Litchi(Lychee) - Super Sunday

Am I keeping the word of making the Sunday, A Super Sunday?! haha! Second post today only!! :D
So Litchi! yumm! One fruit that would make a mouth watering effect on me - LITCHI!! :D I just love that fruit. Maybe it's one of the reasons why I love summers! haha!

Recently I bought a Real Juice pack of Litchi Juice. On the pack, there was some nice info about Litchis. Then I thought lets read more about it on the Internet. So finally, let me produce in front of you all, the information that I have collected! :D This would be containing the article that was printed on the pack as is, okay?!

The luscious tropical fruit belonging to the soapberry family, Sapindaceae,(actually, it is the only fruit in that family belonging to genus Litchi) was first produced in South China. The fresh fruit has a "delicate, whitish pulp" with a "perfume" flavor that is lost in canning, so the fruit is mostly eaten fresh.

The lychee is cultivated in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and northern India (in particular Bihar, which accounts for 75% of total Indian production.) South Africa and the United States (Hawaii and Florida) also have commercial lychee production. WOW! that sounds superb, isn't it?! :D That means they are available all over the world! You guys must try them...They are my favorites! :D

Litchis, not only eye-catching in spring when the huge sprays of flowers adorn the tree but also is a stunning sight for nature lovers when the tree is full of berries.

Now a few lines directly from your Wikipedia! :P - The lychee has a history of cultivation going back as far as 2000 BC according to records in China. Cultivation began in the area of southern China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Wild trees still grow in parts of southern China and on Hainan Island. There are many stories of the fruit's use as a delicacy in the Chinese Imperial Court. It was first described and introduced to the west in 1782.

The fruit has a very short harvesting duration of about 2 weeks only! In fact different regions have different harvesting months.

Health benefits of Lychee

• Lychee fruits are low in calories, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but rich in dietary fiber which, can be very important for individuals who are concerned about their excess body weight.
• Research studies suggest that oligonol, a low molecular weight polyphenol found abundantly in lychee fruit. Oligonol has been found to have several anti-oxidant, anti-influenza virus actions. In addition, it helps improve blood flow in organs, reduce weight, and protect skin from harmful UV rays (Takuya Sakurai (Kyorin University, Japan), Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 72(2), 463-476, 2008).
• Litchi, like citrus fruits, is an excellent source of vitamin C; 100 g fresh fruits provide 71.5 mg or 119% of daily-recommended value. Studies suggest that consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
• It is a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, niacin and folates. These vitamins are essential since they function by acting as co-factors to help body metabolize carbohydrates, protein and fats.
• Litchi also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and copper. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids help control heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells.

Some tasty, mouthwatering and simple simple simple uses of Litchi! :D

• Fresh lychee arils or flesh should be enjoyed all alone without any additions.
• Litchi slices can be a great addition to fruit salads and dressings.
• Lychee juice can be a refreshing drink during summer season.
• Litchis can be used in jellies, jams, sorbet, sauces, and syrups.

Biological Name : Litchi chinensis

So not only just yummy, my favorite fruit, Litchi has got many health benefits too! Try it once!! :D :D :D

Good Day All!! ^_^