Close
Photo: Getty Images
If you’ve spent any time browsing Asian markets, you may have come across lychee fruit. It’s a sweet and tart summer fruit from Southern China worth getting to know.
What Is Lychee Fruit?
Sometimes called “alligator strawberries,” lychees are a small tropical fruit (similar to rambutan and longan native) to Southeast Asia. Lychees(Litchi chinensis)grow on lychee trees in bunches. About two inches in diameter, a single lychee fruit is about the size of a golf ball and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. When the lychee fruit is ready to eat, it feels heavy and soft, and the tough, bumpy skin is bright red. Peel the skin away and you will find a translucent flesh similar to a grape. The flesh surrounds a large seed or pit like you would find in a plum or cherry. (
Why You Should Eat the Rainbow When It Comes to Fruits and Vegetables
Eaten fresh. the flesh of the fruit is sweet, floral, slightly acidic and very juicy. Some think the flavor compares to a strawberry, watermelon, pear or a blend of the three. In the U.S., fresh lychees are best from May to September. When buying fresh lychees, avoid fruit with dry skin or mushy flesh. The skin dries out quickly, and while you want the skin to be red, it’s OK to select fruit with some brown patches.
Health Benefits of Lychee
In addition to being sweet and delicious, lychee also has some nutritional value. A 1-cup serving (190 grams) contains 11% of theDaily Valuefor vitamin B6, which we need to keep our nervous and immune systems healthy. That same serving size also delivers 151% of the Daily Value for vitamin C, which is beneficial for tissue repair and circulation. Though it’s not high in fiber, a serving does provide about 10% of the Daily Value for dietary fiber.
How to Eat Lychee
Lychees, both fresh and canned, can be enjoyed on their own, but also work well in refreshing drinks. Whole fruit can be blended into smoothies, and lychee juice can be used to make lychee martinis. (If you are using fresh lychees, just remember to remove the seed first!) You can also sneak lychee fruit into savory dishes for an unexpected burst of sweetness: try them insalsasand sauces the same way you would use mango or papaya.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
