Japanese Apricot - Ume Tree

Prunis mume flowers in January and February. Plum blossoms are often depicted in Japanese art and it is indeed hand painted on the kimono I purchased for Tane Sakura. Although it is called a plum it is actually an apricot tree and it originally came from China. Ume juice is extracted from the fruit and is sweet and tangy and served chilled. Ume liquor is also known as plum wine and is sweet and smooth. The Ume blossoms are a symbol of spring and were originally preferred over the cherry blossom tree.