Like lychee, longan is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia that’s a member of the soapberry family. Longan is smaller than lychee, about the size of an olive, with smooth, hard, light tan skin that must be peeled away before you eat the fruit.
Is longan a type of lychee?
It is one of the better-known tropical members of the soapberry family Sapindaceae, to which the lychee and rambutan also belong. The fruit of the longan is similar to that of the lychee, but less aromatic in taste. It is native to tropical Asia and China.
What is another name for lychee fruit?
lychee, (Litchi chinensis), also spelled litchi or lichi, evergreen tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), grown for its edible fruit. Lychee is native to Southeast Asia and has been a favourite fruit of the Cantonese since ancient times.
What fruit is similar to lychees?
Fruits of the rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) are similar to lychee, except they are covered with soft, curved spines. The lower fruits have been peeled to reveal the fleshy, edible mass inside. Within the slimy, pulpy mass is a single hard seed.
What fruit is similar to longan?
Lychee. As described, lychee is very similar to longan and rambutan. This red fruit with the rough skin falls somewhere between the two other fruits in terms of sweetness and ease of eating. For me, it isn’t quite as sweet as longan and the flesh can sometimes be more difficult to strip from the seed.
What is another name for longan?
Other vernacular names for longan include ‘lam-yai’ (Thailand), ‘leng-keng’ (Malaysia and Indonesia), ‘kyet mouk’ (Myanmar), ‘mien’ (Cambodia), ‘lam nhai’, ‘nam nhai’ (Laos), and ‘nhan’ (Vietnam). Many other scientific names have been given to the longan. These include Nephelium longana (Lam.) Cam.
What is longan fruit called in English?
The fruit of the longan is white, round, and together with its hard seed, looks like an eyeball when the shell is peeled off. This gave the fruit its name in Chinese, which means “dragon’s eye”.
| Longan | |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 龙眼 |
| Literal meaning | “dragon eye” |
Can diabetics eat lychee?
According to various studies, it can be clearly stated that litchis are no different from other sweet fruits, they also are filled with natural sugar. But the kind of sugar which is naturally found in lychees are generally safe for diabetics.
How many lychees should I eat a day?
Moderation is the key. 10-12 litchis every day should not harm your body if you are proper with your diet and exercise habits. Weight loss: The main reason for litchis aiding weight loss is due to the fiber and roughage litchis pack in them.
What fruits are in the lychee family?
Lychees, rambutans and longans are all members of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), which also includes the mamoncillo. Bees living near lychee orchards make lychee honey, which shares the delicate floral flavor of the fruits.
What can replace lychee?
rambutan
Substitutes for Lychee
Due to lychees very specific flavor profile, it can be hard to find a substitute for them. Longan or rambutan, two other tropical fruits that are closely related, can work in a pinch but can be equally hard to find. If you can’t find the fresh fruit, the canned variety is your next best bet.
What is the cousin to the lychee?
Longan fruit ready-to-eat! The longan tree is one of the few fruit trees producing a crop in August, so the small brown fruit are a welcome seasonal taste treat. A family member of the lychee, the longan tree is an attractive evergreen all by itself – the fruit is just an added bonus!
Is it safe to eat lychees?
When eaten in moderation as a part of a healthy diet, lychees do not have any known adverse health effects. However, lychees have been associated with brain inflammation in South and Southeast Asia.
What flavor is similar to lychee?
What Does Lychee Taste Like? The aromatic lychee is sweet, with slightly floral and acidic notes. Upon biting, you’ll get a juicy flavor burst with a taste similar to a strawberry or pear with a hint of citrus. Some also compare the floral taste to rose.
What is longan called in Chinese?
Longan (Euphoria longan) is a wonderful and delicious tonic fruit used by the Chinese as a blood tonic, to build energy (Qi), calm the mind, strengthen the Spleen, tonify the Qi of the heart, and to add luster and beauty to the skin. Its Chinese name is Long Yan Rou, which means Dragon Eye Meat.
Which is better lychee or longan?
While the fruits are similar in size and nutritional values, lychee comes out slightly ahead for having more essential minerals. Both longan and lychee are a good source of antioxidants, which may help prevent disease. Eaten in moderation, longan and lychee can be part of a healthy eating plan.
How do you eat longans?
Eating Longan
Crack the shell with a knife or your fingers. Discard the shell. Remove the black seed (do not eat). Enjoy the succulent semi-transparent flesh.
Is longan good for diabetics?
Although no glycemic index is available for longan fruit, it is relatively high in carbs and low in fiber. That means it could spike blood sugar. Longan might not be the best fruit for people with diabetes, although it should be fine in moderation.
What happens if you eat too much longan?
It also imparts a glow to the skin and helps manage insomnia and stress. However, excess consumption may trigger undesirable side effects as this fruit is high in carbs and sugar. Hence, people with diabetes should not consume longans. Consume it in moderation to reap all of its benefits.
How do you eat Logan Berry?
The loganberry can be eaten raw and is also popular in making jams, jellies and wine. Ripe fruit tastes like a combination of the blackberry and raspberry. Loganberries have a very high Vitamin C content and were historically used by the British Navy in the prevention of scurvy.
Can I eat longan at night?
They are especially good for women. Eating 10 pieces of longans before going to bed every night can help nourish the heart and calm the mind, as well as stop palpitations, and this helps relieve insomnia.