Introduction:This summer, the "Plum Lemonade" launched by Gu Ming was made with preserved plums, perfumed lemons, and small green oranges. It claimed to deliver a sweet, sour, and icy flavor, but many consumers reported that the saltiness was overpowering, the lemon peel was noticeably bitter, and in some takeout orders, the preserved plums were separately packaged and had to be added manually—sparking widespread discussion. This article delves into the actual flavor profile of this new product, consumer feedback, and the practicalities and possible reasons behind the separate packaging of preserved plums in takeout orders.
During the peak of summer, an ice-cold glass of lemonade can bring a moment of refreshment, yet the newly launched "Plum Lemonade" from Gu Ming this year has left many customers disappointed. Dubbed by netizens as the "flat version of salty lemon seven," this drink combines perfumed lemons, small green oranges, and pickled preserved plums. It is marketed as offering a rich sweet and sour iced experience without carbonation. Its visual design is also quite refreshing: in a transparent frosted cup float half a lemon, a small green orange, and a preserved plum—creating a highly summery and cooling aesthetic.
Official materials state that this drink uses fresh perfumed lemons paired with small green oranges and one pickled salty preserved plum, aiming to create a non-carbonated yet equally flavorful sweet and sour iced beverage. From the promotional images, the overall color scheme and composition are quite appealing, naturally raising expectations for its taste. However, many consumers noted after trying it that the saltiness of the preserved plum dominated the initial sip—the first flavor that hit was an unmistakable saltiness, rather than the anticipated fresh sweetness and acidity.
Some consumers further described how the saltiness of the preserved plum took over immediately upon drinking, requiring several sips before the tartness of the lemon could gradually come through. But as the drink sat longer, the bitter compounds from the lemon rind began to seep out, complicating the overall flavor profile—eventually resulting in a mix of bitterness, saltiness, and sourness. Many netizens shared their experiences on social platforms; some bluntly said it “tasted like drinking saline solution,” or that the “preserved plum was so salty it made you frown, and the lemon so sour it was unbearable.” Others jokingly referred to it as “the newest dark cuisine creation.”
Beyond the controversial flavor, many customers who ordered takeout found that the preserved plum in their drink wasn’t soaked in the beverage as expected but was instead separately packaged and needed to be added manually. This approach caused confusion and dissatisfaction among customers. One commented, “Shouldn’t the preserved plum be soaked in the drink to begin with? Making me add it myself means it won’t have enough flavor if I don’t steep it long enough—and it’s easy to spill.” In response, the brand explained that prolonged soaking would make the preserved plum overly salty and could lead to sediment settling at the bottom, hence the decision to package the preserved plum separately in takeout orders, advising customers to add it themselves according to personal taste.
To address the issue of excessive saltiness, some staff suggested that if the Plum Lemonade tastes too salty, customers might consider removing the preserved plum or diluting the drink with a bit of water to adjust the overall flavor. However, for the average consumer, adjusting the proportions of the drink outside the store isn’t always straightforward—especially if it’s not consumed immediately, as the soaking time of the preserved plum can still affect the final taste.
Taking all market feedback into account, although Gu Ming’s Plum Lemonade shows some visual and conceptual appeal, there remains significant room for improvement in its actual flavor formulation. For consumers who prefer a balanced sweet and sour profile rather than one dominated by saltiness, this new product may not be their first choice. Moreover, while there is an official explanation for the separate packaging of the preserved plum in takeout orders, more comprehensive customer communication and usage guidance are still needed to enhance the overall consumer experience.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
