Passion is Thy Name!

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to this wonderful drink by a galfriend who got hitched with a Japanese dude. It had me at first sip - I was utterly, hopelessly and completed hooked!

It’s actually a fruit liqueur made from the Japanese plum (Ume). I soon learnt that it has many health benefits. Let me share them here.

1. The fruit contains citric acid that relieves fatique and helps the body to recover its energy and vitality.
2. It stimulates saliva and gastric secretions to enhance the appetite.
3. It possesses a sterilizing effect and an intestinal digestion process coordinating effect that purifies the body’s internal organs and relieves diarrhea.

In a nutshell, it’s definitely synonymous with good health.
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So for years, my bar is ever-stocked with this - Choya Umeshu Dento
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Cost for a 1-litre bottle :

• RM100+ @ the local supermarket or any Japanese stores
• RM60 from the Duty Free Shop (DFS) @ the airport

Then I discovered the paper pack ones that hold 1.8 litres for under RM30! Unfortunately, those are only available in Japan. So, I only get to stock them up when I travel there or any of my friends are travelling there. Abit troublesome but definitely worth the moolah saved. Here’s a picture of the paper pack version. I’ve 2 different types but it’s just the packaging. Both have the same content.
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Go here to view the many different versions of this yummy and healthy plum drink.
Go here to watch a short video of the soda version.
Go here for some Choya ideas.
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Then earlier this year, I was introduced to another vesion of this wonderful Ume drink. Thanks to Japan Airlines, I got to enjoy this wonderful drink all the way from Austin to Tokyo. The stewardess got tired of my refill requests and finally brought the entire bottle and asked me to help myself with the refilling. *sheepish grin*
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This is Choya Ume Excellent.
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Upon reaching Tokyo, I went all over looking for it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it at the airport, in restaurants, at shopping malls, nor at the local grocery stores. I was devastated. Finally, I resigned myself to the fact that it was just meant to be a one-time only affair in the skies.
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Then, today happened.
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I received an email from a certain someone who happened to know that I was searching high and low for this drink many months ago. It seems the bottle was located at a neighbourhood store and it costs under USD15. I had a hard time containing my excitement when I received the great news!
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Soon, my dear. Soon. I will see you soon (2 weeks to be precise) and I will hold you, taste you again. Ahhhh…
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Those of you who will be paying my pad a visit anytime next month onwards, I will have 2 bottles of it sitting in my bar and you will get a chance to savour this wonderful drink.
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Be patient, ya?