Suanmeitang

Suanmeitang (Simplified Chinese: 酸梅汤; Traditional Chinese: 酸梅湯; Pinyin: Suānméi tāng) is a traditional Chinese sweet-sour beverage made by simmering smoked dark plums (wumei) with rock sugar and aromatics such as osmanthus or hawthorn. It is named on the Chinese Drink hub as a classic soft drink, especially in summer.

Characteristics

Deep brown-red color; taste balances sour plum with sugar. Served chilled as street or restaurant drink; also bottled commercially.

Ingredients (overview)

Smoked plums (乌梅), rock sugar, water, optional hawthorn, dried tangerine peel, osmanthus. Not the same as fresh plum juice.

History and culture

Longstanding folk cooling drink referenced on Chinese Drink; northern tea-house and street-stall staple that later became an industrial bottled flavor.

Serving and variations

Cold glass or bottle. See Chinese Drink.

See also

• Chinese Drink
• Hong Kong Milk Tea
• Yuenyeung
• Tea
• List of dishes (A-Z)