How to cook lychees

Information for lychees in our free cooking ingredients collection.

Lychees

The lychee is a small spherical fruit, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, with a rough, inedible, bright-red shell. Inside the shell, the creamy translucent flesh surrounds a single dark, shiny seed. The texture is smooth, chewy, and sweet.

Family - Sapindaceae
Scientific name - Litchi chinensis Sonn.
Common name - lychee, litchi

High in vitamin C

Varieties

Of the nearly 75 varieties of lychee commonly grown today, the two most common types in the United States are the Brewster and the Mauritius, introduced from China and South Africa, respectively.

Origin and botanical facts

Lychees originated in southern China, where the fruit is considered a symbol of love.

The lychee tree is a long-lived evergreen that reaches heights of up to 40 feet. Its leaves are pale green with tinges of pink when young, and they turn dark green and leathery when mature. In spring, large sprays of yellowish green flowers cover the trees. For the best flavor, fruits should ripen on the trees approximately 60 to 90 days. The tree requires moist, well-drained soil and a climate that is cool and dry for several months preceding flowering and hot and humid for the rest of the year. Most of the world production of lychee is concentrated in Asia, with Taiwan being the leading exporter. Australia, Israel, Mexico, and the United States also produce lychees. American production is concentrated in Florida, Hawaii, and California.

How to cook lychees

Although lychees are usually eaten fresh in tropical countries, the canned versions are more often found in U.S. markets. Fresh lychees should be brightly colored and full (not shriveled) with shells that are intact and free of blemishes and with the stem still attached. The fruits can be placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Lychees can be eaten on their own, sprinkled with lemon or lime juice, or combined with berries and other fruit in a salad. In Hawaii, lychees are often stuffed with low-fat cream cheese, topped with crushed nuts, and served as an appetizer. Used in cooking, the sweet, aromatic flavor of the fruit complements entrees made with ham, chicken, fish, or beef.

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