The lychee is one of the better known exotic fruits. Here you can find the benefits it brings to our diet and tips on consumption.
Lychee: origin
- The lychee originally comes from southern China. It has been grown there for over 2000 years and eaten with great enthusiasm. Most of the lychee fruits sold in Europe also come from Asia.
- Main producing countries of the fruit are China, India, Thailand, but also outside of Asia, for example in Madagascar, the USA or Brazil, the lychee fruit tree can be found.
- The lychee tree (Litchi chinensis) belongs to the soap tree family. It can live up to 2000 years. In total, it can grow up to 12 meters. The flowers of the lychee tree ignite a strong scent and shine in yellowish-white colors.
- The flowers, which are fertilized by insects, form into fruits after about three months. The fruits hang together in so-called panicles. The fruits themselves are to be arranged in red, pink, yellow and brown. They are oval in shape and can be up to 4 cm long.
Well-known varieties
- Bengal: bright red color, good quality
- Brewster: red color, slightly sour taste
- Salathiel: stable red-yellow skin, very good taste
- Wai Chee: very sweet, colored red with yellow spots
Lychee: benefits
- Lots of vitamin C: Overall, the lychee impresses with a multitude of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The vitamin C content really stands out. 100 grams contain a good 40 milligrams of vitamin C. With this amount you can already cover 40 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement.
- Vitamin B: The proportion of vitamin B (B1, B2, B6) in the lychee is not extremely high, but the fruits impress with a variety of B vitamins they contain.
- Copper: Copper is a trace element that lychee contains 200 micrograms per 100 grams. Copper is very important for our immune system and our metabolism. Those who take in too little copper quickly suffer from fatigue and blemished skin.
- Minerals: The lychee contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, among other things. Overall, the quantities are not enormous, but in combination with other nutrient-rich foods, the fruits can make a good contribution to a balanced diet.
- Sweet: If you tend to avoid fruit due to the high water content, the lychee is an extremely sweet fruit. It contains a whopping 17 grams of fructose. You can read everything about the influence of fructose on your body here.
- OPC: Lychees contain the substance OPC found in plants. This has a positive effect on the body's fat reduction and gives you more strength and stamina. Also interesting: With OPC you can reduce wrinkles and pigments on the skin.
- Dietary fiber: With 1.6 grams of fiber per 100 grams, the fruits ensure a good satiety. In addition, the lychee is extremely low in fat and contains few calories. Since it is a small fruit, eating it in small portions is not a problem at all, even in a diet.
- Gastrointestinal: The pulp of the lychee can act as an acid blocker for stomach problems. It is particularly effective in treating heartburn and nausea.
Lychee: Nutritional Values (100g)
- Calories: 74 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.9 g
ingredients
- calcium
- iron
- sodium
- magnesium
- potassium
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B6
- vitamin C
- Vitamin E.
Buy and store lychee
- Lychees must be kept cool until eaten, otherwise they will quickly lose their color. If you store the fruits in a plastic bag, you can delay their ripening process by about two weeks. Then the lychees start fermenting and contain significantly more acid.
- Of course, you can also freeze the fruit so that you can use it within a year. You can often find canned or fresh lychees in supermarkets. The fresh fruit should have a uniform and intense color so that you can eat it right away.
Lychee: Tips for Cooking
When the lychees are ripe, you can peel them like a boiled egg. The pulp is best enjoyed straight. You can also use the fruit to refine fruit salads and desserts. Due to their sweetness, they also come into their own in cocktails. The exotic dishes also cut a fine figure as an accompaniment to fish and meat dishes.
Tip: With delicious Lychee syrup you can give your mineral water a pleasant sweetness.
Are you interested in exotic fruits? Rambutan is a close relative of the lychee. You can find out how to create a healthy eating plan here. We will also show you how you can do something good for your skin and body with coconut oil.
If you would like to exchange ideas with others about fruits and other foods, take a look at our BRIGITTE community.