Ribon Nama Ume Plum Hard Candy, 3.87 Ounce

This is a very difficult candy for me to find from where I live. I have trouble even finding it in a Japanese grocery store when I happen to be visiting a large metropolitan city, so I was quite pleased to find it on the Internet. I don’t read Japanese, so sometimes I have bought similar candies without the soft, dried, pickled plum center, or the candy is smaller. But, this is the larger candy with the plum center. I’ll be the first to say that this candy is an acquired taste, if you are not used to the sour/salty plum called umeboshi. The clear hard candy around the umeboshi is sweet, so there are contrasting flavors and textures in a little candy. The shipment was about two weeks late from the estimated delivery date but I had read that it had taken one person 2 months to receive their order, so I was prepared to wait a little longer but I did contact the company and they were very nice. Overall, I am very pleased to find this candy and have already placed another order**I would add that the first time I tried the candy, I didn’t like it and stuck it away. Then, months later I felt I was coming down with something and was searching around and found the bag of candy and started eating it because mom’s friend said it was sometimes good for a stomach ache. It worked for me and now I like it

I tried these at Epcot, loved them, and happily they're available here! They're delicious on the outside, typical plum hard sugar candy, but inside has a slightly savory and salty plum paste which with the sugary shell is so much more complex than most candies. I've been into these and Mexican chili covered mango lollipops, so if you like unusual (for America at least) candles with more flavor than just sweet or sour, you'll like these.

You’ve heard “it’s an acquired taste” before, so the idea of plum paste-filled candy from Japan fits the bill. Although made with top quality plums from Japan's Kishuu province, the candy doesn’t look particularly unique compared with the mixed hard candy ubiquitous at Christmas and in the bottom of grandmother purses.As is the case with many of Japan’s sweets, the hard shell Ribon Nama Ume Plum Hard Candy isn’t overly sweet. You get a nice floral hint before you reach the sour and salty plum center.This candy doesn’t last long in our household. We buy pickled plums to eat with Japanese rice. We chew plum-flavored Japanese gum. And we drink Umeshu (梅酒), a Japanese liqueur made from steeped plums.You either like pickled plums or you don’t. There's no middle ground.Rating: Five stars

Whoaaa!! Wasn’t too sure what I was getting myself into, but I’m always super interested in Japanese candy, and I wanted to try this! The outer shell is an amazing flavor, floral and plummy, the center is soft and salty and a little sour, I had no idea there was actual plum paste! It caught me off guard a little bit, but wow this candy is interesting. It’s a flavor I have never tasted before, if you want a crazy candy experience, go for it!! Prepare yourself for a new but also really good flavor!

I first found this candy in a Chinese grocery store and just picked it out randomly and was instantly addicted! The center is salty, sour and sweet and just so umami. I eat 1-2 pieces every day just to get my fix. I dock 1 star for the price here on Amazon which as of this review is $8. But I can get it at the Chinese grocery store for $2.99. So I will continue to buy in-store!

I like trying new foods, especially treats. Bought a bag from an asian market several yrs ago and I've been hooked ever since.The flavor is unique. Salty and sweet. Crunchy outside, soft inside.And I love it. Simple as that.

It’s a strange candy but very addictive. I might have to get 3 pack soon... it’s quite tasty too.

I was really curious after hearing about ume candy so after a lot of internal debate I decided to try this one. The candy has 2 parts to it. There's a hard outer shell that has a texture like ribbon candy, and it surrounds a plum paste center. I was a bit divided on my opinion of it, mostly b/c it was very unlike American candy. The outer shell was sweet, just like regular hard candy. The center is a combination of tangy and salty. It's definitely a unique experience. I only give 4 stars b/c I'm kind of touchy about salty things and I would have preferred it to be more sour and less salty but definitely worth a try.