Jujuba (Ziziphus jujuba)

Other names: Chinese cicada, date cicada, spiny jujube, spiny jujube

The jujube, also known as the Chinese, date, spiny or thorn tree, is an extremely interesting tree with many uses. Native to Asia, these fruits are relatives of our native species of the genus ziziphus, the cicimcus. It can be grown in most parts of central Europe if the site is well protected from frost. In its native country it grows up to 12 metres tall, in our country it is often only 2-3 metres tall. It has alternate, glossy, oval leaves which are softly hairy on the underside. The shrub is deciduous and loses its leaves in winter. The oval fruit is green, gradually turning yellow and ripening to a dark red, about 2-4 cm in size.

The jujube fruit can be eaten raw and has a mild sweet to musky taste. The jujube is nicknamed 'Chinese date' because of its specific shape and aroma. Ripe jujube fruits are used in the food industry to make jams, jellies, beverages and dried fruits are popular as a healthy snack. In traditional Chinese medicine, jujube is used for its medicinal properties - it is anti-inflammatory, strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on digestion and has a positive effect on sleep quality. In addition, various preparations used in cosmetics and pharmacy are made from the leaves and bark of the tree.