Ume

/ˈuːmeɪ/ noun

Definition

A small East Asian tree that produces plum-like fruit, or the fruit itself, used in traditional Japanese cuisine and beverages.

Etymology

From Japanese 'ume' (梅). The fruit has been cultivated in East Asia for thousands of years and was later brought to other parts of the world.

Kelly Says

Ume is called a 'plum' in English, but it's actually closer to an apricot genetically—the name mismatch happened because early European traders just called all East Asian stone fruits 'plums'!

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