Let's Make Some Ichigoshu

If you saw my umeshu post, you may have seen that I accidentally got twice as much shochu as I needed. Why put it to waste?

Okay so I did have to buy another glass jug. But that was cheaper than the alcohol!

I found a reasonably local small farm with a wooden stall at the end of a dirt road and everything and picked up some nice-looking strawberries. The process is basically the same as preparing the ume, though there's no need to prick the strawberries. I also used way less rock sugar since the strawberries should be plenty sweet on their own.

I once again could not resist adding a touch of salt. I almost put in some black peppercorns too; strawberries are great with black pepper, if you're never tried it. Maybe next time, and next time might not be too far off with this one! The recipe I found says it should be ready in closer to two or three months rather than the full 6-12 recommended for umeshu. Stay tuned.