{"id":"recipe_8f565a48ec","slug":"sour-plum-drink-suanmeitang","title":"Sour Plum Drink (Suanmeitang)","description":"A classic, refreshing East Asian beverage known for its smoky, sweet, and tart profile. Traditionally served chilled, it is a popular cooling drink used to balance rich or spicy meals.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"50g smoked plums (wumei)","name":"Plum","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"wumei","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"30g dried hawthorn berries (shanzha)","name":"Berries","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"shanzha","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"5g licorice root (gancao)","name":"Licorice Root","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.2,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried slices","notes":"gancao","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"5g dried tangerine peel (chenpi)","name":"Tangerine Peel","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.2,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"chenpi","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"5g dried roselle (luoshenhua)","name":"Roselle","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.2,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"for color and tartness","group":"base","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2000ml water","name":"Water","quantity":2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"qt","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"150g rock sugar","name":"Rock sugar","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"crystals","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"sweetener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp dried sweet osmanthus","name":"Sweet Osmanthus","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dried flowers","notes":"for garnish and aroma","group":"garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the smoked plums, hawthorn berries, licorice root, tangerine peel, and roselle under cold running water to remove any dust.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the smoked plums, hawthorn berries, licorice root, tangerine peel","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place the rinsed ingredients in a large pot with 2 liters (2.1 qt) of water and let them soak for 30 to 60 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the rinsed ingredients","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 45 to 60 minutes until the liquid is fragrant and concentrated.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the pot to a boil","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the rock sugar to the pot and stir until it is completely dissolved.","group":"Finishing","title":"Add the rock sugar","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, discarding the solids. Stir in the dried sweet osmanthus or sprinkle it on top.","group":"Finishing","title":"Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Allow the drink to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold before serving.","group":"Storage","title":"Allow the drink to cool","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Storage"}],"notes":"For a deeper flavor, you can dry-toast the smoked plums and hawthorn berries slightly before soaking. Adjust the rock sugar to your preferred sweetness level.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":[],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["large pot","fine mesh sieve","pitcher"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"l","note":"Yields approximately 2 liters of drink"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This drink can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days in advance."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Keep refrigerated in a sealed pitcher.","reheatingNotes":"Can be served warm if preferred during colder months."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8f565a48ec%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a8e45051-688a-49f5-a222-a0f89f6c5a4e","imageAlt":"Sour Plum Drink (Suanmeitang) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cooling","herbal","sweet","tart","summer drink"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sour Plum Drink (Suanmeitang)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:51:37.155Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:51:37.155Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_2c82edfdd6","slug":"bubble-milk-tea-boba","title":"Bubble Milk Tea (Boba)","description":"A classic and refreshing Taiwanese beverage featuring chewy tapioca pearls, rich black tea, and creamy milk sweetened with brown sugar syrup.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Taiwanese"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2c82edfdd6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2e27bc2e-0205-4c47-ad10-1e57c0098135","imageAlt":"Bubble Milk Tea (Boba) — recipe cover","tags":["boba","bubble tea","taiwanese","milky","sweet","cold drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6}]}