Ume Plum Compote Recipe

I’ve been messing around in the kitchen lately and decided to whip up a batch of this super tasty ume plum compote that mixes sweet, tangy, and a little spicy kick from ginger, and it’s become my new go-to topping for pancakes or ice cream.

I love making this Ume Plum Compote cuz the fresh plums with a little lemon juice and ginger really bring out natural vitamins. I think the mix of sugar and water helps draw out the fruit’s antioxidants and nutrients and it tastes pretty amazing even when I mess up a bit.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

• 500 g ume plums, pitted and halved
• 200 g granulated sugar
• 250 ml water
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 small knob of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

How to Make this

1. Put the water and sugar in a large saucepan and heat on medium until the sugar dissolves completely.

2. Add the ume plums, sliced ginger, and stir gently so everything mixes well.

3. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat and let it cook for about 20 to 25 minutes until the plums get soft.

4. Stir in the lemon juice and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the compote cool down to room temperature.

6. Once cooled, serve it as is, or chill in the fridge if you prefer a cold treat.

7. Enjoy the compote on its own, or use it as a tasty topping for ice cream, yogurt, or pancakes.

Equipment Needed

1. A large saucepan
2. A stove
3. Measuring cups for the water
4. Measuring spoons for the sugar and lemon juice
5. A knife for slicing the ginger
6. A cutting board
7. A stirring spoon
8. A serving bowl or container for cooling or serving the compote

FAQ

• Q: How long can I store the compote in the fridge?
  A: You can keep it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If it lasts longer the flavor might change a bit.
• Q: Can I substitute the granulated sugar with another type?
  A: Yeah, you can use brown sugar or honey, but it might change the taste and color of the compote.
• Q: Do I really need to pit the ume plums?
  A: Yes, it’s really important to pit them first not only for better flavor but to avoid any awkward texture.
• Q: Is it ok to serve the compote warm?
  A: Definitely, you can enjoy it warm or chilled, though chilling helps to make it a refreshing treat.
• Q: Can I adjust the ginger and lemon flavor to my liking?
  A: Sure, if you like a stronger taste then feel free to add a bit more ginger or lemon juice, its all about your taste.

Ume Plum Compote Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Granulated sugar: You can replace this with honey or agave syrup, but remember to adjust the quantity since these are sweeter.
• Fresh lemon juice: Try using lime juice instead. It gives a slightly different tang but works well in the compote.
• Water: If you want more flavor, you can use apple or pear juice instead of water.
• Ginger: If you don’t have fresh ginger, a pinch of ground ginger or even a small amount of galangal can be used, though it’s not exactly the same.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you stir the sugar and water real slowly over medium heat to let the sugar completely dissolve. If you rush it, you might get gritty bits in your compote and that ruins the smooth taste.
2. When you add the ume plums and ginger, stir them gently. You dont want the fruits to break up too much because chunky plums make the dish look more homemade and tasty.
3. Keep an eye on the heat during simmering. If it gets too hot the compote might reduce too fast which will make it a lot thicker than you want. A steady low simmer is the key.
4. After cooking, try letting the compote chill in the fridge overnight. This extra time helps the flavors meld together real nice and gives it a more balanced sweetness.

So here’s how i do this recipe: First, take a big saucepan and put in the water and sugar. Heat everything on a medium flame until the sugar completely dissolves. Then add your ume plums, sliced ginger, and give it a gentle stir so nothing sticks to the bottom. Bring it up to a simmer, lower the heat and let that mix cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until the plums go soft. Next, stir in the lemon juice and let it simmer for another 5 minutes so the flavors all mix up good. Finally, take the pan off the heat and let the compote cool down to room temp. You can serve it warm or chuck it in the fridge if you prefer a cold treat, then enjoy it on its own or as a topping for ice cream, yogurt or pancakes.