Lychee fruit facts http://elychee.com Get to know an excellent fruit called lychee Sat, 06 Oct 2012 17:21:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Lychee Fruit Facts You Need To Know http://elychee.com/lychee-fruit-facts-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lychee-fruit-facts-you-need-to-know http://elychee.com/lychee-fruit-facts-you-need-to-know/#comments Sat, 06 Oct 2012 17:21:27 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=95 Lychee is fruit grown in the low elevations of the Kwangtung and Fukien provinces in Southern China. The fruit needs different types of temperature levels for the flowering and fruiting. While for flowering and fruit development requires warm and humid summers, the development of the flower bud requires chilling weather.

Appearance

The fruit comes with an appearance similar to that of the strawberry, but it is rough in texture.  Measuring about 1½ and 2 inches in size, the rounded heart shaped fruit’s has a crispy juicy flesh when the skin is peeled off. The color of the fruit can either be white or pink, or glossy or translucent just like the grape but sweeter.

Benefits of Lychee

Lychee comes with a wide variety of benefits. For starters, it contains Oligonol- a polyphenol with low molecular weight, which is known to be an anti-oxidant and with anti-influenza virus actions. This product helps in the improvement of blood flow to the organs in the body, in weight reduction as well as in protecting the skin from UV rays. Like other citrus fruit, Lycheeis full of vitamin C, which helps in the improvement of the body’s ability to fight infectious agents and free radicals.

Lychee fruit

Lychee fruit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People eating this fruit will also benefit from the variety of Vitamin B complex, which helps in the absorption of the other nutrients and minerals. Other nutrients include copper and potassium and dietary fiber. The best thing is that the fruit has no cholesterol or saturated fats, making it suitable for those concerned with their weight.

Harvesting

Lychee is easily available in the markets from June to October. It is important to know that the fruit needs to be left to ripen while on the tree because the process stops after it has been harvested. They should also avoid leaving them on the trees for long because when they over mature, they turn dark brown and their taste is lost.

]]> http://elychee.com/lychee-fruit-facts-you-need-to-know/feed/ 0 Lychee Drinks and How to Make Them http://elychee.com/lychee-drinks-and-how-to-make-them/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lychee-drinks-and-how-to-make-them http://elychee.com/lychee-drinks-and-how-to-make-them/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:27:48 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=89 Lychee is a sweet tropical fruit mostly believed to have originated from Asia. It is red in color and covered in a rough red shell that is not edible. The fruits are small in size, almost the size of walnut and resembles grapes in appearance save for the studs and the red color. It is mostly found in the tropical and subtropical areas. Currently the fruit is grown in several parts of Asia, South Africa and Mexico. The fruit has a sweet smell and is highly regarded for its high nutritional value.
Over the last few years the use of lychee to make alcoholic beverages has become increasingly popular. The beverages are very common in restaurants that mainly cater for the pacific and Asian clients. It is the pulpy interior part of the fruit that is processed into liqueur.

Lemonade

This is prepared by combining several ingredients together. These include lychee liqueur, raspberry vodka and lemonade. All you need to do is pour the mixture of the three in a glass containing colorful sugar. The result is a colored drink good to taste and sweet smelling.

Martini

Lychee is also commonly used to prepare martini. You do this by mixing equal parts of lychee liqueur with vodka and some syrup in a container containing some ice. Then slowly pour the drink into a martini glass. You can add a peeled lychee fruit into the glass to make it appear better as well as add some nice smell to it. Placing a lime twist on the edge of the glass will serve to add color.

Cocktails

Lychee is also quite popular with cocktails. Those who have tried it said the lychee cocktails are very tasty. It’s especially tasty when mixed with other fruits like pineapples and lemon juice. Lychee can be used to make a wide range of drinks perhaps its main strength being that it can be mixed with a wide range of ingredients.

]]> http://elychee.com/lychee-drinks-and-how-to-make-them/feed/ 1 How To Get The Best From Lychee? http://elychee.com/how-to-get-the-best-from-lychee/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-get-the-best-from-lychee http://elychee.com/how-to-get-the-best-from-lychee/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:25:52 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=83 Lychee looks like the strawberry but comes with a tough and rough exterior. The fruit is peeled in order to get the edible inner part, which has a similar appearance to peeled grape. It comes with a wide variety of benefits thanks to the wide variety of nutrients, including Vitamins, unsaturated fats and minerals.

Selecting the best

It is an important thing to keep in mind that lychee stops ripening the moment it is harvested, and therefore buyers must make sure that they select the right fruits. It should come with a bright coloring and have no blemishes. They should make sure that they have bought fruits that are tough and leathery, and stay away from the pliable, dark and dry skinned ones. Getting fresh fruits is also important because they ferment faster when they age.
The buyers can also opt to select canned lychee, which are a dried version of the fruit. They have a taste similar to that of the raisin.

How to Peel?

While many people use their fingernails to peel off the skin, when it comes to large quantities, it is recommended that they use a serrated knife for cutting lengthwise through the skin. For the fresh lychee fruits, the users only need to peel away the skin and the inner membrane. Those fruits that are very ripe only need the skin to be torn off at one end and then pinched toward the opposite end into a bowl or the mouth.

Storing Lychee

Wrap the fruits in paper towel and place them in perforated plastic bag before storing them in the refrigerator to up to one week. It is recommended that they are used faster in order to avoid fermentation. The users can also freeze the fruits, by placing them with their peels in a zipper bag then get rid of the air before sealing it.

]]> http://elychee.com/how-to-get-the-best-from-lychee/feed/ 5 Eating the Lychee fruit http://elychee.com/eating-the-lychee-fruit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eating-the-lychee-fruit http://elychee.com/eating-the-lychee-fruit/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:21:14 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=75 Nowadays, just about anything is edible. This is mainly because our lives have changed in such a way that cultures that were previously alien to each other are increasingly integrated. Therefore, you will find Chinese food, Indian take out, Italian restaurants, African dishes among other delicacies to consume.

We are going to deal with the Lychee fruit in this article. Basically speaking, this is one of the fruits that were part and parcel of the Chinese diet for over two millennia. Today, more and more people are coming to eat the Lychee fruit. It is even grown in such states as Florida and Hawaii where it thrives on account of the tropical climate.

Eating the Lychee fruit is similar to how you would typically eat a pomegranate. As this fruit ages, the inner membrane and skin will lose their water and start becoming a little tougher. They also fuse together. In case the skin of the Lychee fruit comes out easily along with its membrane, then the time of storage will be greatly shortened.

Most people normally use the fingernails when they are looking to eat the Lychee fruit. This will enable you to dig right into the fruit’s stem end before you peel off skin from your Lychee fruit. If you are looking to peel larger quantities of the fruit for one recipe or the other, you will be best advised to make use of serrated knife.

To come to a suitable conclusion, in case the Lychee fruit is fresh, you need to peel away its skin gently before the inner membrane can be removed. This works in the same was as peeling oranges. In case your Lychee fruit has been under storage for a considerable amount of time, then you will have less trouble peeling the membrane and skin away.

]]> http://elychee.com/eating-the-lychee-fruit/feed/ 2 All about the Lychee Plant http://elychee.com/all-about-the-lychee-plant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=all-about-the-lychee-plant http://elychee.com/all-about-the-lychee-plant/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:11:57 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=64 The Lychee (otherwise denoted as Litchi) plant is increasingly becoming common today. This is mainly because it has many benefits attached to it. The fruits and berries that come from the Lychee plant are actually edible so you can guess what the rest of this article is about.

The Lychee fruits are sometimes referred to as alligator strawberries. This nomenclature is mainly on account of the look of these strawberries. The surface is a little bumpy much in the same way as the skins of alligators. When you first take a look at the Lychee fruit, you will think it is a strawberry that has the skin of an alligator.

The color of the Lychee fruit is red and it has a tough and rough exterior. You have to peel the skin so as to get through to its edible interior. Once you have peeled it, the Lychee fruit look very much like a grape that has been peeled. The texture is also very similar to the grape.

The tasty and desirable Lychee flesh is to be found surrounding a large seed that is sadly inedible. The delicious and sweet flavor of the Lychee fruit has been likened to fusions between grapes, watermelons and strawberries.

The Lychee plant is indigenous to Asia. It ranks among the most prized of all fruits in China where it has been part of the diet for over 2 000 years now. The great thing is that the Lychee fruits grow in most tropical climates and can be found in Hawaii and Florida.

To come to a suitable conclusion, remember that you need to peel the Lychee fruit to eat it. The outer skin tens to be leathery and has thin membranes in the inside that you have to first remove before you start eating the Lychee flesh.

]]> http://elychee.com/all-about-the-lychee-plant/feed/ 0 Overview of the Lychee Fruit and How to Plant It http://elychee.com/overview-of-the-lychee-fruit-and-how-to-plant-it/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=overview-of-the-lychee-fruit-and-how-to-plant-it http://elychee.com/overview-of-the-lychee-fruit-and-how-to-plant-it/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:34:14 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=28 Lychee fruit owes its origin to Southern China and it is known to produce small, heart shaped and edible fruits. When grown in ideal climates, it goes to 40 feet and while this is the case, in places such as the US they tend to be smaller. The ideal temperatures are 32 to 45 degrees and in case of young trees, they can easily die off from frost while older ones are able to withstand frost though to a certain degree. In order to learn how to grow the same, you should understand your landscape. Therefore, consider the following.

 

  • For starters, get the seedling a nursery that is reputable. In order to get the most out of the same, make sure that is healthy and vigorous.
  • Select a location that gives the lychee tree an opportunity to grow perfectly. It should be an area that has acidic, loamy or sandy soil and it should have full sun. The area should also be devoid of any power lines, tress and buildings.  The soil should be dug to a depth of twelve to fourteen inches and mixed with lime to ensure that the PH is at 6.0 and 7.0. From there, proceed to add at least one inch of compost organic manure to give the lychee tree more nutrients.
  • The size of the hole dug should be at least 2 times the width of a root ball and when placing the lychee seedling inside, make sure that it is upright and fill up the area surrounding the trees roots.
  • When watering, make sure that it penetrates deep and does not form any air pockets. Tap the soil and water again.
  • Mulch should be put around the tree and it should be 3 to 4 inches and after filling the remaining space with soil, tap it in and water it one again.

With these simple steps, it is possible to grow your lychee tree in ideal conditions.

]]> http://elychee.com/overview-of-the-lychee-fruit-and-how-to-plant-it/feed/ 0 The Health Benefits of the Lychee Fruit http://elychee.com/the-health-benefits-of-the-lychee-fruit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-health-benefits-of-the-lychee-fruit http://elychee.com/the-health-benefits-of-the-lychee-fruit/#comments Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:50:13 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=26 Originally from China, lychee fruit is a sub tropical plant that belongs to the Sapindaceae family and it is known by several other names such as lichi, lichee or leechee. Regardless of the name used, there are several health benefits derived from the fruit. However, before looking into this, it is ideal to look at some of the basic facts about lychee fruit.

Facts about Lychee Fruit

  • For starters, it starts flowering and giving fruits during the rainy season which is September to October.
  • You know that it is ready for harvest when it starts changing color and typically this is from green to a reddish color.
  • It is small and oval in shape. It has a thin stalk that is red in color and at the horde, it is rounded. When cut open, it has a lot of water and the meat of the fruit is white in color.

Health Benefits

Lychee fruit is known to contain several nutrients and key among these is vitamin C. It is estimated that the levels of vitamin C in the fruit is 71.5 mg for every 100 pulp grams. This means that if you consume 100grams of this fruit, you receive 100% of the necessary vitamins needed in a day. Vitamin C is known to have the necessary antioxidants that are needed to prevent cases of free radicals and it is also known to slow down the aging process. To cap it all, Vitamin C is also known to keep diseases such as cancer at bay.

Some of the minerals available in the lychee fruit include potassium which is 175 mg, calcium which is 5mg, and magnesium which is 10mg and phosphorous which is 31mg. When this is taken in low degrees, you also get to enjoy minerals such as copper, natrium, iron and zinc among others. The fat content in the lychee fruit is low and this makes it ideal for weight loss. Those people who consume lychee fruit on a daily basis also stand to enjoy a clearer and better skin tone.

]]> http://elychee.com/the-health-benefits-of-the-lychee-fruit/feed/ 1 Ways in Which to Make Lychee Martini http://elychee.com/ways-in-which-to-make-lychee-martini/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ways-in-which-to-make-lychee-martini http://elychee.com/ways-in-which-to-make-lychee-martini/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:46:40 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=20 Lychee is a tropical fruit that is not only beneficial to your health but can also be used to make other useful products. One such product is Lychee martini. In order to come up with this drink, there are some things that you can select on;

  • Use good Lychee flavor; In case you want to make Lychee martini, then you have to select on a unique flavor. There are different flavors and most recommended in this case is fresh Lychee fruit flavor or sweet fragrance. This flavor will ensure that the martini smells and also tastes like a Lychee. You can also opt for Lychee syrup which is made from natural yellow blush that has great color and flavor that will suit your needs.
  • Another way to make a good Lychee martini is to garnish. This should be done with one or two peeled as well as seeded Lychees and can be done on a skewer. This is because these fruits have a short season hence finding fresh fruits might prove futile. You can also opt to use frozen Lychee which has its original flavor and fragrance and can therefore be used in case the fresh fruit is not available.
  • Color and presentation is also another important part when making Lychee martini. You need to add some color to this drink so as to make it visually appealing. You can use grenadine or cranberry so as to give this drink the original red color of the Lychee fruit. When using the syrup, you need to know that it is naturally yellow hence your drink will have a yellow color. In case you use mint leaf, the drink will have a green color which depicts the color of the Lychee tree.

It is possible to make Lychee martini at home as long as you have the ingredients and preparation method.

]]> http://elychee.com/ways-in-which-to-make-lychee-martini/feed/ 0 Is Consuming Lychee Fruit Beneficial To The Body http://elychee.com/is-consuming-lychee-fruit-beneficial-to-the-body/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-consuming-lychee-fruit-beneficial-to-the-body http://elychee.com/is-consuming-lychee-fruit-beneficial-to-the-body/#comments Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:55:14 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=18 Lychee fruit has become common all over the world. This juicy fruit belongs to the soapberry family of fruits and it is sparsely found in some selected areas. In some places, it is a seasonal fruit and any time it appears many people go out to get it. This is because this fruit is considered healthy hence has some benefits to the body. Here are some of the benefits of eating juicy Lychee fruit;

  • It enhances body energy; this is applicable in that it has ingredients that offer energy to the body thus many people prefer using it.
  • This fruit improves fluid content in the body; fluids are important to the body as well as for your health thus when you east this fruit, you increase the level of fluids.
  • It boost the natural feeling of a person
  • Has a lot of vitamin C compared to other fruits. This makes this fruit nutritious than any other fruits
  • It has beta carotene which is essential in enhancing the visual of a person
  • Lychee is diuretic and digestive hence it boosts the digestive system of the body
  • This fruit has unsaturated fatty acids which are of essence in absorbing beta carotene as well as other fats that are soluble in vitamins.
  • Lychee is essential in averting blood clot as well as severe damages to body cells.
  • When patients that suffer from heart attack eat this fruit, the chances of getting stoke is reduced by 50 percent
  • It is a huge source of carbohydrates and fiber which are vital in the body and also ensures that you remain full throughout the day. This is also one way in which Lychee is used in weight loss due to the fiber that makes you full and avoids eating too often.

Due to these health benefits of Lychee, this fruit is of high demand in all parts of the world.

]]> http://elychee.com/is-consuming-lychee-fruit-beneficial-to-the-body/feed/ 1 Essential Health Benefits Found In Lychee http://elychee.com/essential-health-benefits-found-in-lychee/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=essential-health-benefits-found-in-lychee http://elychee.com/essential-health-benefits-found-in-lychee/#comments Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:03:49 +0000 Administrator http://elychee.com/?p=16 Lychee is a fruit that grows in sub tropical areas and it belongs to the scrap berry family. There are a number of names that this fruit is referred with considering the fact that it is found in different parts of the world. The plant is usually harvested when it starts flowering which is usually during the rainy seasons. Its color at this time is usually fiery red as compared to how its unripe green color when it starts growing. At this time it usually produces a strong exotic fragrance. The surface of this fruit is usually rough which makes it easily recognizable.

The lychee fruit can be eaten and it can also be used to make juice. It has a number of health benefits considering the fact that it has different types of vitamins and nutrition. Vitamin C is one of the most common vitamins that are found in lychee and eating the fruit in small amounts on a regular basis can give you the nutrition requirements that you need on a daily basis. This usually helps in fighting various cancer related diseases.

Lychee fruit also has a number of other beneficial nutrients that include magnesium, calcium and phosphorous. These minerals are very healthy for children who are still growing since they help in the development of bones and the good formation of the entire body. This can be given to children as juice and putting in mind the fact that it is very sweet, you will not have to force children to drinking it. This fruit is also a cure for coughs and can be very effective during the cold winter seasons. They are also associated with curing gland swells and tumors making them highly nutritious and also important in everyone’s diet. The best thing about this fruit is that it does not contain a lot of fat content making it safe for those on diet.

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