Ume
From Freepedia
- Ume is also one of the Sami languages
- Ume is also the name of a town in Ōita Prefecture, Japan
| Ume | ||||||||||||||
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| Image:Ume blossom 2005.03.14.jpg Ume flower, March | ||||||||||||||
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| Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc. |
Ume (梅) is the Japanese name for a species of Asian plum (Prunus mume, Rosaceae). The tree originates from China (where it is called méi (梅)), but has also grown in Japan and Korea (where it is called maesil) since ancient times. The tree is cultivated for its fruits and flowers. Although normally called a plum it is actually more closely related to the apricot. The sumomo plum is another species also called Japanese plum.
In Japan there are more than 300 cultivars of ume. They are classified into "wild plum" type, "crimson flowered" type and bungo type. The best fruit comes from the bungo trees; the crimson flowered trees are grown mainly for decoration. Wild plum trees are 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 pink or magenta flowers. The leaves appear shortly after the petals fall. The leaves are oval, with a pointed tip. In Japanese poetry the blossoms are associated with the Japanese Bush Warbler as symbols (kigo) of early spring and they are depicted together as one of the twelve suits on hanafuda (Japanese playing cards).
The fruit ripens in early summer, typically June in Japan. The ripening of the fruit coincides with the Japanese rainy season (tsuyu or plum rains). 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.
Before the Edo period, and especially during the Heian period, the more restrained blossom of the plum tree was preferred over the more showy sakura (cherry) blossom.
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Uses
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. Ume-shu (梅酒, also called plum wine) is a Japanese alcoholic drink made by steeping green ume in shochu (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 product, called maesilju, mae hwa su, or mae chui soon, is produced in Korea.
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.
Etymology
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 likely derive, as does the Korean name maesil, from the Chinese term for the plant, which is méi (梅).
See also
 Prunus mume in flower |
 Fruit of Prunus mume |
