Preserving a Jar of Spring's Essence - The Fragrance of Green Plums

Morning light filters through the mist, revealing emerald-like fruits adorning the plum trees on the backyard hillside. A mountain breeze brushes the branches, setting the green fruits swaying gently, carrying the wild aroma of the hills as they quietly herald the arrival of midsummer—nature's most enchanting seasonal gift. Nourished by morning dew and mountain springs, the daily temperature variations allow each green plum to accumulate abundant acidity and sweetness. Upon closer inspection, a delicate white frost coats their surfaces; fingertips graze their velvety, downy texture. Ripe fruits glow with a faint yellow hue, while unripe ones shimmer in fresh green, still cool with morning dew. On a clear day at sunrise, the plums glisten softly among the leaves. After all preparations are complete, baskets and scissors in hand, we tread through the dewy grass to begin harvesting. Each year, the hotel selects a nimble, graceful person to climb the trees, carefully picking to avoid damaging branches while ensuring safety. As baskets fill with plums, the rustling leaves, squirrels scampering up trunks, birdsong, and cheerful chatter compose a symphony unique to the mountain forest. Green plums can be preserved in many ways. Washed and dried, they're layered with salt in earthen jars; after half a month, they transform into savory pickled plums, perfect with congee. Alternatively, crystallized with rock sugar, they become sweet candied treats for tea time. Sliced and sun-dried, they add a distinctive tang to dishes. Finally, the finest plums are selected, washed, and layered with rock sugar and high-proof liquor in glass jars. Sealed away in a cool, ventilated spot, the liquid gradually turns golden. During the wait, anticipation for the rich plum wine builds—three months later, unsealing the jar releases an orchard's worth of fragrance. Green plums carry countless cherished memories—not just a harvest from nature, but an emotional keepsake. They invite you into the wild to pluck this sweet-tart gift, distilling summer's beauty into life's warmest poetry, slowing the rush of days. Gather under the osmanthus trees, as the ancients did, to brew wine, sip tea, admire blossoms, and gaze at the moon... Simmering plums in wine isn't about heroes, but simple joys—celebrating the season's bounty and savoring the present's peace. Lijiang Naxi Garden Resort Hotel