Buying Chinese snacks: how to choose dried fruit, plum snacks and mochi

Are you looking to buy Chinese snacks, but not sure which bag best suits your taste? The range of Asian snacks varies widely, from sweet-and-sour plums and candied fruit to red dates and soft mochi. A striking packet tells you very little about the actual flavour, texture or ingredients.

Watch out for three common pitfalls:

• A sweet-looking packet doesn’t mean the snack tastes mild. Dried plums and hawthorn snacks can be sweet, sour and salty all at once.
• A large size isn’t always better value. A 500g pack might be handy for sharing, but it can contain several varieties and sweeteners that not everyone enjoys.
• “Fruit” doesn’t automatically mean unprocessed. Always check the ingredients list for sugar, syrup, salt, sweeteners, preservatives and colourings.

What to look for in Chinese fruit snacks

1. Ingredients and nutritional value

Start with the first ingredients on the label. These are listed in descending order by quantity. With Bestore Candied Hawthorn, the product information states it contains 67.73% hawthorn, supplemented with rock sugar and white sugar. That gives you a much clearer picture than just the product name “candied hawthorn”.

Also compare the nutritional values per 100g. For example, the Bestore hawthorn snack contains 65g of sugar per 100g. That’s useful information if you plan to eat several portions or want to compare different Chinese snacks.

Also look out for warnings:

• Sweeteners: found in many plum snacks and hawthorn products.
• Sulphites: may be present in preserved fruit, such as a mixed plum assortment.
• Allergens: mochi with a milk or filling may contain milk and egg; sesame and nut snacks list these allergens separately.
• Aspartame: some products state they contain a source of phenylalanine and are therefore unsuitable for people with phenylketonuria.

2. Flavour profile and texture

The name gives you a general idea, but the product description provides the practical details:

• Dried plums and plum snacks: usually soft or chewy, with a sweet-and-sour, salty or spicy flavour.
• Hawthorn snacks: often fruity and distinctly sour-sweet. Sweetened hawthorn can be firm, roll-shaped or come in different varieties.
• Red dates and jujube snacks: typically sweet and soft, while crispy jujube slices are crunchy instead.
• Mochi: soft and elastic thanks to glutinous rice flour, often with a fruit and milky filling.
• Chinese fruit snacks: freeze-dried strawberry or other fruit can be light and crunchy, but sometimes contains added sugar.

Choose a soft snack if you want to enjoy it slowly with tea. For on the go, individually wrapped mochi or small bags of dried fruit are more practical.

3. Packaging, portions and storage

A portion size of 60 to 120g is handy for trying a flavour first. Larger packs, such as 280g or 500g, make more sense for families or a snack table. Do check whether the packaging is resealable.

Store dried fruit and candied fruit according to the product information in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and moisture. Seal the opened bag properly. Mochi can become hard after opening; the product information for Bamboo House recommends an airtight container.

Our recommendations by buyer type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Bestore Candied Hawthorn 100g

Why this fits the profile: A straightforward 100g pack to try the distinctive sweet-and-sour taste of candied hawthorn first.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states the hawthorn content of 67.73% and clearly shows the ingredients and nutritional values.

Key benefit & plus points

100g, ready to eat and, according to the product description, also suitable for use in fruit tea.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality

BAMBOO HOUSE Double Filling Mango Mochi 180g

Why this fits the profile: For those looking for a dessert-like snack with multiple textures: a soft glutinous rice layer, mango filling and milky centre.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description specifies the double filling and lists allergens such as milk and egg.

Key benefit & plus points

180g, individually wrapped and made in Taiwan according to the product information provided.

Suitable for: Specific use & heavy users

Be&Cheery King Plum Bucket 500g

Why this fits the profile: The bucket with 70 individual wrappers is designed for sharing, stocking up or regularly taking a plum snack with you.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging and composition make it clear that this is five types of preserved plums, containing sulphites and sweeteners.

Key benefit & plus points

500g, 70 portions and a mix including green plum, waxberry and Suzhou plum.

Suitable for: Red date lovers

HaoXiangNi Crispy Red Jujube Slices 108g

Why this fits the profile: A simple choice for anyone wanting to try red dates in a crunchy, light form without a long ingredients list.

How this product avoids the pitfall

According to the product information, the product consists of red dates with no listed additives.

Key benefit & plus points

108g, crunchy texture and ready to eat straight from the pack.

Frequently asked questions about buying Chinese snacks

Which Chinese snack is suitable for a first try?

A small pack of candied hawthorn, dried plums or crispy red dates is practical to start with. If you prefer a soft dessert-style snack, you can buy mochi. Check beforehand whether you expect a sweet-and-sour, salty or just a mildly sweet flavour.

How do you store Chinese dried fruit after opening?

Store the snack in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal the bag well to limit moisture and flavour loss. After opening, store mochi preferably in an airtight container so the rice layer doesn’t dry out as quickly. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Are Chinese fruit snacks suitable for eating every day?

That depends on your portion size and the ingredients. Dried and candied fruit can contain relatively high amounts of sugar or salt. So check the nutritional information table per 100g and look out for warnings about sweeteners, sulphites and allergens. That way you can choose a snack that fits your diet, without relying on marketing claims.