What Is Lychee Fruit?

Lychee has become a popular ingredient on menus everywhere, especially in cocktails and desserts (how about a lychee martini?). Its rising popularity is thanks to its refreshing taste and unique mix of melon, berry, and floral flavors, which make it perfect for drinks, sorbets, and even salsas.

What Is Lychee?

Lychee is a fruit that grows on an evergreen tree, thriving in warm, humid climates. With a long history in Cantonese culture, it is native to Southeast Asia and is now commercially grown in regions like China, India, subtropical Asia, and even Florida.

A lychee is round or oval, with a red, bumpy, leathery skin often compared to that of an alligator. It has three layers: the firm outer husk, juicy translucent white flesh, and a large seed. The fruit has more edible flesh than skin and is easy to peel, making it a fun and tasty treat.

Lychee vs. Rambutan

Lychees are often mistaken for rambutans, which makes sense since both fruits come from the same botanical family and look strikingly similar once the skin is peeled away.

The main differences are that lychees are smaller, usually measuring 1 ½ to 2 inches, while rambutans are about the size of a golf ball. Rambutans have spiky, hair-like protrusions on their skin, resembling tiny Koosh balls or sea anemones. Their flavor is creamier, in contrast to the floral notes of the lychee.

What Does Lychee Taste Like?

Lychees are most commonly enjoyed fresh, though you can also find canned and dried varieties. The fruit has a glossy white appearance and a texture similar to a firm grape, with a delicate floral fragrance. Its flavor is sweet, combining hints of citrus and watermelon, but its most distinctive taste is a mix of strawberry and pear with a touch of rose water.

Is Lychee Good for You?

Lychees are packed with vitamin C and offer a healthy dose of copper and potassium. However, it's important to check for freshness when buying them, as unripe lychees contain higher toxin levels and won't ripen further once harvested.

Fresh lychees are typically larger than an inch in diameter, with vibrant red skin that gives slightly when squeezed. They should be free of blemishes or soft spots, and emit a soft floral fragrance. If the fruit shows cracks, oozes liquid, or smells fermented, it's spoiled and should be discarded.

How to Use Lychee Fruit

While eating them fresh is always a favorite, lychees also shine in fruit salads, desserts, juices, and smoothies. You can even make a syrup for cocktails or tea. To enjoy, simply pierce the skin with your nail, peel it off, and either pop the fruit into your mouth (discarding the seed) or split it open like an avocado to remove the seed that sticks to one side.