Lychees (Litchi chinensis) aka: Litchi, Laichi, and Lichu are small oval shaped fruits with a thin leather-like outer skin, and a white inner flesh surrounding a single large brown seed.
Health Benefits of Lychees:
How to choose Lychees: Lychees are more likely to be fresh when they are sold still attached to the stem. It can be difficult to spot lychees which are over ripe, so it is best to ask for a sample. If you see a slimy mucous when you peel back the skin, then the lychees are too ripe and should not be bought. Also, avoid any lychees with indentions as this is a sign of rotting.
How to store Lychees: Keep lychees on their stem as long as possible and store them in the fridge. Lychees will only keep about a week, so they should be eaten quickly.
Climate and origin: Lychees originated in Southern China and thrive in tropical climates. (Zone 10 in the U.S.)
Taste: Lychees have a very sweet fragrant taste with a tender texture.
Miscellaneous information: In China lychees are made into a sweet dessert wine that is served ice-cold during summer.
Health Benefits of Lychees:
- Increased Immune Function
- Protection Against Heart DiseaseModerate amounts of lychees are believed to relieve coughing, and perhaps even stomach ulcers.
How to choose Lychees: Lychees are more likely to be fresh when they are sold still attached to the stem. It can be difficult to spot lychees which are over ripe, so it is best to ask for a sample. If you see a slimy mucous when you peel back the skin, then the lychees are too ripe and should not be bought. Also, avoid any lychees with indentions as this is a sign of rotting.
How to store Lychees: Keep lychees on their stem as long as possible and store them in the fridge. Lychees will only keep about a week, so they should be eaten quickly.
Climate and origin: Lychees originated in Southern China and thrive in tropical climates. (Zone 10 in the U.S.)
Taste: Lychees have a very sweet fragrant taste with a tender texture.
Miscellaneous information: In China lychees are made into a sweet dessert wine that is served ice-cold during summer.
