Ume is also one of the Sami languages

Ume is also the name of a town in Ōita Prefecture, Japan

Ume (梅) is the Japanese name for a species of Asian plum (Prunus mume, Rosaceae). Although the tree originates from China, where it is called méi (梅), it has also been grown in Japan and Korea since ancient times. In Korean, it is called maesil (hangul: 매실; hanja: 梅實). The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers. Although normally called a plum, it is actually more closely related to the apricot. Another species commonly referred to as the "Japanese plum" is the sumomo.

In Japan, ornamental ume cultivars are classified into yabai (lit. "wild ume") types, hibai ("red ume") types, and bungo ("Bungo province") type. The bungo trees are also grown for fruit and supposed to be hybrids between ume and apricot. The hibai trees have red heartwood and most of them have red flowers. The yabai trees are also used as grafting stock.

The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in Japan, before the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1-3 cm in diameter. The flowers are typically white, though cultivars may have rose or deep red flowers. The leaves appear shortly after the petals fall. The leaves are oval, with a pointed tip. The fruit ripens in early summer, typically June in Japan. The ripening of the fruit coincides with Jiangnan's rainy season, meiyu (梅雨) (see also, tsuyu). Each fruit is round with a groove running from the stalk to the tip. The skin is green when unripe, and turns yellow, sometimes with a red blush, as it ripens. The flesh becomes yellow.

Uses

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Culinary use

Ume juice is extracted by preserving the fruits in sugar. It tastes sweet and acidic, and is a refreshing drink, often enjoyed in the summer. In Korea, maesil juice, which is marketed as a healthful tonic, is enjoying increasing popularity. Umeshu (梅酒, sometimes translated as "plum wine") is a Japanese alcoholic drink made by steeping green ume in shochu (燒酎, clear liquor). It is sweet and smooth. The taste and aroma of ume-shu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike alcohol. A similar liquor in Korea, called maesilju, is marketed under various brand names including mae hwa su, and mae chui soon.

Umeboshi 梅干 are pickled ume. Flavoured with salt and purple shiso (perilla) leaves, they are red in color and quite salty and sour, and therefore eaten sparingly. Umeboshi are generally eaten with rice as part of a bento.

Medicinal use

The fruit, as used in traditional Chinese medicine, is called wu mei. It is believed to be effective against parasites, as well as in stopping ulcers and promoting a strong digestive system and heart.

Cultural significance

Ume flowers are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring. When used in haiku or renga, they are a kigo or season word for early spring. The blossoms are asscociated with the Japanese Bush Warbler, and they are depicted together as one of the twelve suits on hanafuda (Japanese playing cards).

During the Nara period (8th century), the blossom of the ume tree was preferred over the sakura (cherry) blossom, which became popular after the Heian period (794-1185). The tree was also well loved and celebrated in China, where it is most commonly used as decoration during the Chinese New Year. The blossoms are common subjects in Chinese art and are amongst the most beloved Chinese flowers. Unlike the Japanese, however, the Chinese see the blossoms as more of a symbol for winter rather than simply a harbinger of spring. The blossom is also the national flower of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and features prominently on currency and other national symbols.

Etymology

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The scientific name (Prunus mume) preserves an older, alternative Japanese pronunciation—possibly the original—of "mme" (んめ), which was written "mume" (むめ) as there was no special kana for a lone nasal at that time. These Japanese terms derive, as does the Korean name maesil (매실), from the Chinese term for the plant, which is méi (梅).

See also

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• Japanese cuisine
• Prunus salicina
• Umeboshi

Image:Prunus mume0.jpg|Prunus mume in flower Image:Fruits_of_Japanese_plum.jpg|Fruit of Prunus mume

Rosaceae | Japanese ingredients | Eastern Asian preserves | National symbols of Taiwan

Ume | Umeo | Abricotier du Japon | ウメ | 梅