Lychee

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Lychee / Litchi chinensis / is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that reaches a height of 12 meters, but is usually found in smaller sizes. Lychee leaves are very beautiful, shiny and dense, with a dark green color.

It originated in China, but very quickly spread throughout Southeast Asia, in 1870 it was transferred to Hawaii, then in Florida, and in the late 19th century - in California. Lychee is cultivated in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Africa and some Latin American countries. Lychee grows in tropical or subtropical climates, can tolerate mild cold, but in no case negative temperatures.

Lychee colors are small, yellow-green and gathered in inflorescences, each inflorescence forming a cluster of 3 to 15 fruits. The first fruits appear between 4-10 years, depending on the variety.

The ripe fruit has a reddish-brown, and in some cases pink or amber bark, under which is hidden a soft, white and juicy, jelly-like inside. In the center of the lychee fruit there is a single large seed that looks like the pupil of a mythical animal.

For this reason, the Chinese call lychee " the eye of the dragon “. The size of the seed can vary, and the most valuable varieties of the plant are those that have immature seeds. They are called "chicken tongue" by the locals.

Composition of lychees

Lychee is very rich of fiber, does not contain saturated fat or cholesterol, has a very low calorie content. It contains oligonol, B vitamins - thiamine and niacin. It is a good source of minerals such as copper and potassium. Fruits are extremely rich in vitamin C - only 100 g per day provide 119% of the recommended intake of this vitamin.

Species are evident

There are more than 100 types of lychees, but the most famous are:

No Mai Tsze - The name comes from a thick and thick but soft part of the fruit, which resembles the taste of honey. It has a red bark that is hard but not rough. The seed is smaller than other varieties, and some fruits do not even have seeds.

Kwa luk Hanging Green - the most famous, but also the rarest representative of this plant. It got its name because of its light green hue and barely noticeable green line on the peel of the fruit. In the past it was a special gift for important and honorable people.

San yueh hung - translated means March red. This is the earliest variety of lychee, its fruits are picked in May. The soft part of the fruit is medium sweet in taste.

Rose-scented - This species apparently ripens in the middle of the season. The fruits are about 3 cm long and have a rounded shape. The soft part is ivory in color, thick and very tasty and sweet.

Early Large Red - early maturing variety. There are dark red fruits, reaching a size of 3.5 cm. The rind is hard, slightly glued to the soft part, which is very tasty and soft.

Late Seedles - late variety is evident. The fruits have an orange-red to dark red color and their shape is conical. The soft part has an excellent, sweet taste, but as you approach the seed you can feel a slight bitterness.

Fei tsy Hsiao - This is the most legendary variety of lychee, known as the "Smile of the concubine". It has been known since the Tang era - 1st century BC. The peel of this fruit secretes red juice, and the soft part is extremely tasty.

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Selection and storage of lychees

Fresh fruit is evident can be found in the markets from July to October. The peel of the ripe fruit should come off very easily. Choose fruits whose skin is slightly susceptible to pressure, has a red or dark red to brown color. Avoid dark spots. If the fruit is slightly pink, this is a sure sign that it is not ripe.

You can store the fruit visible for up to 5 weeks, but only placed in the refrigerator. If you leave them at room temperature, they will spoil in less than 3 days.

It is evident in the cuisine

In the southeastern part of Asia, lychee fruit is used to make syrup and jelly, which in turn are used to make liqueur. Lychee liqueur can be drunk alone or added to a variety of cocktails. From the fruit is obvious a puree is made, which consists of 90% soft part of the fruit and 10% sugar. This puree can be used for ice cream and fruit drinks.

Lychee puree and chili peppers are the main ingredients in sauces for meat, fish and vegetables. Fruit peel tea combined with traditional black tea can be drunk both hot and cold with ice cubes.

The fresh fruit is obvious can be served as a dessert - unpeeled and slightly chilled. The bark splits and the soft part is squeezed very lightly. In China, the fruit is preserved in salted form, in bamboo stalks.

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Benefits of lychees

In China, lychee seeds are recognized as a very good analgesic, used for inflammation and neuralgia. Tea from peeled lychee bark relieves the symptoms of upset stomach. Chinese medicine uses lychee in combination with Chinese lemongrass and other herbs to treat cancer.

The fruit is rich in vitamins C, E, K, group B, PP, H, as well as minerals so important for our health: calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium, iodine and others. Lychee is very useful for people who already have some diseases of the cardiovascular system or are predisposed to these diseases. The reason for this beneficial effect is the high content of niacin, magnesium and potassium, as they have a positive effect on the heart, but also lower cholesterol.

It is rich in dietary fiber, which is why the exotic fruit has a positive effect on digestion, significantly improving peristalsis. Fiber is also an excellent adsorbent, cleansing the intestines of toxins in the human body. No less important plus is that regular consumption of lychee leads to lower blood sugar levels. That is why the fruit is especially useful for people who already suffer or are prone to diabetes.

The fruit belongs to the group of low-calorie foods that are rich in insoluble fiber and water. No less pleasant bonus is that it helps speed up metabolism, so the fruit is recommended for people who are obese.

Lychee is also rich in minerals that are necessary for the growth and maintenance of muscle and bone health. That is why it is good to consume both if you already have any problems with the musculoskeletal system and as a prophylactic.

On the other hand manganese, phosphorus, iron and magnesium improve calcium absorption, thus making bones and muscles stronger. Given the fact that the fruit is very rich in B vitamins, it is also very useful for the central nervous system. The fruit extract is also used in cosmetology, as it refreshes the skin, gives shine and a fresh look.

The fruit is a real vitamin bomb, being 40% richer in vitamin C than oranges. As you know, ascorbic acid helps increase the activity of leukocytes, which are the true guardians of our health and protect us from a number of dangerous viral and bacterial infections. On the other hand, the high content of beta-carotene is especially effective in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.

In India lychee seeds they are crushed and because they have an astringent effect, they are given to people with intestinal problems. Decoction of the roots, flowers and bark of lychee is recommended for gargling for toothache. Eastern medicine uses lychee to stabilize blood sugar levels in hypoglycemia and diabetes. Fruits also affect the functioning of the kidneys, liver and lungs. They help digestion and help with anemia.

Benefits of lychees for pregnant women

The expectant mother's body needs many important nutrients. The main benefits of lychees for pregnant women is that this fruit is very rich in folic acid. Even if you are not pregnant, but only planning to have a child, it is again important to include in your menu such products that are high in this acid. It in turn is important for the growth and development of the baby's circulatory system.

It is important for every expectant mother to consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in calcium. The fruit is also rich in honey, which is the other very important trace element because it helps in the formation of red blood cells. Including lychee in a pregnant woman's diet helps reduce the risk of fetal hypoxia. The fruit has a pleasant sweet and sour taste, which reduces the toxicosis from which 85% of pregnant women suffer.

The only contraindication to consumption of lychees is the individual intolerance to the fetus. However, you should not overdo it, which is especially true for children, who should not take more than 100 grams per day. Excessive consumption of fruits can cause allergic skin reactions, namely in the form of rashes and redness.

It is not good to overeat with this fruit and due to its high concentration of vitamin C, which can damage the mucous membranes of the mouth, cause flatulence (bloating) or diarrhea. An interesting fact is that the nutritional value of lychee is not reduced if the fruit is consumed in dried form.

Regular use and adding the fruit to your diet improves immunity and blood circulation, protects the heart and blood vessels, supports the central nervous system and effectively fights obesity, but still do not overdo it and remember that this is a very exotic fruit for us.