Posted 2016/6/29
This deep purple favorite is made from sour plums, licorice, sweet osmanthus, hawthorn and sugar - boiled and cooled. You can buy it bottled, or as liquid concentrate and powder.
This cooling drink is believed to have health benefits, aid digestion and offset the harmful effects of spicy food and hot pot.
Suanmei tang has a history of more than 1,000 years and is popular throughout China and overseas in Chinese communities. The most popular recipe was developed for the Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) during the early 18th century.
It is made by first soaking sour plums in water, adding hawthorn, licorice root and sweet osmanthus and then boiling the mixture. Rose petals may be added later. Rock sugar is added, then it's boiled again and cooled.
All those steps - that's why no one makes it at home
