Lychee (otherwise "fox", "lidzhi", "Chinese plum", "laysi", "dragon eye") is a tasty and healthy fruit that can be found not only in the countries of Southeast Asia, but also in domestic supermarkets.

Recently, they have been exported to us mainly from Vietnam and Thailand. Nevertheless, many still do not know what it tastes like and how to consume The benefits and harms of "Chinese plum" are of interest to many consumers. Let's try to figure it out.

What does lychee look like?

This fruit is small in size (from 2.5 to 3.5 cm in diameter) and weighs about 15, maximum - 20 g. It has an oval or ovoid shape. The reddish or pinkish rind of the lychee is dense, but brittle, and consists of numerous tubercles. The jelly-like juicy pulp of the fruit has a white or creamy tint. It has an excellent, refreshing, sweet and sour taste and pleasant aroma. Inside the fruit is an inedible, oblong, dark brown seed. This is what the lychee fruit looks like, the photo clearly demonstrates this.

This interesting fruit grows in clusters on evergreen trees of the sapindaceae family, reaching a height of 30 m. They have a dense, spreading crown. Their leaves are dense and leathery, usually of a deep dark green hue. Lychee trees bloom with numerous yellowish flowers, collected in hanging inflorescences, similar to "umbrellas".

Where did this come from

The birthplace of lychee is China, where this fruit has been grown for over 1000 years. Since ancient times, the Chinese have called this fruit because of the bright combination of red peel, white pulp and brown seed. In Europe, they learned about this tasty fruit only in the 17th century. And where does lychee grow now? Nowadays, trees of the sapindaceae family actively bear fruit in the vast territories of Southeast Asia, Australia, in the countries of South America and Africa (South Africa), as well as in the southern United States. This fruit is exported to Russia mainly from the northern regions of Vietnam and Thailand. Harvested in the subtropics in May-June, cutting off the bunches together with the stem part of the branch. The fruits, collected individually, spoil extremely quickly and begin to ferment.

Lychee - a storehouse of vitamins and minerals

This tropical fruit is varied as it contains a lot of vitamins. Rich in "dragon's eye" with valuable micro and macro elements. Lychee contains B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin. Also "dragon eye" contains vitamins K, E, H and folic acid. It is especially rich in vitamin C. In addition, lychee is rich in healthy dietary fiber and plenty of pure water. In addition, the Chinese plum is also rich in minerals, including copper, fluorine, zinc, manganese, and iodine. It contains phosphorus, sodium, calcium, iron, sulfur and potassium. The sugar content in lychee varies between 5-15%, depending on where the fruit grows.

Lychee fruit. Benefit and harm

Such a high content of valuable vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as fiber and pure water makes the "Chinese plum" an extremely useful product. It saturates a person with the necessary substances, gives strength and vigor. Lychee has an excellent tonic effect on the body as a whole, mobilizes the immune system. It has been known in China since ancient times that the "dragon's eye" is the strongest natural aphrodisiac. He is able to rejuvenate the body, activate attraction and maintain "love" functions at the proper level. The lychee fruit has been successfully used for the prevention and treatment of many serious diseases. Its benefits and harms are, in fact, disproportionate. It is believed

Cannot cause serious harm to human health. But its benefits are enormous. Nevertheless, it is advisable to be careful when consuming the fruit. Don't eat too much lychee right away. Otherwise, an allergic reaction may occur. It manifests itself as acne on the skin and damage to the mucous membranes in the mouth. To begin with, you should try one or two fruits and track the body's reaction. If everything is in order, you can fearlessly eat up to 250 g of "Chinese plum" per day (for adults). Children over 2 years old need to consume about 100 g of fruit. It is undesirable to include lychees in the diet of one-year-old babies. "Chinese plum" is contraindicated for those who have been diagnosed with its individual intolerance.

How is lychee fruit used in folk medicine? how is it useful?

This tropical fruit is widely used in traditional oriental medicine. It can and should be used to prevent vitamin deficiency and anemia. Lychee is often used to prevent cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, because it contains a significant amount of potassium.

The fetus also contains nicotinic acid, which has a positive effect on lipid metabolism in the body. Helps cleanse the blood from cholesterol and dilates the blood vessels of the lychee fruit. What else is it useful for? It is used to normalize blood sugar levels, so it is indicated for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia. In addition, on the basis of "Chinese plum" useful decoctions and infusions are made, which normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, have a mild laxative effect, and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys. Taking medications with lychee is prescribed for people with lung diseases, including those suffering from bronchitis, asthma or having tuberculosis. These drugs make breathing easier and normalize the function of the respiratory system. Regular consumption of lychee is useful for those who have peptic ulcers, gastritis and pancreatic diseases. In oriental medicine, "Chinese plum" in conjunction with lemongrass is even used to treat cancer, including breast cancer. Is lychee peel good for you? It is no less valuable than the pulp of the fruit. Lychee peel is used to prepare decoctions and infusions that have a pronounced diuretic effect. They contribute to the removal of excess fluid from body tissues, and also increase the overall tone and improve well-being.

"Chinese plum" in dietary nutrition

Nutritionists recommend eating lychee in order to saturate the body with water, as well as reduce hunger. The "Chinese plum" contains pectin. It allows you to quickly saturate the body, giving nutrition to the beneficial intestinal microflora. Therefore, it is recommended that you consume several lychee fruits before each meal, which will allow you to reduce the standard portion of food and not overeat. The calorie content of lychee is only 76 kcal / 100 g, so people who carefully monitor their weight can safely eat it.

How do I pick a good, fresh fruit in the store?

If you want to purchase high-quality, tasty fruits, you must be guided by the following simple rules. First, when choosing a lychee, you need to pay attention to the color of its rind. It should be pink or red. The brown color indicates that the fruit was plucked from the tree a long time ago and has already deteriorated. The taste of a dark lychee will be unpleasant, and the smell will be sharper and stronger. The light yellow color of the fruit, on the contrary, speaks of its immaturity. This fruit is also not worth purchasing. Secondly, when choosing a "Chinese plum", you need to pay attention to the presence of damage. A good fruit will not have any suspicious spots, dents, or cracks. Thirdly, the lychee should be elastic, as if it will soon "burst". Too soft or, conversely, hard fruit should not be taken. Fourthly, in the place where the petiole was located, there should be no white spots and mold. Finally, the lychee scent should be pleasant, fresh, slightly reminiscent of the scent of a rose. Too heavy and sweet speaks of overripe and staleness of the fruit.

"Dragon's eye" in cooking

How to eat lychee? The fruit only needs to be washed under running water, peeled from it, and then the inedible bone removed. The juicy pulp of the fruit can be eaten fresh. Reminiscent of a mixture of strawberries, white grapes, currants and dried apricots, lychee fruit. Its taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, fresh. In addition to fresh consumption, lychees are canned, dried, frozen and cooked. They make drinks, desserts from it, including delicious ice cream, various sauces, mousses, jellies. An excellent golden wine is also made on the basis of lychee, with a pleasant fruity, aromatic and mild sweet and sour aftertaste.

"Dragon's Eye" is also used in the preparation of dishes from game, meat and sea fish. In Chinese restaurants, you can taste deep-fried shrimp with sweet and sour lychee sauce (Lichzhi Xia Qiu). If you manage to get a fresh "Chinese plum", be sure to try homemade sweet and sour chicken with almonds and lychee sauce. In addition, the fruit is used in the preparation of various baked goods, it is added to the filling of pies and pies, and cookies and cakes are made from it.

How to store lychee properly?

The issue of keeping the "dragon's eye" deserves special attention. In general, it is advisable to eat this fruit as soon as possible - on the first day after purchase. At room temperature, lychees can be safely kept for 2-3 days. In the refrigerator, at 7 ° C, lychee can be kept for one or two weeks, provided the shell is intact and not damaged. In general, this fruit deteriorates quickly enough, its skin darkens and the amount of vitamins in its composition decreases. If you want to preserve the lychee for a long time, we advise you to peel the fruit and freeze it. You can also dry the fruit or preserve it. In China, pickled lychees are kept inside bamboo stalks. In India and Vietnam, whole fruits are dried, after which the peel becomes hard, and such fruits are called "nuts". In this article, we examined an interesting Chinese fruit - lychee, the benefits and harms of which are of concern to many consumers. As you can see, "Chinese plum" has practically no contraindications and therefore can be safely eaten. Moreover, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and has a lot of undeniable advantages! Be sure to try this delicious exotic product.

Tropical plants never cease to amaze lovers of exotic fruits with their assortment, because every year more and more fruits appear in stores. Many of them quickly find admirers due to their wonderful taste and useful qualities. Recently, lychee fruit appeared on the shelves, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are quite well known in the homeland, but in our country they are just beginning to learn interesting details about unusual fruits.

Lychee, what kind of fruit is this, the country from which this miracle came

So, lychee, what kind of fruit is it, and in which country does it grow? The homeland of unusual-looking fruits is the hot tropics of Vietnam, Thailand, China, Africa. It is here that evergreen spreading trees with mighty crowns grow, from which they collect generous harvests. In height, these giants can grow up to 35 meters, which is quite difficult for harvesting.

Of interest is the flowering of the tree - the inflorescences practically do not have petals, these are small balls resembling small cups. The length of the inflorescence can reach 80 cm. The fruits ripen in large clusters, and they are sent to collect them from the end of May to almost mid-summer.

What does the lychee fruit look like, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are known to every inhabitant of tropical countries? Fruits are small, up to a maximum of 4 cm, covered with small numerous tubercles. Their color resembles a plum, which is why they got another name - the Chinese plum. The pulp of the fruit resembles a dense sweet jelly, the taste of which is somewhat similar to grapes. While savoring this exotic, one should not forget about the bone that is inside - it must be thrown away.

What does lychee fruit look like, photo

Of course, often a description alone is not enough to boldly go to the store for an exotic curiosity, because you can easily confuse it with other, no less interesting and unusual fruits. In order not to seem ignorant to the seller and to purchase gifts from the tropics with confidence, you need to know what kind of fruit the lychee looks like, the photo will certainly help you figure it out.

In the photo you can see not only the fruits that are usually offered in the store, but also their ripening in the trees. Interestingly, when purchasing fruits, you should give preference to those that are on the branches. Why do this? Everything is simple - the fruits plucked from the branches deteriorate much faster, and if they still look fresh in the store, they will quickly begin to rot at home, it will not be possible to save them.

When buying, attention should be paid to the shade of the fruit. The darker they are, the higher the ripeness and the worse the taste. Preference should be given to bright red Chinese plums - it is this shade that signals freshness and pleasant taste. They will also be stored much longer.

Lychee fruit benefits and harms

How to use lychee fruit correctly, useful properties and contraindications - this must certainly be carefully studied, because it has not only advantages, but also several disadvantages. The main value of the fruit is low calorie content. It can be used safely during a diet - gaining extra pounds will not work. Another plus of consuming fruit on a regular basis is that the high vitamin B content will certainly help keep your hair and nails healthy.

1. problems with the cardiovascular system;
2. high cholesterol;
3. atherosclerosis;
4. diseases of the digestive organs;
5. enlarged glands;
6. prolonged intense cough.

The lychee fruit, the benefits and harms of which have been fully studied, can be called not only unusual, but also unique. He practically has no contraindications, you can feast on even with serious illnesses or in combination with the treatment of the underlying disease with aggressive drugs. The only prohibition is individual intolerance, in such cases, the appearance of side effects in the form of rashes or nausea is possible.

Lychee fruit as it is this unusual delicacy

One more question arises for those who first purchased the lychee fruit, how is this exotic. Despite the fact that there are several varieties of this delicacy, their peel is usually not eaten, it needs to be peeled. This will not be difficult, it is easily separated from the pulp, even if the fruit is not fully ripe.

It's not difficult to get to the juicy pulp - you just need to lightly bite the peel (it lends itself easily to the teeth) and remove it with your fingers. Of course, you can use a knife for this, but this is not necessary - and without it, difficulties will not arise.

Only the pulp is eaten - it has a light shade, juicy and dense. Do not forget about the bone - throw it away or dry it for planting. Thanks to its wonderful taste, this fruit has gained considerable popularity not only in its homeland, but also around the world.

Most often, fresh fruits are used, but you can dry them, they in this form resemble dense nuts, which are usually used to make desserts. You can preserve it, you get a wonderful jelly, with a pleasant aroma and exotic taste. The Chinese are accustomed to adding fruit to alcoholic beverages, they even manage to make a wonderful wine based on lychee, which is famous for its wonderful properties.

Lychee fruit, photo, how it grows at home

As incredible as it sounds, you can even grow this exotic on your own, and there will be no special difficulties here. Confirmation that it is possible to grow a lychee fruit, photo, how it grows at home - the pictures clearly show that the plant feels no worse indoors than in the hot humid tropics.

A tree can become a real decoration of an apartment, even if you cannot get fruits from it, because the leaves of the plant also look unusual - shiny, long, juicy green. The fact that the size of the room will not allow the lychee to feel comfortable is not worth worrying - at home the tree will not grow tall, all the more so - it can be formed by arranging annual pruning.

Lychee fruit, how to grow from a bone

Lovers of exotic plants are often interested in how it is possible to have a lychee fruit in an apartment, how to grow this tropical guest from the bone, and whether there will be difficulties in care. There is nothing unusual here - you can grow this curiosity even without much experience in caring for indoor plants.

It is better not to mix soil for lychee yourself, but to buy it ready-made in the store. Soil for palm trees is perfect for a plant, and should be purchased. Landing in this order:

1. Dry the seed thoroughly at room temperature (it is better to take several - this guarantees that at least one of them will give a precious sprout). The planting material must be taken from ripe fruits.
2. Fill a small container with soil, after placing a layer of drainage.
3. Deepen the bones by 1-3 cm, lightly tamp the ground.
4. Water the soil, cover with foil.
5. Regularly remove the greenhouse for ventilation, at the same time check if the ground is dry, and if necessary, water it.
6. After the sprouts appear, remove the greenhouse, take care of it as for ordinary indoor flowers - water and regularly loosen the surface of the earthen coma.

It is important to choose the right place on the windowsill - it must certainly be sunny and cozy here. Drafts have a detrimental effect on the plant - it can die. Do not overdo it with watering - do not allow dirt in the pot. Another requirement that must be strictly followed is to replant the plant annually, otherwise its growth will be very slow.

Having seen a fruit on the counter of lychee, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are already well known, you should not deny yourself such a delicious fruit. The only thing that should not be forgotten is that you should not abuse it by eating - in large quantities, even useful delicacies can cause an unwanted reaction of the body.

Save your information.

The other day, a daughter from St. Petersburg called and said that they had a lychee fruit on sale, they bought it for trial, they liked it very much. Naturally, I was interested in what a lychee fruit is, useful properties and contraindications for a new exotic for me and how it is. My daughter strongly recommended not to pass by this fruit if I see it in our supermarkets.

What is lychee, where does it grow, photo

I have already talked about one, and we will study lychees. Let's start, of course, with a photo. The fruits are beautiful, bright, but without recommendations I would definitely have passed by, who knows what is under this red pimpled crust.

Inside, the fruit is a rather large brown bone, around which there is a white translucent pulp, and it is eaten.
As the daughter said, the pulp is sweet, juicy, jelly-like, somewhat reminiscent of grapes, but more aromatic. I read reviews on the net, yes, someone compares the taste with grapes, someone finds notes of bergamot, a taste of raspberries, strawberries, someone compares it to jelly made from rose petals.

Where does this exotic fruit come from?

Although today this plant is cultivated in many countries that belong to the dry subtropics, southern China is considered the birthplace of lychee. Therefore, one of the names of this fruit is "Chinese plum". If you hear such names as "fox", "liji", "dragon eye", you should know that they are talking about lychees. In the context, the fruit really looks like a dragon's eye.

This unusual fruit grows on rather large trees, similar to our willows, the height can reach more than 15 meters. The wood of trees is used in the manufacture of joinery and in construction, it is valued as a durable material that does not rot.

Lychee flowers are a yellow-green calyx, without petals, with protruding stamens. Fragrant flowers are collected in a brush, but not all flowers from the brush will become fruits, some of the flowers crumble. During flowering, there are always a lot of bees on the brushes and the honey from the lychee turns out to be fragrant, golden in color.

Small fruits, 2 - 5 cm in diameter and 10 - 25 grams in weight, are collected in bunches. The ripe fruits are harvested in bunches, since they are torn off separately, they spoil faster. There are more than 100 varieties. The fruit is interesting and valuable in that it belongs to the early and appears on the markets in late spring, early summer, when there are practically no other fruits.

Lychee fruit - useful properties and contraindications

The fact that this is a fruit already speaks of its benefits, because it is known that sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables improves health and reduces the risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases.

But what may be interesting about lychee, because they say about him that it is mainly water and carbohydrates. So maybe this fruit is just for fun?

But no, studies have shown that there is something in lychee that can interest food lovers to receive not only pleasure from food, but also benefit.

The chemical composition and nutritional value of the Chinese plum

1. As I said above, lychee consists mainly of water, which is 82% and carbohydrates - 16.5%, the amount of fat and protein is minimal.
2. Although the fruit is sweet, for those who like to keep track of their weight, the calorie content is quite attractive - 66 kcal per 100 g. product.
3. Contains pectin, low in fiber.
4. The fruit contains various vitamins and minerals, organic acids, but the most interesting thing about this fruit is its high content of vitamin C, copper, potassium and niacin.
5. The fruit also contains valuable antioxidant compounds.

The health benefits of lychee

Let us consider in more detail the benefits of the above substances contained in lychee.

• Scientists have discovered such valuable antioxidant polyphenols as epicatechin and rutin in lychee, which can protect the human body from serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes and a number of cardiovascular diseases.
• The high potassium content is beneficial for heart health.
• Copper, which is part of lychee, provides invaluable assistance to the body, influencing the synthesis of blood cells, being responsible for the production of female sex hormones, positively affecting the entire endocrine and digestive system. Copper improves the condition of connective and bone tissue, increases immunity, affects the production of hemoglobin, activates tyrosine, the lack of which reduces the mental and physical activity of a person.
• Nicotinic acid is also an important element, since without it our body cannot fully function. It affects the normal functioning of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, improves the cardiovascular system, cleanses the body of toxins, and lowers blood sugar levels.
• Nutritionists are interested in the lychee fruit, since, with its low calorie content, it is able to satisfy hunger plus the diuretic effect of the fruit, all this works well for weight loss.
• Chinese scientists have come to the conclusion that lychee, when consumed regularly, increases the body's resistance to stress.
• The high content of vitamin C helps the body fight colds, bronchial asthma and tuberculosis.
• In case of kidney disease, this fruit is used as a decongestant.

Scientists have discovered polyphenol oligonol in lychee - this is a unique substance that helps free the human body from many free radicals. This is a very important property of this substance, because it is free radicals that contribute to the aging of body cells and a decrease in its protective functions.

Naturally, simply by eating lychee, this substance is difficult for the body to obtain, so in Japan, a food supplement "Oligonol" was developed.
The drug, made using an exclusive technology from lychee peel and green tea, rejuvenates the skin, helps to get rid of excess fat, improves blood circulation, maintains elasticity of blood vessels, protects against blood stagnation during sedentary work, helps the body to quickly recover under heavy physical exertion and stress.

Application in traditional medicine

Lychee fruit has been known in China for a long time and is one of the symbols of this country, therefore its beneficial properties are well known and it is actively used in folk medicine.

• The Chinese use lychee fruit to prevent atherosclerosis, to lower bad cholesterol in the blood and normalize metabolic processes in the body.
• Fruit pulp syrup is used for anemia.
• Throat diseases are treated with a decoction of lychee flowers, using for gargling.
• With neuroses, depressions, fatigue, prepare a drink infused with the peel of the fruit.
• Lychees are used as a component of various charges for cancer.
• The fruits are used for diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
• The fruit is used in home cosmetology, making various masks for the face and hair.

Lychee fruit - contraindications and possible harm

Lychee is that fruit about which we can safely say that it has no contraindications.

True, such a concept as individual intolerance has not been canceled. Therefore, at the first meeting, you should not lean heavily on lychee, even if you really like it, because for us this is an exotic product. Wait a few hours, if the body says yes to you, then enjoy the taste of lychee.

But even with a positive outcome of the case, it is not recommended to consume more than 250 grams per day for adults and 100 grams for children, as there may be irritation on the oral mucosa.

Eating too much can also cause flatulence.

How to eat and store lychees

No special skills are required to eat lychees. In a ripe fruit, the soft, lumpy peel is easily removed, then the pulp must be freed from the bone and the product is ready for use.

For those who are not familiar with the lychee fruit, it will be interesting to watch the video.

Lychees are used not only fresh. The shelf life of fresh fruits is not very long, no more than 30 days at temperatures up to 7 degrees, provided that the fruits are carefully removed from the tree in bunches. In order to preserve the product for a longer period, it is dried, frozen and canned. According to connoisseurs of this product, it is delicious in any form.

The Chinese use lychee to prepare various drinks:

• make wine from fruit
• get a tasty and aromatic drink by adding pieces of fruit to a glass of champagne or dry wine
• saketini - an aperitif made from sake, dry vermouth and lychee syrup
• congou is a tonic drink made by steeping black leaf tea on lychee peels. It is drunk both hot and chilled with pieces of ice.

Use the fruit when serving dishes from pork, lamb, game, fish. It is used as an ingredient in salads, in the preparation of sauces and desserts.

It is important to know that lychee does not mix well with starch, bananas and white flour, which can cause severe flatulence.

How to choose a Chinese plum

The purchase will live up to expectations if you choose fruits with a bright, pink-red skin, soft to the touch.

The age of the product is evidenced by a hard, dark brown rind.

Interesting about lychee

Earlier, in ancient times, lychees had the right to eat only for rich and noble people. The poor were forbidden to eat fruit on pain of execution, they were connected only for collecting and transporting fruits.

In India, China, lychee fruit is classified as an aphrodisiac and, being called "the fruit of love", is used as a means of stimulating potency in men. For these purposes, a decoction of lychee peel is prepared.

In China, a special wine is made, which in translation is called "stirring up the soul, awakening love." In ancient times, this plant was used as a love potion.

In Thailand, the fruit is so fond of it that they already consider it theirs. In one of the provinces of Thailand, during the harvest, they organize the "Lychee Festival", it is accompanied by city fairs, musical performances and even a beauty pageant is held and to receive the title of "Miss Lychee", it is very honorable.

How to plant and grow lychee at home

For those who like to grow exotic at home, I suggest watching a video with tips on growing lychees from the bone and caring for the plant.

In such an interesting fruit - lychee fruit, now we know everything about it, about the beneficial properties and contraindications, about how to choose it, peel it, store it. It remains only to meet the Chinese plum in our supermarkets, buy it and eat it with pleasure.

Elena Kasatova. See you by the fireplace.

Some people believe that growing an exotic fruit at home is a pipe dream. However, daring gardeners broke the established stereotype and received a cute lychee tree with its unique fruits as a reward. To do this, it is enough to understand the basic rules for growing a plant and a nice overseas guest will settle at the window.

External characteristics of the tree

In natural conditions, the tree is found in China and Thailand. It grows up to 30 meters in height and bears fruits similar to cherries or small plums. There are other names for the tree, such as:

• "Paradise Grapes";
• "Fruit of Love";
• "Chinese Cherry";
• Ligi;
• "Lisi";
• "Chinese plum".

The lychee tree belongs to the Sapindovye family and is perfectly cultivated at home. In an enclosed space, the plant can reach 2.5 meters in height, which is quite acceptable for a houseplant. On the territory of Russia, fruit is also grown in gardens. Moreover, it is carefully protected from frost and dry winds. These extreme conditions lead to loss of foliage and cracks in the trunk and branches.

Lychee has oblong fleshy leaves of a slightly shiny character. The color is dark green. The main vein runs along the center of the plate, from which there are branches in different directions. This "embossing" is considered the highlight of the overseas guest. In shape, the leaves resemble an elongated ellipse, lowered to the base of the plant.

The egg-shaped fruit of the lychee tree is small in size, approximately 4 cm in diameter. Outside, they are covered with a pimply skin. The taste is reminiscent of berries or plums, as indicated by the different names of the tree.

The exotic lychee fruit is widely used to treat various heart diseases, obesity problems and hematopoiesis.

Home Growing Secrets

Since the plant has a number of beneficial properties, many grow it as a houseplant. However, for this, the following aspects should be considered:

• air temperature in the dwelling;
• competent watering regime;
• soil composition for planting.

The process of how to grow a lychee tree at home begins with acquiring the fruit itself. The ripe fruit is cut, removing the stone from it. After that, it is thoroughly washed and planted in prepared soil.

It is advisable to immediately lower the stone into the soil, since it quickly loses its germination. To achieve the ultimate goal of growing a lychee tree, it is best to use multiple seeds.

When the bone is already in the ground, the container is covered with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse microclimate. Then the container is placed in a warm place and the first leaves are expected to appear. As a rule, after 2 or 3 weeks, the first greenery rises from the soil. During this period, the film is removed so that the plant can actively develop. It is from May to early September that the lychee tree needs to maintain the correct temperature regime, which does not exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

When the first shoots appear, the room temperature should be within 25 degrees.

After the formation of green shoots, they must be watered moderately every day. Thus, conditions are created that resemble the natural environment in which the lychee tree grows. Over time, the seedlings will rise above the soil up to 20 cm in height. From this point on, the root system of the plant begins to develop, which slows down the growth of the ground part of the fruit.

So that the roots can grow freely in different directions, it is advisable to transplant the seedling into a voluminous container.

Rules for the careful care of exotic fruit

When the tree begins to take root and rise above the ground, it needs to be provided with enough light. The ideal place for him is the sill of a large window. It is important that the plant has access to lighting for 12 hours a day. In winter, wise gardeners use artificial lighting.

Home care for a lychee tree provides for competent watering. The plant does not like extreme drought, as well as excess moisture. Therefore, it is advisable to constantly monitor him. If the humidity in the house is low, the seedling should be sprayed with a spray bottle. For this, the water is first defended in order to clear it of large impurities and bring it to room temperature. Otherwise, the plant may suffer.

It is important to feed the plant in a timely manner. The first time this should be done 3 months after planting. To do this, use a top dressing that is rich in minerals. The next dose is applied when the tree is 1 year old. After another year, it is poured into the ground every 2 months. Thanks to competent feeding, a magnificent lychee tree will grow in the house, as shown in the photo provided.

The plant is only pruned in the first two years to give it a beautiful shape. Subsequently, only dried branches or foliage are removed. If you do frequent pruning, the process of formation of paniculate inflorescences is disrupted. This means that the fruits will not appear soon. Despite this, many gardeners admire the lychee tree at home. It might be worth trying to grow an exotic tree and enjoy the taste of the overseas fruit.

Lychee transplant - video

Lychee is a small fruit covered with red skin with tubercles. It tastes sweet and sour and very pleasant. A few years ago, this fruit could not be seen in our stores. Now, although it is rare, and it is expensive, you can still buy these unusual fruits and enjoy their taste. What kind of fruit is it, where and how it grows and what useful properties it has, all this is in the article.

How lychee grows

Lychee is one of the most popular fruits in Southeast Asia. But its popularity is not limited to this region alone. For its taste and aroma, it is gaining more and more fans around the world.

The lychee fruit is the fruit of an evergreen tree. It can reach a height of 20-30 meters. But, as a rule, it is only 10-15 meters. The birthplace of this fruit is China, where, according to sources, its fruits were eaten as early as the 2nd century BC.

Over time, lychee spread first to neighboring countries and then to many regions of the world with a tropical climate. This fruit was brought to Europe in the 17th century. It was first described by the Spanish writer Gonzalez de Mendoza, who was interested in the history of China.

The lychee tree belongs to the sapind family. The crown of the tree is spreading. Paripinnate leaves have from 4 to 8 leaves of an elongated ovoid or lanceolate shape.

The flowers of a plant cannot be called such in our usual sense. They are without petals and are collected in lush umbrella-shaped panicles, the length of which can be up to 70 centimeters. Of all the inflorescences, only 3 to 15 fruits can be set. The rest fall off after flowering.

The fruits themselves are round or oval in shape and covered with a thick skin with numerous tubercles. Inside, under it, there is a juicy jelly-like pulp of white color with a dark pit inside an oval shape.

The diameter of the fruit is about 2.5-4 centimeters. The rind is bright red. One ripe fruit weighs about 20 grams.

Lychee is also called Chinese plum, laysi, fox, liji. The Chinese call it "dragon eye".

Lychee fruit flavor

In lychee, only white flesh is edible. Neither the peel nor the bone is used for food. They are inedible. The pulp itself is juicy, fragrant with a jelly-like consistency. The peel is easily detached from it.

Everyone describes the taste of lychee differently. To someone it reminds something between strawberries and grapes, and to someone a pineapple. Lychee perfectly refreshes and quenches thirst.

Lychee chemical composition and calorie content

The lychee contains many useful substances that are useful for the human body. Found in it:

Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, E, H (biotin), K (phylloquinone);

Minerals: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, fluorine, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, iodine;

Carbohydrates

Alimentary fiber;

Saccharides;

Monosaccharides;

The amount of sugars depends on the area where the tree grows and can fluctuate.

100 grams of fruit pulp contains almost 80 grams of water, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat, 0.9 grams of protein. The calorie content of 100 grams of lychee is 60-70 calories.

Lychee fruit beneficial properties

Thanks to the substances contained in lychee, this fruit has many beneficial properties. Vitamins, minerals, plenty of water, dietary fiber and other things all have a positive effect on the human body.

Vitamin C and potassium have a healing effect on the cardiovascular system. This fruit can lower cholesterol levels. In China, this fruit is consumed to prevent atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Lychee fruit has a tonic effect on the human body. In the east, it is considered an excellent natural aphrodisiac. Not surprisingly, in India, lychees are called the fruit of love.

Due to its high water content, it perfectly quenches thirst, normalizes the intestinal tract, eliminates and prevents constipation. And the low calorie content makes it an excellent product for losing weight and getting rid of extra pounds.

The Chinese believe that lychee, when combined with lemongrass and other herbs, is very effective against cancer.

But in addition to the fruit, its peel is used in folk medicine. Regular use of the decoction of the peel increases the tone of the body and prevents the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.

Lychee is useful fresh. But canned, dried, it also has many useful properties and does not lose its taste.

The benefits of lychee for the body

The whole benefit of this small fruit called lychee is, again, in its chemical composition. It seems that there may be only water. But about this fruit, we can say with confidence: "The spool is small, but expensive." It is a pity that its fruiting season is short and it does not last long.

The main points of use of the "dragon's eye" include:

Strengthening the immune system;

Favorable effect on the heart and blood vessels;

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart attack;

Prevention of atherosclerosis;

Elimination of bad cholesterol of low density;

Prevention of constipation;

Improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal system;

Prevention of anemia, as it contains iron;

Cleansing the body of harmful substances and toxins (rich in fiber and pectin);

Antioxidants protect the body from the oxidative process of free radicals;

Prevention of premature aging;

Improving tone and energy balance due to the right carbohydrates and vitamin composition;

Simple sugars satisfy hunger for a long time;

Relatively low glycemic index and can be used by patients with diabetes mellitus.

Lychee fruit harm and contraindications

The only contraindication to the use of this exotic fruit can only be individual intolerance. It can manifest itself as an allergic reaction.

Adverse reactions can be from the abuse of this fruit. But this applies more to those people who go to tropical countries on vacation during the lychee picking season. For the rest, you just need to take note. Nevertheless, these fruits are rare in our country, and they are expensive.

Such side effects can manifest as diarrhea, flatulence. Therefore, eat these fruits in reasonable amounts. A few a day will be enough. Children are allowed to eat no more than 100 grams of fresh lychee fruit.

How to choose and store lychees

During the harvest season, and it happens mainly in winter, lychees can be bought at any major chain store. What to look for when buying?

First, the color of the peel. It should be deep red and not damaged. A brown rind may indicate that the fruit is already spoiled. Light red or yellow - the fruit is not fully ripe.

Of course, the fruits should not have any traces of mold and rot.

If you can sniff the fruit, do it. Lychee has a pleasant fruity aroma. When the fruits are overripe, the smell is sugary.

Lychees don't last long. This is the reason for their low prevalence. However, transportation takes a certain amount of time.

At room temperature, their shelf life is 1-2 days. They can stay in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, having bought fruits, it is better to eat them right away.

If you want to preserve the fruit for a longer period, it is best to freeze it. In this case, they can be stored for several months. They may or may not be peeled before freezing. Peeled frozen fruits are similar in taste and appearance to ice cream sorbet.

How to peel lychee

There shouldn't be any difficulty here. The peel is easily removed. You can cut it with a knife or lightly press on the fruit to peel it. Do not swallow the bone!

What to cook with lychee

Mostly fresh fruits are used in cooking. They make fruit salads, make jams, preserves, marmalade, squeeze juice. Used for desserts, baked goods as a filling.

Lychees are also dried. When dried, it looks like a large raisin. It is often used to decorate cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

These fruits are served as a marinade for meat or fish, and sauces are made from them.

Lychee Ice Cream

For 500 grams of peeled lychee fruits, take:

1 glass of cream (at least 20% fat)

125 grams of sugar

1 bag of vanilla sugar

Peel and pit the lychee. Puree in a blender. Add cream, sugar and vanillin. Beat everything well and refrigerate. After a couple of hours, take out the container with the fruit mass and beat again. This is necessary in order to break the frozen pieces of ice. Put in the freezer again.

Do this several times until the ice cream is completely frozen.

Jelly with lychee

You can take fruits according to your taste or availability. Since lychee is an exotic fruit, its companion in this recipe for jelly will be the same.

Take mango and lychee. Wash, peel and cut into small pieces.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of gelatin in a glass of apple juice, adding sugar to taste to the juice.

Arrange the chopped fruits in small bowls, wide glasses. Pour over the cooked jelly. Put in the refrigerator until it hardens.

Interesting facts about lychee

For us, this fruit is considered exotic. But in the countries where he is a native and familiar, they learned to use him to solve many of their problems and goals. Very briefly interesting facts on the use and use of lychee.

Application in traditional medicine

• A decoction of the root, flowers and bark is used as a gargle for a sore throat.
• The bone is used as a sedative for orchitis and neuralgic disorders.
• Lychee provides relief from coughs.
• It helps in the treatment of tumors, gastralgia and enlargement of the glands.
• Fruit peel tea helps treat smallpox breakouts and diarrhea.
• In India, ground seeds are used for some intestinal and stomach problems.
• In China, lychees are used for neuralgic pain.
• Flowers are used for bleeding, sore throat and to prevent UV burns.

In nutrition

• They are added to fruit salads.
• Topped with whipped cream and pistachio ice cream as dessert.
• The fruit, cut in half, is placed on top of the ham for the last hour of oven or grill cooking. Also used in the preparation of steak.
• Puréed lychee pulp is added to the ice cream mix.
• Lychee juice is used to make ice cream, jelly.
• In Thailand, India and China, lychees are canned in sugar syrup.
• It is included in sour and sweet Chinese dishes.
• Lychee is also used as a mixed salad with avocado slices.
• Lychee also mixes well with juices such as banana, strawberry, mango and papaya juice, and coconut water.

Other facts

• Flowers can be green, white, or yellow.
• The lychee flower blooms in the northern hemisphere from November to February and in the southern hemisphere from April to August.
• Fragrant flowers attract bees, which are the main pollinators of plants.
• After pollination, lychee matures in 100-120 days.
• Lychee has a floral aroma, a sweet taste that resembles a mixture of pears and grapes.
• Lychee is called the Chinese strawberry because it originated in China and looks like a strawberry.
• In China, lychee is considered a symbol of romance and love.
• China and India are the largest lychee producers in the world.
• Dried lychee has a smoky aroma.

Learn more about the beneficial properties of the exotic lychee fruit, how it is useful for the human body, learn more from the video

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