Lychee, Chinese plum, liji, laysi, "dragon's eye" are different names for the same exotic fruit popular in the countries of Southeast Asia. Today, Chinese plums are more and more often found in Russian supermarkets. However, not all buyers are in a hurry to purchase an unfamiliar fruit, not knowing what it tastes like and what it can be used for.
The birthplace of the "dragon eye" is China, where it began to be eaten around the 2nd century BC. Over time, lychees began to be grown in other Asian countries. In Europe, the Chinese plum became known only in the middle of the 17th century. Today, these fruits are cultivated in most Asian countries, as well as in Africa, South and North America.
Lychees have an oval shape, comparable in size to plums. The fruits are covered with a dense, lumpy skin of pinkish-red shades, under which there is a juicy and aromatic sweet-sour pulp of white color, which tastes at the same time resembling grapes, currants and strawberries. In the middle of the fruit is an inedible dark brown seed.
Fresh lychees spoil rather quickly. Therefore, when buying them, you should pay attention to the peel. Too soft brownish peel indicates staleness of the product. In the refrigerator, lychees can be stored for about a month, at room temperature - only 3 days.
Lychee chemical composition
Chinese plums contain many biologically active substances that are beneficial to health. They are especially rich in vitamin C - only 6-7 fruits fully satisfy the daily need of an adult for ascorbic acid. In addition, lychee contains other vitamins, including niacin, choline, B-complex, small amounts of tocopherol (vitamin E) and phylloquinone (vitamin K). The mineral composition is also diverse: the fruits are rich in potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. In addition to vitamins and minerals, they contain dietary fiber, pectin and organic acids.
Useful properties of lychee
Eating lychee heals the liver, pancreas, kidneys and lungs, improves digestion, prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases, normalizes sugar levels in diabetes, helps to reduce excess weight, has a tonic effect and quenches thirst well. In India and China, lychee is considered a powerful natural aphrodisiac that increases male potency.
Using lychee
Chinese plums are usually eaten fresh. In addition, they can be added to sweet dishes (jelly, ice cream, marmalade, fruit desserts), liqueurs and cocktails, put as a filling in pies and puddings, canned pulp with sugar. Lychee can also be used to make sweet and sour sauces that go well with meat and fish. In China, traditional wine is prepared from the fruit.
