Lychee is a tropical fruit that is unique in appearance and flavor. It’s native to China but can grow in certain warm regions of the U.S like Florida and Hawaii. Lychee is also known as “alligator strawberry” for its red, bumpy skin. Lychees are round or oblong in shape and are 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter. Their opaque white flesh is fragrant and sweet, with floral notes. Lychee fruit can be eaten on its own, used in tropical fruit salads, or blended into cocktails, juices, smoothies, and desserts.
What Is Lychee Fruit?
In Asia, the lychee fruit is prized for its greater proportion of flesh to peel and is most often eaten on its own. Also called a lychee nut, the fruit is comprised of three layers: the reddish husk, white flesh, and brown seed. Although the exterior looks leathery and tough, it’s very easy to remove using just your fingers. This will reveal a white interior with a glossy sheen and firm texture, similar to a grape.
Storage
Since lychee ferments as it ages, it is important to store it properly. Wrap the fruit in a paper towel and place in a perforated plastic zip-top bag, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. It is best, however, to use them quickly to enjoy their unique flavor at its freshest.
For longer storage, lychee can be frozen; simply place in a zip-top bag, remove any excess air, and place in the freezer. The skin may discolor a bit, but the fruit inside will still be tasty. In fact, eaten straight from the freezer, they taste like lychee sorbet.
Nutrition and Benefits
Lychee fruit contains antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex. Eating lychee aids in the production of red blood cells, and its disease-fighting flavonoids like quercetin have demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting heart disease and cancer. Lychee is also high in fiber which aids in digestion, increases metabolism, and suppresses the appetite.
How to Eat Lychee?
Raw lychee fruit is a delicious and refreshing snack on its own, though there is so much more you can do with fresh lychee. Use the fruit as a focal point to a cheese plate, complete with mild chèvre and cheddar varieties.
Lychee is commonly included in fresh fruit salads along with other tropical fruits. It pairs well with banana, coconut, mango, passion fruit, and pineapple. When used in a similar manner to strawberries, lychee’s an interesting addition to green garden salads as well. You can even add lychee and cashews to oatmeal for a yummy breakfast treat.
In Asian cuisines, lychee fruit or juice is commonly part of a sweet sauce to accompany savory dishes. The fruit may also be included in a stir-fry with sweet and sour sauce. Chicken and fish dishes are popular, and lychee has even found its way into homemade barbecue sauce recipes.
Many desserts and beverages feature lychee. The fruit may be blended into a smoothie or cooked in sweet recipes such as this Thai coconut milk dessert. Quite often, the fruit is used to make a lychee syrup by boiling it with sugar and water. The syrup is an excellent sweetener for cocktails, tea, and other drinks. It’s also fantastic when drizzled over ice cream or sorbet.
Post time: Jul-30-2020
