Ume

The word Ume translates into plum. But it is more like an apricot. An ume tree, when in its flowering state, has beautiful pink flowers all over the tree. Small, with a diameter of 2 to 3 centimeters on average, ume plums have a round to oval form with a distinct suture line running from the stem cavity to the fruit's pointed tip at the base. When the skin is young, it is smooth, firm, and bright green color. As the skin ages, however, the surface becomes slightly fuzzy and matte, turning yellow with a flush of peach color.

Ume plums have a solid, dry, and crunchy exterior but are light green to yellow on the inside. When small, the plums are inedible and sour, and if eaten, they are known to cause indigestion. Mature plums are edible but unpleasant. Ume is usually not eaten raw. It is pickled and made into umeboshi. Umeboshi can be eaten with bento (lunch box) or onigiri or just plain rice. Another dish with umeboshi is ume chazuke, a dish of rice poured in green tea topped with umeboshi.