[Original Case Pack: 25 units] Harvested by the Fukami family, this premium ume plum paste is made with organic Nanko plums, the highest regarded variety of ume. The fourth-generation farm/manufacturer, rooted in Wakayama Prefecture, has grown organic Nanko plums with no chemical pesticides or fertilizers since 1940. They hand-pick the organically grown, highest quality ripe Nanko plums in May and June, wash them, and cure them for one whole year with sea salt sourced from Hyogo Prefecture. The cured ume plums are then sun-dried for three days and nights, before being aged in barrels for over three years. The flesh of the aged ume plums is strained through fine mesh to ensure a smooth texture. This artisanal ume paste boasts a fruity flavor and an extreme sour taste. It's an incredibly versatile condiment that can be used for a wide variety of dishes. Nutritionally, it’s rich in citric and other organic acids, which are known to help restore physical energy. No artificial additives such as flavoring, coloring, preservatives, or seasonings are used. It’s all natural. Like umeboshi (salt-cured, sour ume plum), this ume plum paste is incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of dishes. Use it to make dressings and sauces, splash a little on steamed or stir-fried vegetables, add a dash to soups or braises, and even garnish hummus, pasta and pizza. Being a paste, it’s easy to use in cooking, so you can be even more creative. For example, spread the ume plum paste over meat, then bread and deep-fry it to make ume plum flavored cutlets. You can also mix it into dessert and cocktails.