Lychee

What Is Lychee?

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a small, round tropical fruit native to Southern China, with rough red-pink skin. Underneath the skin is a white, translucent, juicy flesh with a large seed in the center.

Its taste is sweet, mildly sour, and has a distinct aroma reminiscent of rose water. In Turkey it is mostly found imported in markets during the summer months.

Nutritional Value of Lychee

Lychee is a moderately caloric fruit; 100 grams contains about 66 kcal of energy. It is quite rich in vitamin C, and also carries potassium.

What Are the Benefits of Lychee?

With its high vitamin C content, lychee is one of the tropical fruits considered part of a balanced diet.

This information is general; lychee is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Lychee?

Fresh lychee has red-pink skin, firm and rough-textured.

• The skin should be red-pink toned; skin turned brown indicates staleness.
• The skin should feel firm and rough, not overly dry-wrinkled.
• When lightly squeezed, the inside of the fruit should feel plump.

How to Store Lychee?

Lychee stays fresh in the refrigerator with its skin on, in a closed bag, for 5-7 days. Lychee with the skin and seed removed can also be stored frozen.

Using Lychee in the Kitchen

Lychee is mostly eaten raw with the skin and seed removed; it is also added to fruit salads, desserts, and cocktails.

How Is Lychee Peeled?

The skin is easily peeled by pressing and cracking it with the fingers from the stem end; then the large seed in the center is removed and the white flesh is ready to eat.

How to Make Lychee Dessert?

Peeled and pitted lychees are added to ice cream, sorbet, or fruit salads; their aroma is further highlighted when paired with rose water or mint.

Which Recipes Use Lychee?

Lychee fruit salad, lychee sorbet, lychee cocktail, and tropical fruit platters are the most common uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lychee good for?

Lychee is rich in vitamin C; it is considered part of a balanced diet. It is a food; it does not claim to cure any disease.

Are lychee seeds edible?

No, the large and hard seed is not edible and must be discarded.

Are lychee and longan the same fruit?

No, they are different varieties but belong to the same family (Sapindaceae); longan is smaller, with smooth brown skin, and its taste is milder than lychee.

How does canned lychee differ from fresh lychee?

Canned lychee is usually sold in sugary syrup and is sweeter and less aromatic than fresh lychee; fresh lychee has a livelier scent and texture.

How is lychee stored, can it be frozen?

Fresh lychee can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week; lychee with the skin and seed removed can also be frozen and preserved for a long time.