Its precise natural distribution is uncertain due to extensive cultivation, but is thought to be in southern Asia, between Syria, northern India, and southern and central China, and possibly also southeastern Europe though more likely introduced there.
It is a small deciduous tree or shrub reaching a height of 5-10 m, usually with thorny branches. The are shiny-green, ovate-acute, 2-7 cm long and 1-3 cm broad, with three conspicuous veins at the base, and a finely toothed margin. The flowers are small, 5 mm diameter, with five inconspicuous yellowish-green petals. The fruit is an edible oval drupe 1.5-3 cm long; when immature it is smooth-green, with the consistency and taste of an apple, maturing dark red to purplish-black and eventually wrinkled, looking like a small . There is a single hard stone similar to an olive stone. Over 400 cultivars have been selected.
The tree tolerates a wide range of temperatures and rainfall, though it requires hot summers and sufficient water for acceptable fruiting. Unlike most of the other species in the genus, it tolerates fairly cold winters, surviving temperatures down to about -15°C. This enables the jujube to grow in desert habitats, provided there is access to underground water through the summer. Virtually no temperature seems to be too high in summertime.
The fruits are used in Chinese and Korean , where they are believed to alleviate stress. The jujube-based Australian drink 1-bil avoids making specific stress-related claims, but does suggest drinking 1-bil "when you feel yourself becoming distressed".
Ziziphin, a compound in the leaves of the jujube, suppresses the ability to perceive sweet taste in humans. The fruit, being , is also very soothing to the throat and decoctions of jujube have often been used in pharmacy to treat sore throats.
The freshly harvested as well as the candied dried fruits are often eaten as a snack, or with tea. They are available either red or black , the latter being to enhance their flavour . In mainland China, Korea, and Taiwan, a sweetened tea syrup containing jujube fruits is available in glass jars, and canned jujube tea or jujube tea in the form of teabags is also available. Although not widely available, jujube juice and jujube are also produced.
In China, a wine made from jujubes called ''hong zao jiu'' is also produced. Jujubes are sometimes preserved by storing in a jar filled with ''baijiu'' , which allows them to be kept fresh for a long time, especially through the winter. Such jujubes are called ''jiu zao'' .
In korea jujube is called taejuja ??? and is used in teas. It is said to be helpful in aiding the common cold.
In addition, jujubes, often stoned, are a significant ingredient in a wide variety of Chinese delicacies. In Persian cuisine, the dried drupes are known as ''annab''.
The jujube's sweet smell is said to make teenagers fall in love, and as a result, in the Himalaya and Karakoram regions, men take a stem of sweet smelling jujube flowers with them or put it on their hats to attract women.
In traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, jujube and walnut were often placed in the newlyweds' bedroom as a sign of fertility.
In Japan, the ''natsume'' has given its name to a style of used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
In Korea, the wood is used to make the body of the ''taepyeongso'', a double-reed wind instrument.
Pests and diseases
Witch's brooms, prevalent in China and Korea, is the main disease affecting jujubes, though plantings in North America currently are not affected by any pests or diseases.
Names in other languages
*Arabic - ''ennab'' or ''sedr''
*: - ''bogori''
*: - ''bari hannu''
*: - ''boroi''
*Chinese - ''zǎo''
*Persian - ''annab''
*Sindhi - ''beir''
*Tagalog - ''manzanitas''
*Thai Language - ''Bhud-Saar''
*Turkish - ''hünnap''
* - ''elanthai''
*Telugu - ''regu pandlu''-
*Urdu - ''ennab''
*Vietnamese - ''táo tàu''