All About the Lychee

The lychee is a lucky fruit. In China, parents tuck them into their children’s beds on Lunar New Year to keep them safe from monsters, along with mandarin oranges, dates, and persimmons. The next morning, the fruits also make a tasty breakfast! 

What Do Lychees Taste Like?

These bumpy red orbs may look funny on the outside, but inside, they’re packed with juicy sweetness. Plus, they have an unusual floral aroma and flavor to match. Lychee fruit is delicious all by itself, but it’s also often pickled and made into wine, jam, and jelly. 

The Health Benefits of Lychee Fruit

Lychees are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Eating them can help protect you from illness and give your heart health a boost. 

How to Eat Lychees 

To get a taste for yourself, use your fingernail or a knife to puncture and remove the skin. Then, enjoy your prize: The lychee’s sweet white flesh! Just be sure to dodge the inedible pit. 

Where Do Lychees Come From?

Scientifically speaking, lychees are in the drupe family along with plums, cherries, almonds, and olives. They’re native to China and Southeast Asia and have thrived in warm, humid climates there for around 4,000 years. They arrived in the US in the late 1800s, and American fruit fans have enjoyed them ever since. 

How to Keep Your Fruit Fresh

To keep lychees fresh, store them in an open plastic bag in the fridge for 7–10 days. Their peels may darken in color, but they’ll still taste just as sweet. 

FAQs

1. How is lychee pronounced?

There are two common pronunciations: l-EYE-chee and l-EE-chee. The Merriam-Webster dictionary uses the former, and we do, too.

2. Where do lychees grow? 

Lychees are a popular crop in tropical and subtropical Asian countries, including China and India. In the US, you can find lychee trees in Florida, California, and Hawaii.

3. When are lychees in season?

You can find American-grown lychees in the late spring, summer, and fall. They’re typically in season from May–July in Florida, May–August in Hawaii, and June–November in California. 

4. Are lychees and rambutans the same?

The lychee vs. rambutan question comes up often, and it’s easy to see why—both fruits have red skin, white flesh, and an inedible seed inside. They’re not the same, but they are related! Both are drupes and members of the soapberry family. To tell them apart, take a closer look at their skin. Rambutans have soft, hair-like spines on the outside, while lychees are spine-free. 

5. Where can I get lychee fruit? 

If you’re lucky enough to live in California, Florida, or Hawaii, you may be able to buy lychees from a local farmer. If you’re farther away or want a large quantity of lychees for your office or school, our team at The FruitGuys can help. We occasionally include them in our fresh fruit delivery boxes and offer them by the case when they’re in season.