Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A salty, tart condiment made from pickled Japanese plums.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Japanese : ume, Japanese plum + hoshi, dried (from hosu, to dry).]

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Examples

  • The Japanese plum called umeboshi also helps to maintain the blood's alkalinity as well as adding flavor to many dishes.

    William Spear: Radiation Emergency Measures You Can Take Now William Spear 2011

  • The Japanese plum called umeboshi also helps to maintain the blood's alkalinity as well as adding flavor to many dishes.

    William Spear: Radiation Emergency Measures You Can Take Now William Spear 2011

  • The Japanese plum called umeboshi also helps to maintain the blood's alkalinity as well as adding flavor to many dishes.

    William Spear: Radiation Emergency Measures You Can Take Now William Spear 2011

  • A proper Japanese liquor cabinet will include all of them, as well as Midori (a Japanese melon liqueur), yuzu juice and maybe a jar of umeboshi, which is pickled ume fruit (similar to plums).

    News On Japan denverpost.com 2010

  • They each contain three pinkish "umeboshi" (salted, dry plums), but those on one of the plates have been preserved for just one year; the ones on the other plate - whose skins are a little more wrinkled - are three years old.

    News On Japan Japan Times 2010

  • They each contain three pinkish "umeboshi" (salted, dry plums), but those on one of the plates have been preserved for just one year; the ones on the other plate - whose skins are a little more wrinkled - are three years old.

    News On Japan Japan Times 2010

  • Onigiri with umeboshi furikake, microwave egglog, carrot flowers, grapes and an English mint biscuit.

    Bento #210 and 211 « Were rabbits 2009

  • Sushi, takoyaki, yakitori and umeboshi as well are favourites, but otherwise, I have mostly been introduced to nabe, yakiniku, sashimi, fisheyes and a lot of different - don: s.

    Are Japanese scared of tourists? 2009

  • I read a bunch of books and cookbooks, but so many of the ingredients were unknown to me umeboshi paste, burdock root, daikon radish that I found myself tied in knots.

    Howie Jacobson: Intent Is More Important Than Technique Howie Jacobson 2012

  • I would say that it did translate very well for an American audience, even while being riddled with talks of green tea, umeboshi eating contests, and samurai jokes … if you are looking for something to read for fun over the summer, pick up All You Need Is KILL.

    Pop Culture Shock on All You Need Is KILL « Haikasoru: Space Opera. Dark Fantasy. Hard Science. 2009

Comments

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  • The weirdest taste.

    January 3, 2009

  • It is weird. A strange kind of hollow pleasure, like the weightless feeling you get immediately on being thumped in the belly. And at the same time that astringency, that sourness, that feels so pure and palliative.

    January 3, 2009

  • I desperately need to improve my vocabulary; can you recommend any good internet resources;)

    January 4, 2009

  • But what is it?

    June 12, 2009

  • pickled plum (with the pit still in). unexpectedly briny.

    June 12, 2009

  • They're one of those special foods with something extra to them, which leave you feeling exalted, like oysters or good scotch.

    June 12, 2009

  • I remember these from watching "Grave of the Fireflies." (Incidentally, the saddest movie ever made.)

    June 12, 2009

  • Sad and beautiful.

    June 13, 2009