Dried Black Plum (Wu Mei) | (100g)

About

Wu Mei, or dried black plum, is one of those ingredients that holds a special place in both traditional Chinese kitchens and herbal traditions. Known for its bold, sour taste and deep, slightly smoky aroma, it’s used in everything from soothing teas to flavour-packed soups.

This 100g pack is ideal if you're new to Wu Mei or just need a smaller amount on hand for occasional recipes. It’s enough for a few pots of tea or to experiment with adding the plums into your cooking. The flavour is intense, tart and savoury, and definitely not your average sweet dried fruit. That’s what makes it so unique.

Potential Benefits of Dried Black Plum 100g

Sour and Astringent: Wu Mei's pronounced sourness is its defining quality, and the reason it is used to balance richer, sweeter ingredients.

Antioxidant: Wu Mei is potentially rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. These compounds may help protect the body against oxidative stress and could contribute to overall wellbeing.

Digestive Tradition: Long included in traditional preparations enjoyed after meals, alongside the other sour fruits in the range.

Traditional Heritage: One of the best known preserved fruits in Chinese practice, used for centuries in both cooking and herbal blends.

Versatile: Suits teas, broths, sauces, and savoury dishes alike.

Recommended Usage

• Simmered in hot water to make a simple tea, sour, warming, and perfect after a heavy meal. Just simmer 2 to 3 plums (roughly 10g) in a small pot of water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can drink it on its own or combine it with other herbs if you like.
• Added to broths and stews for a subtle tartness that cuts through richer flavours.
• Ground into powder (called Wu Mei San) and sprinkled over rice or veggie dishes.
• Combined with other herbs in traditional blends and infusions.

We recommend starting with around 10g per use, which is usually a few pieces depending on their size. You can adjust based on taste or recipe.

When using dried black plum in cooking or herbal preparations, follow proper recipes or consult a knowledgeable source to ensure safe and effective use.

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Other Formats of This Herb

Wu Mei is stocked in three forms, so you can pick whichever suits how you plan to use it:

• This 100g pack is the whole dried fruit in the smaller size, good for trying it first
• Dried Black Plum (Wu Mei) | 500g the bulk pack if you cook with it regularly
• Wu Mei Concentrated Granules | 100g bottle dissolves in hot water in seconds, though it cannot be used in cooking the way the whole fruit can

What to Use It With

Wu Mei is rarely the only ingredient. These are the ones most often used alongside it:

• Dried Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha) | 100g the other sour fruit in the range, often simmered together
• Dried Liquorice Root (Gan Cao) | 500g added to balance the sourness
• Dried Orange Peel (Chen Pi) | 100g a natural partner in both teas and slow-cooked dishes

Browse the full range in our DaoDi Culinary Herbs collection.

Why Choose Vita?

• Sulphur-free, no preservatives or artificial treatments,
• DaoDi-grown Culinary Herbs, meaning it comes from the right regions, harvested at the right time,
• Carefully dried and packed to preserve flavour and integrity.

If you’re curious about traditional ingredients or just want to explore bold new flavours, this 100g bag is a great way to get started.

FAQ

What is dried black plum (Wu Mei) used for?
Dried black plum is traditionally used in Chinese herbal practices and cooking, valued for its sour, slightly smoky character.

Does dried black plum contain antioxidants?
Dried black plum is potentially rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which could help protect the body from oxidative stress.

What does Wu Mei taste like?
It’s sour, slightly salty, and has a bit of smokiness. Definitely not sweet like snack plums. It works well in savoury recipes and herbal teas.

How many plums are in a 100g pack?
It varies with the size of the fruit, but 100g is roughly enough for several pots of tea at the suggested 10g per use.

Should I remove the stones?
The stones are usually left in when simmering for tea and strained out afterwards. If you are grinding the fruit into powder, remove them first.

How should I store it?
Keep sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.