Li Hing Soft Ginger

CRACK SEED, DRIED FRUIT, LIHING MUI
The Chinese term "li hing mui" literally means "traveling plum." For centuries the Chinese used preserved dried fruit for added sustenance when they traveled great distances. The salt used to preserve the plums, lemon, ginger, and other fruits also helped to replenish the sodium lost in sweat during physical exertion, while the sugar provided caloric energy. The local term, "crack seed," refers to the Chinese practice of splitting the seed inside the dried fruit to add more flavor throughout. Hawai'i's Chinatown "crack seed" shops originally imported their wares from Mainland China, but they soon began to invent their own versions to suit local tastes.