Lychee Botanical Name: Litchi chinesis (Sapindaceae)
General Description/History: - Round/heart shaped fruit - The size of a plum - Rough red knobbly skin - Translucent white flesh with the consistency of a grape - Juicy and sweet - 1 large, brown, smooth, glossy seed The lychee is a medium to large evergreen with a short stocky trunk and a low, large head. The tree can reach a height of 14 metres with an approximately equal spread. Choose only ripe fruit that has a full colour from pink through to red with a delicious sweet flesh and eminent fragrance. Fruit that is green will not ripen. The fruit should be firm with no signs of decay at the stem end. The protective skin can easily be removed with a fingernail or sharp knife. The unique flavour of the lychee can be enjoyed fresh or can be added to a variety of dishes to create tempting taste sensations. Add to various Chinese dishes, particularly sweet and sour combinations; serve with chicken or fish; add to either sweet or savoury salads; combine with other fruits and cheeses on a platter or simply serve with ice cream. Lychees can be frozen, either peeled or still in their outer skins. The Lychee thrives in organic soils with high water tables beneath them. High rainfall, humidity and temperatures are required for maximum growth. A relatively cool winter is also necessary for fruit bearing. The exotic lychee originated in China many centuries ago and today is available throughout the world. The Imperial concubine of the last Great Emperor of the T’ang Dynasty had a passion for the lychee. To please her, the Emperor had them brought from Canton to his palace, a distance of 600 miles, by a relay of guards mounted on fast horses. Speed was essential as the taste and flavour is lost after four or five days. It is no wonder that the is considered as a romantic symbol for the Chinese. Australians, on the other hand, are probably more familiar with the lychee as a sweet after a Chinese meal.
Alternative Names: Litchee Litchi
Varieties: Please click pictures to see seasonality
Souey Tung
Growing Areas: QLD - Sunshine Coast, Tropical North NSW - North Coast
Nutritional Value: Lychees are a useful source of vitamin C and dietary fibre. 195kJ/100g.
Storage/Handling: 0°C and 90- 100% relative humidity. Keep covered and away from refrigeration fans as lychees dehydrate rapidly. Consumer Tip: Like all perishable products, the lychee is at its best if consumed soon after purchase. Lychees should be stored in an airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper.
Recipes:
Summer Fruit Platter	Filo Fruits and Custard Tartlets