The exotic lychee fruit in its unusual appearance does not at all resemble the fruits that grow in our climate zone. When you see him for the first time, it causes sincere surprise, and then confusion. Especially alarming is the coating of the fetus. It has soft shoots like spines, and what’s inside is just scary. It is completely incomprehensible that it contains the edible and main question of how to eat it.
This southern fruit is completely unknown to us, it is too bright and beautiful, but I really want to get acquainted with it. Suddenly, it is as tasty as it is attractive in appearance?
Lychee is the most famous fruit in Southeast Asia, and it comes from China, where it has been growing for over 2000 years. In ancient times, this fruit was used instead of currency. There are about 100 species of this plant.
The southern sun of China painted an exotic lychee fruit with noble shades of pink to brown. Its beauty is simply amazing when the fruits in clusters are ripe, they resemble splashes of precious red rubies. The size of the lychee is about 5 centimeters, weight about 15-20 grams.
When the fruit ripens, it becomes bright red or pink in color and has an oval shape. Therefore, when choosing this wonderful fruit, pay attention to color. The fruit is dark in taste because it has been plucked for a long time, and there are no vitamins in it.
One could compare the lychee with cherry or plum, but such an analogy would not be entirely accurate, since this fruit is similar to itself. Its just worth a try.
In China, “royal fruits” or hairy fruit are called lychee fruit. Cultivating it is a long and painstaking business, as it is demanding on the climate, subtropical and tropical are suitable for it. Trees and fruits die at low temperatures.
It grows in picturesque and colorful clusters on evergreen trees, the height of the trees is not more than 10 meters. The leaves are dark green in color, wavy at the edges and slightly elongated. Their trunk is smooth, gray, in clusters there are about 3-15 fruits. The tree itself with bright fruits is already a matter of admiration, it resembles a bouquet of outlandish flowers.
Harvesting takes place from May to June, early ripening in May determines the special value of this fruit. At this time, a deficiency of vitamins is felt, since the remaining fruits have not yet ripened. This explains its relevance in world markets.
After planting, only 10 years later, the lychee fruit will begin to bear fruit, the plantation of which has been delayed for many years. Productivity increases gradually over 20 years. The fruits are carefully picked together with a part of the fruit twig and leaves, so they are better transported and stored.
Like any southern fruit caressed by the sun, the lychee flesh is sweet with a subtle hint of wine muscat. The fetus has a special bone, surprisingly resembling the eye of a terrifying animal. Due to the color of the bones, the Chinese call the lychee “the eye of the dragon”, and attribute witchcraft properties to it. For example, a fruit has such a definition as “the fruit of love” or “giving pleasure”. Indeed, a glass of champagne with lychee is a real pleasure.
Lychee fruit is used in the manufacture of marvelous wine, the Chinese call it wine, which "excites the soul." There is another way to preserve the fruit - it is dried in the sun, and in this form it is already called lychee nut.
Gourmets serve fruit for dessert in a chilled form, cut their peels and lay out exotic joy on a hill of large ice.
For many centuries in China, lychees love, not only for their exquisite taste, but also for invaluable medicinal properties. It lowers blood sugar, improves the functioning of the pancreas and kidneys. But its main value is its high content of nicotinic acid, which actively fights against atherosclerosis.
It has long been known that residents of Southeast Asia suffer from this unpleasant disease much less often than in Europe. It is good when this amazingly tasty and healthy medicine grows on every Chinese estate.
In our climatic zone, lychee can be grown on the windowsill, dropped the “dragon's eye” stone into a pot and asked the tree to grow, and a miracle can happen.