The benefits and effects of sour plum drink are best known for promoting salivation, quenching thirst, stimulating the appetite and cutting through greasiness

Sour plum drink is a traditional Chinese summer cooler that has been around for a long time. It is usually made with smoked plums (black plums) as the main ingredient, simmered together with hawthorn, licorice, dried tangerine peel, osmanthus and rock sugar. The finished drink has a clear brownish-red color and a refreshing sweet-and-sour taste, making it a common homemade beverage in summer.

From the perspective of traditional dietary experience, the benefits and effects of sour plum drink are mainly reflected in promoting salivation, quenching thirst, stimulating the appetite and cutting through greasiness. Drinking a cup on a hot day or after a greasy meal often relieves dry mouth and the feeling of greasiness, which is why it is so popular. However, it is, after all, just an ordinary beverage with mild effects. It cannot replace medicine, and it should not be promoted as a cure for disease.

Making sour plum drink at home is not complicated. You can first soak the smoked plums, hawthorn and other ingredients for a while, then add water and simmer gently over low heat until the flavors come out, and finally sweeten with rock sugar. It tastes even better after cooling or chilling briefly. Once made, sour plum drink is best drunk as soon as possible, as it easily turns sour and develops an off taste if stored too long.

There are also a few points to keep in mind when drinking it. Sour plum drink contains a fair amount of sugar, so people who need to control their blood sugar or reduce their sugar intake should drink it in moderation. People with sensitive stomachs should not drink large amounts on an empty stomach, to avoid irritating the digestive tract. When buying commercially sold sour plum drink, check the ingredient list and shelf life, and try to choose products with simple ingredients and few additives.