Japanese plums (ume) are bright green and firm and appear early to mid-May. The plums are enjoyed in many ways, especially in Japanese plum wine, syrup, and pickled plums.
Is ume the same as plum?
One Fruit, Many Names
Thus, ume are often referred to as ‘plums’ or ‘Chinese Plum’, but more commonly ‘Japanese Plum. ‘ That said, this fruit is actually closer to an apricot! The ume tree, the ‘prunus mume’ is more closely related to an apricot plant than a plum tree, despite this common misconception.
What kind of plum is used to make umeboshi?
ume plums
To make umeboshi, you will need ripen, yellow, and blushed ume plums called Kanjuku Ume (完熟梅). You can make umeboshi with the green ones, but they have too much astringency, so you will need to soak the ume in water for 6 hours before you process.
Are ume plums apricots?
Known generally as the Japanese plum, the ume is actually a variety of apricot. The plump, deceptively sweet-looking ume is actually quite sour and is seldom eaten raw; instead, it’s salt-cured and sun dried for several days to create a purely Japanese creation: the wrinkled pink umeboshi, pickled Japanese apricot.
Are ume plums poisonous?
Do not eat soft green plums taken from trees whole, with the seeds still in them. For safe eating, ume plums need to be heated, pickled or dried so that toxic cyanogenetic glycoside is destroyed.
Can you eat ume plums raw?
Ume plums are very astringent and can’t be eaten raw – they’ll give you a tummy ache. But in salted or alcohol-preserved form, they’re perfectly safe to eat and are quite delicious. They can also be made into a jam.
What kind of fruit is ume?
plum
Ume (Prunus mume) is a species of fruit-bearing tree in the genus Prunus, which is often called a “plum”, but is actually more closely related to the apricot. Pickled ume which are not dried are called umezuke (梅漬け).
Are umeboshi plums good for you?
Umeboshi are a good source of polyphenols, which are thought to reduce the risk of diabetes, help lower blood pressure, prevent hardening of the arteries, and boost calcium absorption.
What are sour plums called?
The Sour Plum also is known as a Cherry Plum is the main ingredient of a tangy Georgian sauce called Tkemali. Tkemali is the Georgian name for cherry plum, as well as sauce made of cherry plums. Tkemali is made from both red and green varieties. Flavor of the sauce varies between sweet and pungently tart.
How do you eat fresh ume plum?
Umeboshi is often served whole on top steamed rice, used as a filling for onigiri (おにぎり, rice balls), cut up and stirred into okayu (お粥, rice porridge) and even added to pasta dishes and salads! Eating it may be a challenge for beginners because of its sourness. However, the more you eat, the more you will love it!
What does the word ume mean in English?
Japanese apricot
Japanese apricot, a species of Asian plum, Prunus mume.
Is Japanese plum apricot?
The Japanese plum tree, also known as ume, Prunus mume, is in fact an apricot, and originates not from Japan, but rather the mountains of southwestern China.
What does ume fruit taste like?
Ume are chemically and gastronomically unique, similar to apricots in fragrance, oranges in color, and berries in acidity. Once you taste them, you’ll agree that there’s nothing quite like ume. Nanko-ume is the premier variety of ume, featuring a rich, apricot-like aroma and tart fruity flavor.
How long does umeboshi last in the fridge?
Let cool, and store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will keep for a couple of weeks. To use as a salad dressing, mix 2 tablespoons of the sauce with ½ tablespoon of a light-flavored vegetable or olive oil.
What does ume plum taste like?
Mature Ume plums have a very sour, astringent, and bitter flavor and are only consumed once fermented or pickled to develop a palatable taste. In addition to the fruits, the Ume tree also showcases small white, pink, to red blossoms in the early spring.
Can dogs eat Japanese plums?
The seeds and leaves of Japanese plums contain amygdalin and prunasin, which are cyanogenic glucosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed or digested. It’s toxic to dogs, especially when eaten in large amounts.
Is ume good for constipation?
Ume & Umeboshi are rich in potassium, manganese, and fibre. They help alleviate common digestive issues such as dyspepsia and bloating. The dietary fiber found in the fruit also adds bulk and roughage which ease the motion of stool and prevents constipation.
Is umeboshi a probiotic?
It’s fermented, which helps keep our digestive systems in good order, and also promotes the growth of probiotics, which make it possible to absorb nutrients better. It’s also packed with dietary fiber and a long list of nutrients, especially protein and minerals like manganese and iron.
How long does umeboshi plums last?
Umeboshi are traditional Japanese sour plums made through preservation. The traditional recipe requires little to no additive, with a salt content of over 20%. If the environment and climate are fitting, some preserved plums can be consumed over 100 years.
What can you do with raw ume?
In Japan, the most common way to use ume is to pickle for umeboshi. We serve umeboshi with rice, onigiri, or as a sour agent to noodles and salad dressing. It’s a traditional food that’s labor intensive to make but is packed with nutrition, especially for the hot Japanese summers.
Is umami a ume?
What is ume? It is a Japanese fruit that acquires a very special taste after a long fermentation process: both sour and salty (or umami). If you’re adventurous, you really have to try ume. Ume is used in Japan as a kind of appetizer or strong seasoning.