How long does plum wine take to make?
Plum wine, also called umeshu, is a popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. It is made by steeping unripe plums in alcohol and sugar. The plums break down over time, releasing their flavor into the liquid. The resulting drink is sweet and smooth, with a pleasant plum flavor.
Plum wine is typically made with shochu, a type of clear spirits distilled from rice, barley, or sweet potatoes. Shochu has a relatively low alcohol content, around 25%, so it does not overpower the delicate plum flavor. However, you can also make plum wine with rice wine (sake), which has a higher alcohol content.
The steeping process takes anywhere from several months to a year. The longer the plums steep, the more flavorful the wine will be. After steeping, the plum wine is typically filtered and bottled. It can be enjoyed immediately, or aged for even longer.
If you want to make your own plum wine, you can find unripe plums at your local Asian market. Look for plums that are firm and green, without any blemishes. You will also need shochu, sugar, and a glass container large enough to fit all of the ingredients.
To make the plum wine, start by sterilizing your glass container with boiling water. Then, wash the plums and remove the stems. Cut the plums in half, or into quarters if they are very large.
In a clean pot, dissolve the sugar in the shochu. Add the plums to the pot and stir gently to coat them in the sugar syrup. Pour everything into the glass container and seal it tightly.
Set the container in a cool, dark place and let the plums steep for at least 3 months. Gently shake the container every few weeks to help the plums release their flavor. After 3 months, taste the plum wine and see if it is to your liking. If not, let it steep for longer.
When the plum wine is ready, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the plum bits. Pour the wine into clean bottles and seal them tightly. Store the plum wine in a cool, dark place. It will continue to improve with age and can be stored for many years.
How long does plum wine take to ferment?
The fermentation process for plum wine generally takes about 2-3 weeks. This is assuming that the plums are properly crushed and the must is kept at a warm temperature (between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). If the must is kept at a cooler temperature, it will take longer for the fermentation process to occur.
Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about make plum wine. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.