Choosing a Chinese plum snack: how to find a flavour that really suits you

A Chinese plum snack can be sweet-and-sour, salty, spicy, soft or firm. Yet many packets look alike. As a result, you can easily end up with a bag that’s too salty, tastes mostly sweet, or turns out to be less suitable for the use you had in mind.

The main pitfalls are usually not in the packaging, but in the details:

• Flavour descriptions are too vague. “Sweet and sour” tells you little about the balance of sugar, salt, acid and spices.
• A large size may seem good value, but doesn’t always suit your needs. For occasional snacking, 60 to 90 grams is often more practical than a 454-gram pack.
• Sweeteners and preservatives are overlooked. Always check the ingredients list and warnings, especially for aspartame, sulphites and other additives.
• Nutritional values aren’t always directly comparable. Some labels list sugar differently or use different nutritional databases. Use the product’s packaging as your guide.

What to look for in dried and preserved plums

1. Decide on the flavour profile first

A Chinese plum snack is usually prepared in one of these ways:

• Sweet-and-sour plums: often soft or semi-soft, with sugar, salt and an acidity regulator.
• Salted plums: distinctly savoury and sour; ideal for those who enjoy a bold flavour.
• Dried plums: typically firmer and longer-lasting after opening if you seal the bag properly.
• Preserved plums: generally juicier or softer, with a clear salty, sour or spicy taste.
• Sour plum snack with liquorice: recognisable by a slightly spicy, rounded aftertaste.
• Ume plums: the term “ume” usually refers to an Asian style of pickled plum. Check the ingredients and origin to see exactly what you’re buying.

If you’re looking for a mild snack, it’s best to start with a product where sugar is relatively prominent. For a salty or savoury preference, look instead at the salt content and the presence of liquorice, chilli or other flavourings.

2. Check ingredients and warnings

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If sugar or salt appears near the top, that gives you an initial idea of the flavour profile. Also look out for:

• Aspartame (E951): contains a source of phenylalanine. This is stated, for example, on Laiyifen Milk Flavor Plums and Jiajianzheng Prune.
• Sulphites: found in products such as UME HOUSE Green-Style Ume Plums, LiUM Preserved Green Plum and X.O Salted White Plum.
• Sweeteners: products with sucralose, saccharin or steviol glycosides can taste different from plums made with regular sugar.
• Preservatives: for example, potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate.

A brand may use terms like “refreshing”, “appetite-stimulating” or “healthy”. Don’t take such descriptions as guaranteed effects. According to a brand’s own research, these claims may be part of their product communication. When making your choice, look for verifiable information such as ingredients, net weight, nutritional values and usage instructions.

3. Choose the size based on how you’ll use it

For a snack in your bag, at the office or while travelling, portions of 60 to 130 grams are manageable. Individually wrapped plums are handy when you want to share or don’t want to open the pack all at once.

Larger packs make most sense when you also use plums for:

• a sour plum drink with hot or cold water;
• sauces, soups and stews;
• marinades for fish or meat;
• a flavour enhancer in steamed dishes.

After opening, follow the storage instructions. Generally, keep dried plums in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and well sealed. For Chaoshan Collection Salty-Sour Plum, the label states that refrigeration is needed after opening. Always follow the instructions on the specific product.

Our recommendations by buyer type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90g

Why this suits the profile: The mixed flavours offer an easy introduction to different types of dried plum. The 90g bag is ideal for trying at home or on the go.

How this product avoids the pitfall

You don’t have to buy a large stock straight away or choose one strong flavour. Do check the stated 3.0g salt per 100g and the presence of sweeteners.

Key benefit & highlights

Assortment of plum flavours, 90g pack and ready to eat straight away.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality

UME HOUSE Green-Style Ume Plums 130g

Why this suits the profile: The 130g pack suits those who regularly enjoy a traditional ume-style plum snack and value a portable size.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information lists clear ingredients: green plum, salt, sugar and acidity regulator. Be aware of the sulphite warning.

Key benefit & highlights

130g net weight, individually wrapped according to the product description, and ready to eat.

Suitable for: Specific use & heavy users

Sunlee Salted Plum 454g

Why this suits the profile: The large size is designed for frequent use as a snack, ingredient, flavour enhancer or base for a plum drink.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Its use goes beyond just snacking. With a salty flavour, you can rinse the plums according to the product information or use them in sauces, soups and stews.

Key benefit & highlights

454g pack, suitable for cooking and drinks, with ingredients including plum, water, salt, citric acid and acetic acid.

Frequently asked questions about Chinese plum snacks

What’s the difference between dried and preserved plums?

Dried plums usually have a firmer texture and are intended for eating straight away. Preserved plums are often softer and may contain extra salt, acid, spices or moisture. Both types can be used in Chinese snacks, but preserved varieties are more often used in drinks and savoury dishes.

How should I store Chinese plum snacks after opening?

Keep the pack in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal an opened bag tightly to prevent drying out and moisture absorption. If the label says the product needs to be refrigerated after opening, follow that instruction. Also check the best-before date on the packaging.

Are snacking plums suitable for everyone?

That depends on the ingredients. Pay particular attention to the salt content, the sweeteners used, and any warnings about phenylalanine or sulphites. If you need to avoid these substances, it’s a good idea to read the label carefully before making your purchase.