Resting in Thailand, China or on one of the Indonesian islands, tourists are sure to try the Longan fruit. First of all, it tastes good. Secondly, it is available, because you can buy it at every corner, but it costs (like most fruits in the region) literally a penny. But it turns out that, in addition to the excellent sweet taste that its flesh possesses, it contains a lot of vitamins and other substances the body needs.
What does a longan look like?
"Dragon's Eye" (as this fruit is called in Thailand and China) grows on rather tall trees in clusters. Almost like grapes. To taste, he also remotely resembles it. But its sweet and rather juicy pulp is in a dense peel. It may be yellow, reddish or brown, depending on the variety. Longan's taste is usually sweet (for a ripe fruit), but may be sour (if it is not ripe).
The peel is removed without any effort if lightly pressed with two fingers. Under it is a white juicy pulp, reminiscent of peeled grapes. When using fruit longan, you must not forget about the bone inside. It is hard and not suitable for food. When serving longan in cafes or restaurants, it is usually cleaned and the bones removed. If fruits were bought on the market, you have to do it yourself.
About the benefits of Dragon Eyes
Thai longan fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C, as well as almost the entire group B. In addition, it is rich in carbohydrates (about 14%), phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, copper, calcium. At the same time, its flesh consists of water for 82%, due to which in its 100 grams only 60 kcal.
Longan fruit is known for its tonic properties, so it is recommended to use it when tired. At the same time, it improves sleep and acts as a sedative for disorders of the nervous system (thanks to magnesium). Also known and widely used in Chinese medicine are the properties of "Dragon Eyes" to lower body temperature during colds or infections. The use of pulp improves vision and normalizes the heartbeat during tachycardia. Longan has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, which is very important for Europeans, faced with the need to adapt to Thai cuisine.
How to choose a delicious longan
Experts recommend first of all to pay attention to the condition of its skin. Fruit longan, a photo of which can be seen below, without cracks and damage. That is what it should be. Its color does not depend on maturity, but solely on the variety, so you should not focus on it. The Dragon Eye, which has lain for several days after being torn off, is considered the most delicious. But, unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine by external signs. So the only reliable way to buy ripe fruit is to just try it.
Storage
Due to the excellent taste and affordable price, tourists quite often try to bring a longan home from a long trip. Fruit at home can be stored for only 2-3 days, but this is enough to treat friends or family overseas yummy.
In addition, the fruits perfectly tolerate the road and, thanks to a rather dense peel, do not really wrinkle. For transportation, it is recommended to buy a slightly unripe longan (it slightly acidifies), since it will ripen in just 2-3 days. When stored in the refrigerator (this is allowed, the fruits will not suffer) it will be quite suitable for food even after a week.
How to eat it
Mostly just fresh alone or with other fruits. Sometimes it is added to salads, desserts or used as decoration for a cake. Fans of exotic dishes, while in Thailand, can try the local cuisine, in which "Dragon's Eye" is more widely used. In particular, it is used to prepare sauces for fish and other seafood, it is added to soups and spicy meat dishes. Adherents of traditional European cuisine can safely use the fruit as a filling for sweet pastries. Tourists like a drink made from dried fruits that are brewed like rose hips or other berries and consumed with sugar. It turns out very tasty and healthy.
How the Dragon Eye grows
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka and East India are considered its homeland, it is currently produced in the USA and China, in Thailand and even Australia. Such a widespread longan. Fruit, the cultivation of which has become fundamental to the economy of many Asian countries, is supplied to the European market. So, if desired, it can be purchased in a regular supermarket.
It grows on fairly tall evergreen trees with a fragile trunk and a dense crown. The flowers are small, brownish yellow, form large brushes. Fruits the plant very abundantly. Harvested mainly by hand, cutting the whole bunch. Too tall trees sometimes even cut the crown for this. On an industrial scale, only fruit is used. Although wood is sometimes used to make furniture.
At home, a longan can well be grown from seed. To do this, it is taken from ripe fruit, dried a little for 2-3 days, and then planted in the soil. The tree grows quite rapidly, needs light and frequent watering, but most likely it will not bear fruit at home. First, vaccination is needed for this. And secondly, it is unlikely that the dimensions of an apartment or even a house will allow it to grow to the right size.
Fruit longan is a very tasty and healthy subtropical treat. Therefore, while traveling in those places where it is grown, you must certainly try it.