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

About

Dried Black Plum, also known as Wu Mei, is a traditional Chinese fruit valued in herbal practices for its distinctive sour and astringent taste.

It has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and culinary applications for centuries, believed to potentially support overall well-being.

Wu Mei is often incorporated into herbal teas and traditional preparations, offering a unique flavour profile alongside its long-standing place in Chinese practice.

Whether used in cooking, herbal infusions, or traditional blends, dried black plum remains a cherished ingredient.

At Vita, we supply concentrated herbal granules for busy individuals that do not have the time to decoct Chinese herbs traditionally.

Our concentrated granules are made by spray drying, so they dissolve quickly in hot water.

Potential Benefits

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

Natural Compounds: Wu Mei naturally contains polyphenols and flavonoids.

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.

Convenient Format: Dissolves in hot water in seconds, with none of the simmering the whole fruit requires.

Using the Granules

We recommend a couple of grams of concentrated herbal granules per use.

This 100g bottle contains concentrated granules rather than whole fruit. Measure out your amount, add hot water, and stir until fully dissolved. There is nothing to soak, simmer or strain.

Because the granules are concentrated, the sourness is considerably sharper than a light infusion made from the whole fruit. Start with less than you think you need.

The granules can also be stirred into broths and soups. They cannot be used as a whole ingredient in cooking the way the dried fruit can, and they are not suitable for grinding into a seasoning.

Store in a cool, dark place with the lid closed, and use a dry spoon. Granules draw in moisture easily.

Other Formats of This Herb

If you would rather work with the whole dried fruit, Wu Mei is also stocked loose:

• Dried Black Plum (Wu Mei) | 100g the smaller pack, good for trying it first
• Dried Black Plum (Wu Mei) | 500g the bulk pack for regular use

What to Use It With

Wu Mei is rarely used on its own. These are the ones most often combined with it:

• Dried Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha) | 100g the other sour fruit in the range, frequently paired with Wu Mei
• Dried Orange Peel (Chen Pi) Granules | 100g bottle another granule in the same format
• Dried Liquorice Root (Gan Cao) | 500g added to balance the sourness

Browse the full range in our Botanical Extract Granules collection.

Why Choose Vita?

Every herb we sell at Vita Herbal Nutrition is non-sulphur treated and chosen for use in the kitchen and in traditional preparation.

We offer a completely sulphur-free herb collection. Unlike many others who use sulphur to improve appearance and extend shelf life, this treatment can affect the herb’s natural properties and may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. You can read more on our non-sulphur treated herbs page.

We follow the DaoDi principle of choosing each herb from the area traditionally associated with it, and we have worked with the same supply partners since 2010.

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.

What compounds does dried black plum contain?
Dried black plum naturally contains plant compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids.

How much should I use?
A couple of grams stirred into hot water. The granules are concentrated, so start with less than you think you need.

What does it taste like?
Sharply sour with a smoky edge, more intense than an infusion made from the whole fruit.

What is the difference between the granules and the whole fruit?
The granules are a concentrated extract that dissolves in hot water in seconds. The whole dried fruit needs simmering, but can also be used in cooking and as a seasoning.