Suanmeitang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Suanmeitang |
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A bottle of suanmeitang
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| Traditional Chinese | 酸梅湯 | ||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 酸梅汤 | ||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | sour plum drink | ||||||||||||||
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Suanmeitang is a tasty traditional Chinese drink. It is also called sour prune drink. This special beverage is made from smoked plums, rock sugar, and other ingredients like sweet osmanthus flowers. Because it uses sour plums, suanmeitang tastes sweet, sour, and a little bit salty.
You can find suanmeitang in China and in other places where Chinese communities live. People often drink it cold during the hot summer months. It helps them cool down and is one of China's most popular summer drinks. Many people also believe it has small health benefits. For example, it might help with digestion. It could also help your body feel less tired after exercise.
History of Suanmeitang
Suanmeitang has been around for a very long time. People have been enjoying a version of this drink for over 1,000 years! It was first mentioned during the Song Dynasty, which lasted from 960 to 1279 CE. There was even a different kind called "white suanmeitang" during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE).
The recipe we use today became popular in the 1700s. This was during the Qing Dynasty. It is said that the Qianlong Emperor asked for this new recipe. At first, only people in the royal court drank it. Later, a person from Hebei province started making and selling a brand called Xinyuanzhai. This helped make suanmeitang popular with everyone. By the 1980s, companies began to use machines to make huge amounts of suanmeitang. This made it even easier for people to buy and enjoy.
How Suanmeitang is Made
Making suanmeitang involves a few simple steps. First, sour plums are soaked in water. Then, other ingredients are added. These often include haw berries, liquorice root, and sweet osmanthus flowers. Sometimes, rose blossoms are added too.
All these ingredients are boiled together in water. After the first boil, the solid parts are removed. Then, rock sugar is added to the liquid. The mixture is boiled again. Once it has cooled down, it is chilled. This makes it ready to drink and enjoy, especially on a hot day!
