Visiting China might be very adventurous experience. Not only because of its long history and reach tradition, but also because of its food. You can discover various fruits and vegetables you’ve never seen before. One of those discoveries is Chinese Bayberry (杨梅 Yángméi).
Yangmei - not fully ripe You live in a mountainous region with many small villages hidden between the peaks. Wherever you look, there are fruit plantations. Being an outdoor person you go hiking few times a week. Farmers from nearby villages already know you very well. Sometimes, when passing them by, you’re even being called by name. That is why you’re not surprised when you’re suddenly being called out in the middle of the mountain trail. “Laoshi (Chinese way of addressing a teacher) do you know yangmei? – No, I don’t. – Come here please. This is my tree. Eat as much as you want. It’s very tasty”. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to the statement “eat as much as you want”. You’re coming to study this mysterious fruit closer (and of course try it out). Since it was quite to your liking you ended up eating quite a lot of them. You say your thanks to the farmer and continue your hike. After around 500m you hear again “Laoshi do you know yangmei?”. Since your Chinese isn’t proficient enough to politely refuse another offer, you have no choice but try it again. Before reaching the end of the trail, and being called out a few times, you ended up eating around half a kilo of this fruit… That was good but you probably won’t like to even look at bayberries again this year.
Yangmei - unripe So after the adventure there comes a time for research. What are yangmei?
Yángméi (杨梅) – it’s Chinese name for subtropical tree called Myrica rubra (or more commonly translated as Red Bayberry, Yumberry or Waxberry – from that alone you can guess that it’s definitely a berry of some sort ;o). It’s grown mostly in South-Eastern Asia. It’s a small evergreen tree growing from 5-10m high. It has round, crimson fruit of a size compared to the one of strawberry. There is a single seed inside.
How does it taste? In my opinion similar to blackberries. It’s a little bit sourer though. Is it tasty? I’ve eaten better things in my life but it’s definitely worth trying to eat something new. Try yourself! It’s cheap (usually 10-20 RMB/kg).
Bon appetite!
Yángméi (杨梅) – it’s Chinese name for subtropical tree called Myrica rubra (or more commonly translated as Red Bayberry, Yumberry or Waxberry – from that alone you can guess that it’s definitely a berry of some sort ;o). It’s grown mostly in South-Eastern Asia. It’s a small evergreen tree growing from 5-10m high. It has round, crimson fruit of a size compared to the one of strawberry. There is a single seed inside.
How does it taste? In my opinion similar to blackberries. It’s a little bit sourer though. Is it tasty? I’ve eaten better things in my life but it’s definitely worth trying to eat something new. Try yourself! It’s cheap (usually 10-20 RMB/kg).
Bon appetite!
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