I was at a fruit shop yesterday and a box of this fruit caught my eye. Have you seen it before?
I hadn’t and I was very very curious so I bought a box to try it. The label said that it was a Yang Mei fruit which I’d never heard of. This Yang Mei (æ¨æ¢…) fruit (Myrica Rubra) is also known as yamamomo (Japanese: yamamomo; kanji: 山桃; katakana: ヤマモモ), Yumberry, Chinese Bayberry, Japanese Bayberry, Red Bayberry, or Chinese strawberry tree. It is what is also sometimes known as “arbutus”. I’d eaten “arbutus” before in pickled or preserved form but this is the first time I’m seeing the fresh fruit!
The fruit is not very big. It is just slightly larger than a 20 sen coin and is spherical.
The fruit I had was dark reddish purple in colour and all you have to do is to wash it and eat it. It is rather like a strawberry in that the taste is tart with a sweet-sour taste. There is a stone seed right in the middle.
I’m very fascinated by this fruit and I can’t wait to let my family try it too. We have been eating the preserved “arbutus” so often during Chinese New Year it would be a refreshing change to finally try the fresh version of the Yangmei fruit!
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You’ve certainly intrigued me with this fruit, I want to give it a try!
That is so cool, it makes me wonder what other kinds of fruit is out there that I have never seen. Love to taste one myself!
what curious looking fruit! at first glance, the second photo looked like a truffle. too bad we probably can’t get it here.
I made an iced tea with yang mei not too long ago. I love these little berries.
http://appetiteforchina.com/yangmei-and-making-berry-iced-teas
Brilynn: I hope you find it where you are. Its certainly interesting.
Chuck: There are loads of fruits I haven’t tasted either. It would be fun to try them all!
Becky: It does look like a truffle doen’t it? Maybe try Chinatown stores to see if they bring it in?
AppetiteforChina: Oh that’s a lovely recipe! I might try that if I have the time this weekend!
Interesting.
I’ve seen an arbutus tree, is this the fruit from that tree?
I couldn’t figure out what it was till you mentioned the preserved bit, then it was… *light bulb moment*
I live in the US and want to buy this really bad. Do you know where I can get the fruit (not juice concentrate)??
I luckily chanced upon your site while looking for the name of this fruit. I am in Shanghai at the moment, I have eaten Yang Mei here during previous postings of my husband and I loved it. I am requesting our F&B to put this fruit on the buffet, it’s in season now and such a shame if guests don’t get the chance to taste this lovely fruit. I like your reviews & opinions and they’ll prove helpful because we’re moving to KL this year. Thanks so much.
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