Why Is Yangmei Called Superfruit? You may know it by another name. Some people call it bayberry. Others say it’s waxberry.
You may have heard it called the yamamomo or the Chinese strawberry. Or perhaps you know it as yumberry! Yangmei is a small, round, purple fruit.
It looks like a berry, but it’s actually categorized as a drupe. The outside of the fruit is bumpy, similar to a blackberry. There’s also a pit at the center like you would find in a cherry.
How is yangmei produced? It grows on an evergreen tree that’s native to eastern Asia. It’s especially common in China, but can also be found in Japan and other parts of the continent.
How do you eat Yangmei? Simple. Pop them in your mouth and spit out the stone. Being a natural product, certain little bugs tend to enjoy these tasty fruits as much as humans do. However, they are easily evicted from their yangmei hangouts with a little cleaning.
What does yangmei taste like? It’s been described as having a tart flavor, much like a strawberry or raspberry. Some also say it has a somewhat herbal taste. It’s popular in juice, tea, jam, or just by itself! Many people also eat yangmei as a dried fruit.
A decade ago, the sweet and sour fruit was rebranded as the yumberry in the United States (where it is sold in juice and powder form, but not fresh, due to an import ban on the live fruit) to stand out from other exotic “superfoods.”
You can find it in flavored waters and similar products. However, it’s been grown and eaten as fresh fruit in China for over 2,000 years.
The tree that produces yangmei has long been grown for its medicinal uses. People have used its bark to treat poisoning, skin conditions, and injuries. The fruits themselves are high in antioxidants.
These are thought to help protect the cells and promote brain and heart health. Even the pits are sometimes used as a medicine for cholera patients.
It has been used by Chinese health practitioners for centuries to treat several ailments of the body. Following are some of the health benefits:
*Protects your heart health
*Good for eyesight and reduces cataracts risk
*Reduces your blood pressure LDL- lower bad cholesterol
*Fights inflammation
*Fortifies your cell membranes
*Cleanses stomach and intestines
*Quenches thirst and effective to cure diarrhea
*Boosts the immune system
The benefits of Yumberry is not confined to the above said things, but it also help strengthens the elasticity of blood vessels while slowing down the collapse of collagen which in turn helps in keeping your skin smooth, firm and wrinkle-free.
With all that said, the leaves, bark together with the fruit has been used as an astringent, antidote and anti-diarrhetic in traditional Chinese medication.
Content for this question contributed by Carrie March, resident of Concord, Contra Costa County, California, USA
