Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ume shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ume offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ume at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ume ? Wrong! If the Ume is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Ume then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ume ? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ume and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ume wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Ume then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ume site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Ume , or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ume , then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Ume Sami is also one of the Sami languages
Ume, Ōita is also the name of a town in Oita Prefecture, Japan
{{Taxobox| color = lightgreen| name = Ume| image = Ume blossom 2005.03.14.jpg| image_width = 250px| image_caption = Ume blossoms, March| regnum = Plantae]| classis = Magnoliopsida| familia = [Rosaceae| subgenus =
[plum| sectio = Armeniaca
| species = P. mume| binomial = Prunus mume
| binomial_authority = Philipp Franz von Siebold & Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini-->Prunus mume
is a species of Asian Prunus in the family Rosaceae. It is called ume (kanji: wiktionary:梅; hiragana: wiktionary:うwiktionary:め) in Japanese language, méi (wiktionary:梅) or méizi (wikt:梅wikt:子) in Chinese language,The term méizi
(wikt:梅wikt:子) refers to the fruit itself. maesil (hangul: 매실; hanja: wiktionary:梅wiktionary:實) in Korean language, and 'mai
in Vietnamese language. The tree originates from China, and was brought to Japan and Korea later. 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 Prunus salicina (Prunus salicina).The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in East Asia, before the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1–3
centimetre 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 East Asia. The ripening of the fruit coincides with
Jiangnan's rainy season,
meiyu (梅雨), called
baiu or
tsuyu in Japanese. 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.
Varieties
Japan
In Japan, Ornamental plant 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 Wood#Heartwood and sapwood and most of them have red flowers. The
yabai trees are also used as grafting stock.
China
In China, there are over 300 recorded cultivars of
mei, which can be broadly divided by colour into white, pink, red, purple, and light green types. Some varieties are especially famed for their ornamental value, including the
Dahong mei (大红梅; literally "big red mei"),
Taige mei (lit. "pavilion mei"),
Zhaoshui mei (lit. "reflecting water mei"),
Lü'e mei (lit. "green
sepal mei"),
Longyou mei (lit. "swimming dragon mei").
As the
mei can usually grow for a long time, ancient
mei trees are found throughout China. Huangmei (lit. "Yellow Mei") in
Hubei features a 1600-year-old
mei tree from the Jin Dynasty which is still flowering.
Uses
Culinary use
Juice
Ume juice is extracted by preserving the fruits in sugar. In China, sour plum juice () photo is made from Smoking (cooking technique)
ume (). It ranges from light pinkish orange to purplish black in color and often has a smoky and slightly salty taste. It is traditionally flavoured with sweet osmanthus flowers, and is enjoyed chilled, usually in summer. The juice produced in Japan and Korea, made from green
ume, tastes sweet and tangy, and is considered a refreshing drink, also often enjoyed in the summer. In Korea,
maesil juice, which is marketed as a healthful tonic, is enjoying increasing popularity. It is commercially available in glass jars in sweetened, concentrated syrup form; it is reconstituted by stirring a small amount of syrup into a glass of water. The syrup may also be prepared at home by storing one part fresh
maesil in a container with one part sugar (but no water).
Liquor
Ume liquor is popular in both Japan and Korea.
Umeshu (梅酒, sometimes translated as "plum wine") is a Japanese alcoholic drink made by steeping green
ume in
shōchū (燒酎, clear
liquor). photo It is sweet and smooth. The taste and aroma of
umeshu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike
alcohol. A similar liquor in Korea, called
maesil ju (매실주), is marketed under various brand names including Mae Hwa Su, Mae Chui Soon, and Seol Joong Mae. Both the Japanese and Korean varieties of
ume liquor are available with whole
ume fruits contained in the bottle. photo
Pickled and preserved
ume
Umeboshi (wiktionary:梅wiktionary:干), or pickled
ume, are a Japanese specialty. Flavoured with salt and purple
perilla (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, although they may also be used in
sushi.
Makizushi made with
ume may be made with either
umeboshi or
umeboshi paste, often in conjunction with green
shiso leaves. A by-product of
umeboshi production is
umeboshi vinegar, a salty, sour condiment. In Chinese cuisine,
ume that are pickled with vinegar and salt are called
suān méizi (
wikt:酸wikt:梅wikt:子), and have a similar intensely sour and salty flavor as
umeboshi.
Huamei (), or Chinese preserved plum, refers to any of a large number of Chinese foods involving plums pickled in sugar, salt, and herbs such as
liquorice. photo There are two general varieties: a dried variety, and a wet (pickled) variety. However, flavours and methods of preparation differ widely by region.
Huamei are usually consumed as a snack.
Sauce
A thick, sweet Chinese sauce called
mei jiang (wikt:梅wikt:酱) or
meizi jiang (梅子酱), usually translated as "plum sauce," photo is also made from
ume, along with other ingredients such as sugar, vinegar, salt, ginger, chili, and garlic. Similar to duck sauce, it is used as a
condiment for various Chinese dishes, including poultry dishes and
egg rolls.
Medicinal use
In traditional Chinese medicine, the smoked fruits, called
wumei (
wiktionary:乌wiktionary:梅), is used for medicinal purposes. They are generally black in color and are believed to be effective against
parasites, as well as in stopping
ulcers and promoting a strong digestive system and heart.
Cultural significance
Ume flowers have been well loved and celebrated in both China and Japan. In China, they are most commonly used as decoration during the
Chinese New Year. The blossoms are common subjects in Chinese art and are among the most beloved Chinese flowers. Unlike the Japanese, however, the Chinese see the blossoms as more of a symbol for winter rather than a harbinger of spring. It is precisely for this reason that the blossoms are so beloved, because they bloom most vibrantly amidst the winter snow while all other flowers have long since succumbed to the cold and died. Thus, they are seen as an example of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, and thus has also been used as a metaphor to symbolize revolutionary struggle. Because they blossom in winter, the
ume, the pine, and the
bamboo together have been called the "Three Friends of the Cold" (岁寒三友).
Apart from that, the blossom is one of the "Four
Junzi Flowers" (四君子) in China (the others being orchid,
chrysanthemum, and bamboo) and symbolized nobleness. These are also the four flowers that appear on mahjong tile sets, where ume is usually simply translated as "plum" in English.
The blossom has long been a floral symbol of the ancient Chinese city of
Nanjing. In 1964, the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China adopted the five-petaled plum blossom ("
prunus mei") as the
national flower of the Republic of China. Government Information Office, Republic of China - National Flower. It also serves as the logo of
China Airlines, the national carrier of the Republic of China. The flower features prominently on New Taiwan Dollar and other
national symbols. In mainland China, the flower also features on Renminbi and other important symbols.
Ume blossoms 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 associated with the Japanese Bush Warbler, and they are depicted together as one of the twelve
Suit (cards) 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).
Etymology
In North America, the fruit and tree are generally known by the Japanese name,
ume. 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 Middle Chinese pronunciation of the character wikt:梅, which is thought to have been
muəi.Yamaguchi, Y., ed.: "
Kurashi no kotoba: Gogen Jiten", page 103. Kodansha, 1998
See also
Image:Prunus mume0.jpg|
Prunus mume in flower
Notes
External links
- Photo of a package of Korean maesil cha (maesil tea)
Ume Sami is also one of the Sami languages
Ume, Ōita is also the name of a town in Oita Prefecture,
Japan
{{Taxobox| color = lightgreen| name = Ume| image = Ume blossom 2005.03.14.jpg| image_width = 250px| image_caption = Ume blossoms, March| regnum = Plantae]| classis = Magnoliopsida| familia = [Rosaceae| subgenus =
[plum| sectio = Armeniaca
| species = P. mume| binomial = Prunus mume
| binomial_authority = Philipp Franz von Siebold & Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini-->Prunus mume
is a species of Asian Prunus in the family Rosaceae. It is called ume (kanji: wiktionary:梅; hiragana: wiktionary:うwiktionary:め) in Japanese language, méi (wiktionary:梅) or méizi (wikt:梅wikt:子) in Chinese language,The term méizi
(wikt:梅wikt:子) refers to the fruit itself. maesil (hangul: 매실; hanja: wiktionary:梅wiktionary:實) in Korean language, and 'mai
in Vietnamese language. The tree originates from China, and was brought to Japan and Korea later. 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 Prunus salicina (Prunus salicina).The tree flowers in late winter, typically late January or February in East Asia, before the leaves appear. Each flower has five petals and is 1–3
centimetre 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 East Asia. The ripening of the fruit coincides with Jiangnan's rainy season,
meiyu (梅雨), called
baiu or
tsuyu in Japanese. 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.
Varieties
Japan
In Japan,
Ornamental plant 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
Wood#Heartwood and sapwood and most of them have red flowers. The
yabai trees are also used as grafting stock.
China
In China, there are over 300 recorded cultivars of
mei, which can be broadly divided by colour into white, pink, red, purple, and light green types. Some varieties are especially famed for their ornamental value, including the
Dahong mei (大红梅; literally "big red mei"),
Taige mei (lit. "pavilion mei"),
Zhaoshui mei (lit. "reflecting water mei"),
Lü'e mei (lit. "green sepal mei"),
Longyou mei (lit. "swimming dragon mei").
As the
mei can usually grow for a long time, ancient
mei trees are found throughout China. Huangmei (lit. "Yellow Mei") in
Hubei features a 1600-year-old
mei tree from the
Jin Dynasty which is still flowering.
Uses
Culinary use
Juice
Ume juice is extracted by preserving the fruits in sugar. In China, sour plum juice () photo is made from
Smoking (cooking technique) ume (). It ranges from light pinkish orange to purplish black in color and often has a smoky and slightly salty taste. It is traditionally flavoured with
sweet osmanthus flowers, and is enjoyed chilled, usually in summer. The juice produced in Japan and Korea, made from green
ume, tastes sweet and tangy, and is considered a refreshing drink, also often enjoyed in the summer. In Korea,
maesil juice, which is marketed as a healthful tonic, is enjoying increasing popularity. It is commercially available in glass jars in sweetened, concentrated syrup form; it is reconstituted by stirring a small amount of syrup into a glass of water. The syrup may also be prepared at home by storing one part fresh
maesil in a container with one part sugar (but no water).
Liquor
Ume liquor is popular in both Japan and Korea.
Umeshu (梅酒, sometimes translated as "plum wine") is a Japanese alcoholic drink made by steeping green
ume in
shōchū (燒酎, clear liquor). photo It is sweet and smooth. The taste and aroma of
umeshu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike alcohol. A similar liquor in Korea, called
maesil ju (매실주), is marketed under various brand names including Mae Hwa Su, Mae Chui Soon, and Seol Joong Mae. Both the Japanese and Korean varieties of
ume liquor are available with whole
ume fruits contained in the bottle. photo
Pickled and preserved
ume
Umeboshi (wiktionary:梅wiktionary:干), or pickled
ume, are a Japanese specialty. Flavoured with salt and purple
perilla (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, although they may also be used in
sushi.
Makizushi made with
ume may be made with either
umeboshi or
umeboshi paste, often in conjunction with green
shiso leaves. A by-product of
umeboshi production is
umeboshi vinegar, a salty, sour condiment. In Chinese cuisine,
ume that are pickled with vinegar and salt are called
suān méizi (wikt:酸
wikt:梅wikt:子), and have a similar intensely sour and salty flavor as
umeboshi.
Huamei (), or Chinese preserved plum, refers to any of a large number of Chinese foods involving plums pickled in sugar, salt, and herbs such as liquorice. photo There are two general varieties: a dried variety, and a wet (pickled) variety. However, flavours and methods of preparation differ widely by region.
Huamei are usually consumed as a snack.
Sauce
A thick, sweet Chinese sauce called
mei jiang (wikt:梅wikt:酱) or
meizi jiang (梅子酱), usually translated as "plum sauce," photo is also made from
ume, along with other ingredients such as sugar, vinegar, salt, ginger, chili, and garlic. Similar to
duck sauce, it is used as a
condiment for various Chinese dishes, including poultry dishes and
egg rolls.
Medicinal use
In traditional Chinese medicine, the smoked fruits, called
wumei (wiktionary:乌wiktionary:梅), is used for medicinal purposes. They are generally black in color and are believed to be effective against
parasites, as well as in stopping
ulcers and promoting a strong digestive system and heart.
Cultural significance
Ume flowers have been well loved and celebrated in both China and Japan. In China, they are most commonly used as decoration during the
Chinese New Year. The blossoms are common subjects in Chinese art and are among the most beloved Chinese flowers. Unlike the Japanese, however, the Chinese see the blossoms as more of a symbol for winter rather than a harbinger of spring. It is precisely for this reason that the blossoms are so beloved, because they bloom most vibrantly amidst the winter snow while all other flowers have long since succumbed to the cold and died. Thus, they are seen as an example of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, and thus has also been used as a metaphor to symbolize revolutionary struggle. Because they blossom in winter, the
ume, the pine, and the
bamboo together have been called the "Three Friends of the Cold" (岁寒三友).
Apart from that, the blossom is one of the "Four Junzi Flowers" (四君子) in China (the others being
orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo) and symbolized nobleness. These are also the four flowers that appear on
mahjong tile sets, where ume is usually simply translated as "plum" in English.
The blossom has long been a floral symbol of the ancient Chinese city of Nanjing. In 1964, the
Executive Yuan of the Republic of China adopted the five-petaled plum blossom ("
prunus mei") as the
national flower of the Republic of China. Government Information Office, Republic of China - National Flower. It also serves as the logo of China Airlines, the national carrier of the Republic of China. The flower features prominently on
New Taiwan Dollar and other national symbols. In mainland China, the flower also features on
Renminbi and other important symbols.
Ume blossoms 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 associated with the
Japanese Bush Warbler, and they are depicted together as one of the twelve Suit (cards) 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).
Etymology
In North America, the fruit and tree are generally known by the Japanese name,
ume. 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
Middle Chinese pronunciation of the character
wikt:梅, which is thought to have been
muəi.Yamaguchi, Y., ed.: "
Kurashi no kotoba: Gogen Jiten", page 103. Kodansha, 1998
See also
Image:Prunus mume0.jpg|
Prunus mume in flower
Notes
External links
- Photo of a package of Korean maesil cha (maesil tea)
UME Diagnostics Limited
This is a description of UME Diagnostics Limited which is one of the BIR's Coporate Subscribers ... Company Profile Contact person: Mr Wes Charlesworth, Managing Director E-mail:
The University of the Middle East Project
The UME Program was more than education; it was also a meeting of the minds. Its intensity and depth brought out the best in my colleagues and me."
Universal Music Group
Japanese Plum (ume) Blossoms
About the Japanese plum or ume. ... When staying at a ryokan, which (Japanese style) meals would you prefer to be included?
UME - Definition by AcronymFinder
Acronym Finder: Definition of UME. What does UME stand for? ... Category Filters > All definitions (6) Information Technology (2) Military & Government (1) Science
UME Forum
Contains new posts since last visit. No new posts since the last visit.
Pfam: Family: UME (PF08064)
Literature references. Staub E, Fiziev P, Rosenthal A, Hinzmann B; , Bioessays 2004;26:567-581.: Insights into the evolution of the nucleolus by an analysis of its protein domain ...
MobileAndEmbedded - Ubuntu Wiki
note: the default password for the kvm image user "ume" is "ubuntu") Work in Progress. Mailing list: http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-mobile
Canon UK - Ume-mon
Browse your favourite Canon products & find out more about our office solutions
Ume Sami - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ume Sami is a Sami language spoken in Sweden and Norway. It is a dying language with only about 10 native speakers left and is spoken mainly along the Ume River in the north of ...
