Green Plum: A Complete Guide to Buying Ume Products

The green plum, treasured in Asia for centuries, is increasingly captivating palates across the globe. Whether as a refreshing beverage, an aromatic tea, a savoury snack, or a base for liqueur, its flavour versatility is remarkable. However, many potential buyers are unsure which product is right for their needs. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, introducing various forms of the green plum to help you make an informed choice.

Buyer's Guide: What to Look for in Green Plum Products

Choosing the right product depends heavily on your intended use and personal taste preferences. The following points can help guide your decision.

1. Determine the Intended Use

First, consider how you want to enjoy the green plum. Are you looking for a ready-to-drink plum beverage for quick refreshment, or do you want to prepare traditional Maesil Cha yourself? A Korean plum syrup is the ideal base for this and allows for flexible dosing. For a snack between meals, a green plum snack is perfect, while an Asian plum liqueur or a Chinese plum wine can be an excellent ingredient for cocktails or an accompaniment to meals.

2. Check the Preparation Method and Ingredient List

Green plum products differ significantly in their composition.

• Syrup/Concentrate: These products, often labelled "Plum Tea" or "Plum Extract," must be diluted with water. They go a long way and are also suitable for cooking and baking.
• Ready-to-Drink Beverages: These are pre-mixed and ready to consume immediately. They offer convenience but less flexibility in preparation.
• Preserved Fruits: As preserved green plums, the fruits are conserved and offered as a snack. Pay attention to the fruit content and other ingredients like sugar or spices.
• Alcoholic Beverages: Plum liqueurs and wines are made by macerating the fruits in alcohol. The alcohol content and the type of base spirit (e.g., sorghum baijiu) are key quality indicators here.

3. Origin and Traditional Differences

The processing of green plums has a long tradition in various Asian countries. Korean products like Maesil Cha are often focused on a refreshing tea experience. Chinese varieties include a wide range from sweet-and-sour snacks to complex liqueurs like Chinese plum wine, which is often enjoyed as a digestif or on special occasions. The origin can provide a clue to the expected flavour profile.

Green Plum Selection Guide

Here is a selection of different products that represent the versatility of the green plum.

Nokchawon Plum Tea 480g

What Makes It Special This product is a traditional Korean fruit concentrate, known as Maesil Cha. It is based on an extract of green plums (4.7%) and offers a perfect balance of sweetness and the fruit's natural acidity. The syrup form allows for versatile applications far beyond just a tea beverage.

Pros

• Versatile: Can be prepared with hot or cold water as a plum tea.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent as a glaze for meat, a topping for desserts, or a sweetener in salad dressings.
• Economical: The 480g jar is sufficient for numerous applications.

Best For This concentrate is ideal for those who want to buy an authentic Korean plum syrup to prepare traditional tea or get creative in the kitchen.

Woongjin Green Plum 500ml

What Makes It Special The Woongjin Green Plum is a ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic plum beverage from South Korea. It combines plum and apple extract for a light and subtly fruity taste experience. The drink is fortified with Vitamin C.

Pros

• Ready-to-Drink: No preparation needed, perfect for on-the-go or as a quick refreshment.
• Light Flavour: The combination with apple extract provides a mild, not-too-sweet aroma.
• Convenient Bottle: The 500ml bottle is a suitable serving size.

Best For Perfect for anyone looking for an uncomplicated and refreshing everyday drink and wanting to enjoy the taste of green plum in a lighter form.

Liu Liu Prune Original Green Plum 160g

What Makes It Special According to the manufacturer, this green plum snack consists of ≥90% green plums. The fruits are preserved using a traditional method with sugar, salt, and spices, giving them a crisp texture and a sweet-and-sour flavour.

Pros

• High Fruit Content: Delivers an intense fruit experience.
• Practical Packaging: The fruits are individually wrapped within the 160g bag, making them great for taking on the go and sharing.
• Authentic Taste: The traditional processing preserves the natural fruit aroma.

Best For This snack is a great choice for fans of preserved green plums and for anyone looking for a flavourful alternative to conventional sweets or dried fruits.

Meijian Green Plum Liqueur - Original Flavour 12%Vol, 750ml

What Makes It Special Meijian is a Chinese plum wine (liqueur) with an alcohol content of 12% ABV. It is made from a base of pure sorghum baijiu. According to the manufacturer, hand-picked Puning plums are used and macerated for 90 days to achieve an authentic, balanced taste.

Pros

• High-Quality Base: Using sorghum baijiu as a base provides a clean aroma that doesn't overpower the plum flavour.
• Versatile Enjoyment: Can be enjoyed chilled, on the rocks, or topped with soda.
• Balanced Profile: The liqueur offers a harmonious balance between sweetness and acidity.

Best For This Asian plum liqueur is aimed at connoisseurs and home bartenders looking for a unique cocktail ingredient or who appreciate a light aperitif or digestif for social gatherings.

Discover More Options

The selection presented here offers a first glimpse into the world of the green plum. However, the spectrum of products is even broader, including other types of teas, snacks, and beverage variations.

If we've piqued your curiosity and you'd like to compare more products, you can find a more comprehensive selection in our green plums category.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Maesil Cha?Maesil Cha is the Korean name for a traditional tea made from green plums. It is typically made using a syrup or concentrate of plum extract, sugar, and water, which is then mixed with hot or cold water. It is known for its refreshing, sweet-and-sour taste.

2. What do green plums taste like? Fresh green plums are very sour and astringent. In their processed form—whether as a syrup, snack, or liqueur—they develop a characteristic sweet-and-sour flavour profile with an intense, fruity aroma. The exact taste varies depending on the preparation method and the amount of sugar added.

3. Can you cook with plum syrup? Yes, plum syrup is very versatile in the kitchen. It can be used as a glaze for roasted or grilled meats (especially pork and chicken) to create a sweet and sour crust. It is also suitable as an ingredient for salad dressings, a sweetener in marinades, or a topping for yogurt, ice cream, and other desserts.

Written by: Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer