FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS / fruity · sweet · rich
Dark Plum Wu Mei
Category
FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS
Subcategory
fruity · sweet · rich
Origin
Volatility
Heart Note
Botanical
Prunus mume (smoked/dried fruit)
Appearance
Dark brown to black wrinkled dried fruit; extract is dark amber liquid
Odor Strength
Medium
Producing Countries
China
Pyramid
Heart
Smoked dried plum (Prunus mume) — sweet-tart and dense, with a dark, almost fermented depth. A fantasy note in perfumery, reconstructed from accords rather than extracted.
On a blotter the first impression is fruit, but not fresh fruit — something denser. A jammy sweetness, almost like prune compote simmering on low heat, with a sour edge that keeps it from cloying. There is smoke in there, faint and dry, like the residue inside a wooden smoking box.
After an hour the tartness recedes. What remains is warmer and rounder — dried fruit left in a paper bag, concentrated sugars, a hint of fermentation. The smoke persists as a thin, dry thread underneath.
On skin after several hours: a dark sweetness, compact and close. Less fruit, more caramel and dried wood. The sour note is gone.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
A vibrant, sweet aroma reminiscent of ripe plums with a hint of tartness.
After a few hours
After a few hours
Sweetness softens, revealing deeper, syrupy notes reminiscent of rich preserves.
After a few days
After a few days
Retains its luscious character but develops a subtle earthiness that grounds its sweetness.
The Full Story
Wu mei is the smoked and dried fruit of Prunus mume, the Chinese plum (distinct from European Prunus domestica). The preparation involves harvesting the fruit near-ripe, then smoking and sun-drying it until the flesh turns black and the sugars concentrate into a dense, sweet-sour paste. Wu mei has been used in Chinese medicine and cooking for over two thousand years — it is one of the oldest documented preserved fruits in East Asian pharmacopoeia.
No commercial essential oil or absolute of wu mei exists for perfumery. The note is a fantasy accord, typically reconstructed using combinations of damascenone (plum-like), furfural (smoky, caramellic), and various lactones for the creamy-fruit dimension. The "dark" qualifier signals the dried, fermented character rather than fresh plum.
Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
Dark Plum Wu Mei is used in perfumery and is also a popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to have various health benefits.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: Dried fruit processing
Molecular Formula
N/A - natural fruit
CAS Number
N/A - natural dried fruit
Botanical Name
Prunus mume (smoked/dried fruit)
IFRA Status
No known restrictions
Synonyms
WU MEI · DRIED PLUM · BLACK PLUM
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Appearance
Dark brown to black wrinkled dried fruit; extract is dark amber liquid
In Perfumery
In perfumery, Dark Plum Wu Mei appears in a heart or base note, adding rich, fruity character that enhances the overall composition. Its sweet, tangy profile works with floral notes such as jasmine or peony, as well as deeper gourmand elements like vanilla and caramel. This note can also complement spices, adding an intriguing contrast that enhances the complexity of a fragrance.
Perfumers appreciate Dark Plum Wu Mei because it can bring warmth and depth to a fragrance, making it a adaptable ingredient suitable for both light and dark compositions. Its scent profile allows it to stand out while still blending balanced with other ingredients, lending balance between sweetness and complexity.
