Kanto area started Tsuyu (rainy season), quite early this year, 12 days earlier than average!

In spite of the gloomy weather, Japanese people try to enjoy and cherish the season, by making pickles and appreciating the rain that cultivate rice plants.

In Japanese we write Tsuyu as"梅雨" literally meaning Plum Rain.

Plums are said to get ripe during this rainy season.

Japanese people enjoy making "Umeboshi"plum pickles during this time of year.

This special pickle, is very powerful and helps sterilize foods, helps stomach problems, helps fatigue recovery and enhances calcium assimilation etc. This pickle is considered a treasure and wisdom from our ancestors.