Best Prune Mui Recipe (2024)

Best Prune Mui Recipe (1)

October 11, 2019 Brooke Wong

Best Prune Mui Recipe (2)

You may have noticed that wet crack seed products like Prune Mui are getting harder and harder to find. Now you can make your own at home! It's pretty simple, but does require a little patience.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 days

Yield: About 3 pounds of Mui that can be split into smaller containers

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Red Li Hing Mui
  • Juice from one Lemon
  • Brown Sugar
  • Water
  • 14 oz Prunes
  • 14 oz Apricots
  • 2.5 oz Dried Lemon Strip

Instructions

  1. Make a simple syrup with 3 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar and the juice of one lemon. (The citric acid will help preserve your Mui, so don't leave out the lemon juice.) Bring to a boil.
  2. Pour boiling liquid over your one pound of Red Li Hing Mui and let soak for at least 48 hours.
  3. After 48 hours drain the liquid. You can keep the seed to eat wet like that or add a portion back into your Prune Mui later. But be warned that adding the seed back in may make your mixture a little bitter. We like to eat the wet seed as is or add them to a bottle of Margarita Mix!!
  4. Reheat the liquid in a pot and another cup of brown sugar. Bring to a boil for about 10-15 minutes. If it boils down too much you can add a little more water in this step. Just keep your eye on it and make sure you have enough to cover your dried fruit.
  5. While the sauce is still hot pour it over your dried prunes and apricots. Soak for 24 hours covered.
  6. Add in your Dried Lemon Strip or any other dried fruits that you like. You can also add back some of the Red Li Hing Mui at this point. (Some people like dried cranberries or Dried Mango in their Prune Mui. We like ours plain.)
  7. Pour into a clean, dry glass container and cover. Your Prune Mui should be ready in about two weeks. My aunty lets her's sit for one month. We don't have that kind of patience and want to eat it right away!

    Pro Tip: Watch out for the sauce it will stain everything red if you spill it!!

    There are lot's of other recipes out there for Prune Mui, but most of them call for Whiskey and Chinese Five Spice. In our opinion, this whiskey free version tastes better!

    Please let us know if you make this and don't forget to tag us on Instagram if you post it. Also, if you want to make a larger batch just triple the recipe.

    Filed in: Food, Hawaii, Recipe

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    Comments

    Anita Peterson - September 13, 2022

    Hi. I’m trying this recipe for the first time. Can I refrigerate it after it’s ready?
    Mahalo for sharing this recipe.

    Anita Peterson - August 3, 2022

    Hi. I’m trying this recipe for the first time. Can I refrigerate it after it’s ready?
    Mahalo for sharing this recipe.

    Gloria Harrison - August 23, 2022

    I don’t have access to dried lemon peel. Can I use fresh grated lemon zest insead?

    Lorna Cummings-Poe - July 7, 2021

    My mo’opuna are loving it! I may have to hide it from them! Mahalo!

    Lorna Poe - July 7, 2021

    My batch was a success! Mahalo for sharing the recipe. The mo’opuna are loving it…gonna hide it from them tonight!😜👍🏽

    Coleen Kaanehe - January 20, 2021

    Thanks Amber, you are so correct. The grayish color really disappoints me. Wrong lemon peel.

    Claire C Labajo - January 21, 2021

    I’m giving the prune mui as a Christmas gift. Can I leave it out side or in the refrigerator?

    Rachel - April 1, 2020

    Thank you for this recipe! How long does prune mui last? And how should I store the prune mui? Mahalo!

    Stacy - March 12, 2020

    Hi can you use the juice for other things too or is it specifically for the prune mui? Mahalo for your time and response.

    amber - January 10, 2020

    never use the white lemon peel or all will turn greyish. wont be pretty. but will still taste good, and remove the seeds out of each lemon peel to or be bitter :) yummmmmmm

    Leave a comment

    Best Prune Mui Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you eat prune mui? ›

    Prune mui is a local favorite in Hawaii. It is a preserve of dried fruits, the sweet and sour sauce is addicting and most times you eat the fruits with your fingers, licking them after putting some into your mouth (well, I usually do this). I tried the recipe from Hawaii State Representative Roy Takumi's pamphlet.

    How is Li Hing Mui made? ›

    Li hing mui powder is made of ground plum skin that has previously been pickled in a combination of licorice, red food coloring, salt, sugar, and occasionally aspartame and or saccharine. It can be used as a flavoring, usually sprinkled on candy and other fruits, notably pineapples, mangoes, guavas and apples.

    How long after eating prunes do they work? ›

    How quickly prunes or prune juice will work depends on each individual. Some will see results in as little as a few hours. For some, it may take a day or so. Using this “go-slow” approach makes you more likely to improve symptoms without rapid urgency or even diarrhea.

    Should you soak prunes in water before eating? ›

    How To Eat Prunes? Ayurveda recommends consuming prunes that were soaked in water for at least 2 to 3 hours, for better absorption of the nutrients by the digestive tract.

    Is Li Hing Mui Chinese or Hawaiian? ›

    Fact 1: Li Hing Mui was Originally a Chinese Tradition

    Originally, salty and sour li hing mui plums were dried and eaten as they were, but Hawaiian traditions are especially rooted in li hing mui powders, which are created by grinding and pickling the skins of those plums for a unique and adaptable ingredient.

    Is Tajin the same as Li Hing Mui? ›

    If you're familiar with the Mexican fruit seasoning tajin, or the candy lucas, li hing is the sweeter, milder version of that.

    What is the difference between Tajin and Li Hing Mui? ›

    They both have a salty and sour taste but the difference is that Tajin contains a little bit more of a kick. Making these different snacks are so easy and will not leave you fifty dishes to wash. One of my favorite snacks are the Li Hing Mui gummy bears.

    What is the English of li hing mui? ›

    This translates to “talking plum.” If you're ever invited to a Chinese person's house to play cards or mahjong they will offer you tea and a handful of dried plums or sunflower seeds to eat while talking story and hanging out.

    Is chamoy like li hing mui? ›

    The precise origins of chamoy are uncertain. There are three main pathways that they may have been introduced to Mexico, as well as the origin of the name. All of them ultimately originate from the Chinese Li Hing Mui (Huà Méi 話梅) snacks, made from dried, sour, and salty plums or berries.

    Does li hing mui powder expire? ›

    Hawaii Li Hing Mui Powder has a long shelf life and can stay fresh for up to six months if stored properly in a cool, dry place.

    When should you not eat prunes? ›

    High in potassium

    On the other hand, if you follow a low-potassium diet due to conditions such as chronic kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may recommend that you avoid prunes. A 1/4-cup portion (40 grams, or about 5 prunes) contains 293 milligrams of potassium.

    What does eating 2 prunes a day do? ›

    1 But some emerging research suggests prunes might offer more than constipation relief. Eating prunes every day can improve cholesterol levels while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, according to two new studies presented at the American Society for Nutrition's flagship conference in July.

    Can eating too many prunes be harmful? ›

    Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, prunes may support GI and bone health and offer antioxidant protection. But eating too many can lead to diarrhea and GI issues.

    Can we eat prunes directly? ›

    Prunes can be eaten dried as they are, although they are sometimes stewed for dessert or processed into prune juice. Eating too many prunes can lead to digestive side effects, including diarrhea and laxative dependence.

    How do you eat Li Hing Mui plum? ›

    You can find li hing sold in two main ways: whole, or as a powder. Most people eat whole li hing like they would a piece of hard candy, and spit out the pit when they're done with it. The whole form comes in many varieties: dried, or drenched in li hing sauce; with the pit, or without it.

    Can you eat prune plums raw? ›

    While you can eat these raw like any other stone fruit, they are best cooked. Their firmer texture holds up well, even when made into a jam or sauce, and their more concentrated but less sweet flavor means that they are a wonderful addition to baked goods like coffee cake or scones.

    Should you eat prunes before or after you eat? ›

    If you're wondering whether you can eat prunes on an empty stomach, Bonci says you absolutely can and that they are great on their own or can be incorporated into a variety of dishes.

    References

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