Delicious and juicy lychee or "Litchi" heralds the arrival of summer. Besides being sweet and nutritious, these berries bring cooling effect on the human body to beat the scorching summer heat. 100 g of lychee fruit carries 66 calories, almost the same as that of the table grapes. It has no saturated fats or cholesterol but composed of excellent amounts of dietary fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
Did you know?
Lychees originated in southern China, where the fruit is considered a symbol of love.
Storage
Fresh lychees should be brightly coloured and full (not shrivelled) with shells that are intact and free of blemishes and with the stem still attached. The fruits can be placed in a bag or a container and stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
2002. Encyclopedia of foods. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press