I learned for the first time that it originated in Yamagata! #YamagataPrefecture #YamagataSpecialty #TamayaSohonten #NoshiUme ♬ Lovingcall

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