common jujube
Quick Summary
The common jujube, Ziziphus jujuba, is a tree native to China that has been cultivated for over 4,000 years. It is a spiny tree, typically growing 25 to 30 feet tall, with oval-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers.1
The tree produces plum-like fruits that are dark brown when ripe. These fruits are edible and can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked in various ways. They are also used to flavor tea and make candies. The raw fruits are a good source of vitamin C. When prepared with honey and sugar syrup, they can resemble Persian dates and are sometimes called Chinese dates. The leaves of the tree are also used in China to feed tussah silkworms.12
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