Preserved dried plums, commonly known as "wu mei gan" in Chinese, are a popular treat. They are made through a process of smoking and sun-drying ripe plums (typically from the Japanese apricot/Prunus mume fruit). The result is a chewy, wrinkled snack with an intense sweet, sour, and slightly salty flavor profile. They are not only eaten as a snack but also valued in traditional Chinese medicine for their ability to aid digestion and relieve thirst.