Exotic lychee fruit - health benefits and harms, where it grows, how to eat. Lychee - a description of the benefits and harms of this tropical fruit, as well as its photo

Lychee- a plant of the Salindov family. In addition, other names for this fruit are known: "liji", "fox", "Chinese plum". For the first time, they learned about this fruit in China, from where it spread to other territories. Today this fruit is grown in China, Japan, Asia, Africa and America.

Fruits, which have an oval or ovoid shape, are covered with a pimpled red skin. It is easily removed and reveals a jelly-like pulp, which is painted in white or cream color. There is a large enough seed in the center. Brown(see photo). Sweet and sour pulp has a refreshing taste and aroma. The weight of the fruits, on average, reaches about 20 g, and the diameter is about 3 cm.

Beneficial features

Since lychee normalizes the digestive tract, metabolism and quenches thirst, it can be eaten in the treatment of obesity... In addition, the fruit contains a large amount of fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the intestines and resists the formation of constipation... As a prophylaxis, lychee is used to improve the functioning of the kidneys, liver and lungs.

Regular consumption of fruits reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, as well as diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In addition, the fruits have the ability to remove "bad" cholesterol from the body.

In cosmetology they also use beneficial features lychee extract. It is impossible to get it at home, but pharmaceutical companies have the opportunity to use it in their products. Lychee extract has a positive effect on dry and sensitive skin, making it softer and more hydrated. In addition, such products are used as anti-aging cosmetics, which cope with aging and aging of the skin, and it also helps to resist the harmful effects of the environment. The extract also contains mineral salts and antioxidants that help moisturize, soothe and revitalize the skin.

Cooking use

In our area, lychee is an exotic fruit, so it is rarely eaten, which cannot be said about countries where the fruits are widespread. Lychees are eaten not only raw, but also dried and canned. Various drinks are prepared from this fruit, including excellent refreshing juices and wine. Lychee goes well with fish and meat dishes... Use the fruit to make various marinades. Sauces, desserts, etc. are made from fruits.

Lychee benefits and treatment

The benefits of lychee are taken into account and are widely used in folk medicine... In the East, healers recommend eating several fruits daily in order to normalize blood sugar levels, this is simply necessary for people with diabetes and hypoglycemia. In Chinese medicine, the fruit is used to prevent the onset of malignant tumors.

In folk medicine, the peel of the fruit is also used. It is used to prepare a decoction, which has the ability to increase the tone of the body and does not allow the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.

Lychee harm and contraindications

Lychee harm can bring people with an individual intolerance to the product. In addition, it is worth controlling the amount of fruits eaten, since in large quantities, they can provoke the appearance of allergic reactions.

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 it to 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 of the fruit, it 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, and 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 clusters 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 in lychee such valuable antioxidant polyphenols as epicatechin and rutin, 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 against 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, therefore in Japan they developed food additive Oligonol.
A preparation 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 the 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 stone 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 in 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 tasty 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. 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, the 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 "exciting the soul, awakening love." In ancient times, this plant was used as a love potion.

In Thailand, they are so fond of the fruit 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 contest is held and the title of "Miss Lychee" 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.

Exotic fruits are increasingly entering our lives. If earlier we were content with canned fruits ("tropical cocktail", "pineapple in our juice", etc.), now in any supermarket you can easily buy fresh fruit from the other end of the planet. Eyes diverge - showcases with tropical delicacies amaze with the abundance of colors, aroma, and various forms. However, buying an unfamiliar fruit can be puzzling (after all, not everyone had a rest in Thailand or Bali) and raise many questions: what is a lychee fruit, how to eat such a fruit and what is edible in it, how it tastes and is it healthy.

Did you know? The oldest mentions of the lychee tree date back to 59 (the period of the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty) - this is a story about a nobleman who, having accidentally tasted the lychee fruit, hastened to inform Emperor Liu Zhuang about the discovered delicacy (although there are legends about Emperor Wu Di, who was still in 2 BC wanted to plant lychees in North China). Most likely the birthplace of lychee is southern China. It is known that in the 8th century, Emperor Tang Xuanzong sent 600 soldiers to fetch these fruits for his beloved concubine Yang Yuhuan (a legendary woman of mystery in China and Japan), who loved them very much. The Vietnamese believe that the lychee ended up in China as a gift from the Vietnamese emperor of the Mai dynasty (although it is known that there was no such dynasty in Vietnam, there was a "black emperor Mai" - a poor man who rebelled against the Chinese and proclaimed himself emperor). A large mission with gifts (among which there were lychees) went to China under the founder of the Mak - Dang Zung dynasty. But that was already in 1529.

What is lychee

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is an evergreen tree with a wide crown. It grows up to 30 meters in height. It grows in the tropics and subtropics of Eurasia, Africa and America. Lychee has many other names: "Chinese plum", "laysi", "dragon eye", "Chinese grapes", "foxes", "lingchi". The leaves are paired, lanceolate, dark green in color.

When blooming, flowers without petals form umbellate inflorescences. Lychee is an excellent honey plant (pollinated primarily by bees). Fruits grow in clusters (13-15 pieces each) and ripen in May-June. The harvest ranges from 10 kg (in cool climates) to 150 kg (in optimal conditions).

Lychee fruits have an oval shape, size from 2 to 4 cm, weight up to 20 grams. Ripe red fruit with lumpy skin. The lychee peel is easily separated (covered with a film from the inside) and reveals a delicate jelly pulp white... The pulp has a pleasant sweet with sourness, slightly astringent aftertaste of plums and grapes. The inside of the fruit contains a hard, dark brown stone (resembles an acorn).

Despite the abundance of varieties (over 100), the most popular are:

• green hanging - one of the most ancient and rare. Keeps freshness without peel for three days;
• sticky rice balls. Differs in honey flavor and small seeds (sometimes absent altogether);
• huaychi ("bunches of berries in hand");
• March red (ripens before everyone else);
• smile Yang Yuhuan (ripens early, red juice in the peel);
• sweet osmanthus. Possesses the scent of an osmanthus flower.

Lychee fruits are collected in bunches (it is better to transport them, they are stored longer). Often, for better safety during transportation, they are harvested immature. Lychees retain their true flavor no more than three days after harvest.

Did you know? Lychee owes its appearance in Europe and spread throughout the world to the French botanist Pierre Sonner (1748-1814). The scientist traveled to Indochina, China and brought with him not only descriptions of unprecedented plants, but also their seedlings. The French liked the taste of lychee so much that in 1764 on about. The first plantation of this plant was planted in Reunion (engineer J.-F. Charpentier de Cossigny de Palma). The French planted lychees on about. Madagascar (became the world supplier of this fruit). Lychee is widely cultivated in South Africa, Australia, the South Japanese Islands, Central America, Brazil and the United States.

Calorie content, nutritional value and composition of lychee

Lychee is distinguished by a low calorie content ˜– 66 kcal, a low content of fats and proteins. The fruits are especially rich in vitamins and minerals. Ascorbic acid (71.5 mg) is in the lead among vitamins. An important place is occupied by vitamins of group B - niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acids. There is also a rare vitamin K or phylloquinone (important for normal blood clotting), E (tocopherol), D (viosterol) and H (biotin).

The vitamin group is supplemented with micro- and macroelements: phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper, magnesium, sodium, zinc, selenium, iron, manganese, iodine.

Important! Lychee peel contains a lot essential oils... It is they who give the fruit its aroma. The bones and peel are not used for food.

As a rule, lychees are eaten fresh or frozen (as they contain the most useful properties). In India, Indochina and China, you can find the so-called "lychee nuts" - dried fruits in the skin. When dried, the peel hardens and, if shaken, a dry nucleolus rumbles inside (there are fewer vitamins, but the mineral composition remains.)

What is useful for lychee for the body

Unique combination of vitamins and minerals, low calorie content make lychee a valuable nutritious and medicinal product.

Prevention of anemia

Regular consumption of lychee fruits effectively helps in preventing anemia. The high percentage of copper in lychee plays a large role in increasing the number of red blood cells.

Did you know? In Asia, Congou tea is very popular. When brewed, it emits a rich grapefruit smell, while tasting it, a specific taste of lychee sweetness is felt. The secret of this tea is in the addition of pieces of dried lychee rind. In Thailand, this tea is drunk with ice as a soft drink.

Digestion aid

Lychees contain soluble fiber, free the stomach and intestines from toxic and harmful substances, normalize digestion (eliminate constipation). Lychee pulp has antacid properties, relieves nausea, helps with mild diarrhea, stomach acidity and indigestion. Powder of ground seeds in traditional medicine of India and Vietnam helped get rid of worms, cope with gastrointestinal disorders.

For skin beauty

The way the skin of the face and body looks can be influenced by the pulp of the lychee. It is rich in many components that are beneficial for the skin, nourishes and moisturizes it, has antioxidant properties, promotes collagen recovery, improves appearance, and smoothes wrinkles. At home, it is easy to make a face mask from fresh fruits. Gels and creams containing lychee extract also are widely used for skin care.

For bone strength

Minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, calcium, etc.) effectively maintain the condition of bones and teeth. Lychee pulp also contains vitamin D (which is important for calcium absorption by the body).

Did you know? Lychee is known as a powerful aphrodisiac. In China, it is believed that the lychee fruit concentrates the energy "Yang" as much as possible - "equal to three torches of fire", a symbol of love and manhood. Similar views on lychee exist in Indian folk medicine - before intercourse, a couple in love is advised to eat a lychee fruit, and its benefits will manifest itself in strengthening male sexual strength and mutual attraction.

Slimming

An oligonol was developed from the pulp of the lychee fruit, which is effective reduces fat mass and improves blood circulation. Lychee extract is included in various dietary supplements. Knowledge of how to eat lychee correctly (namely, to use it fresh up to 250 g per day) will help those who want to lose weight. Lychee fruit is 82% water, low in calories, cholesterol free, contains healthy fiber and pectin.

For heart

The abundance of polyphenols (15% higher than their content in grapes), the high content of niacin, potassium, copper and manganese in an ideal proportion makes consumption lychee is extremely beneficial for people with heart and vascular problems. Lychee removes excess cholesterol, dilates blood vessels, regulates the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle, regulates the level of pressure, etc.

Contraindications and restrictions on consumption

The use of lychee by adults has no special restrictions, and there are practically no contraindications for them (except for individual intolerance). Even with excessive use of lychee, the worst thing that can happen is irritation of the mucous membrane and gas formation in the intestine, therefore, it is better to limit yourself to the consumption of six to seven fruits.

Important! Children under three years old are prohibited from eating lychee fruits. . Those who are over three years old need to limit the amount of lychee (two or three pieces) and, most importantly, do not give it on an empty stomach. In 2017, scientists revealed the cause of annual epidemics among children in India: for 25 years from mid-May to June, there was a massive illness of babies with acute encephalopathy (40% of cases died). The reason is that unripe lychee fruits contain hypoglycine and methylenecyclopropylglycine (blocking glucose synthesis). All these children ate unripe lychees on an empty stomach on the eve of the disease, and their glucose levels dropped sharply.

Therefore, neglect what lychee is good for d For a child's body, it is not worth it, but you must adhere to simple rules: give fruit after meals, select ripe and fresh fruits, make sure that there are no allergic reactions.

Lychees in medicine and cosmetology

Unique chemical composition lychee fruit allows you to use the fruit and its beneficial properties both in pure form and in the form of an extract in biologically active additives, in the composition of medicines, for the treatment and prevention of many diseases(especially active in China, Korea, Japan).

Scientists have isolated polyphenol oligonol from lychee, which rid the body of free radicals. Lychee fruits are useful for sight- contain zeaxanthin.

Exotic lychee is a part of anticancer drugs, sedatives, immune supporters, heart, decongestants, cold and other drugs. Lychee syrup helps with anemia. Traditional medicine actively uses fruits, peels, seeds, lychee flowers to treat many diseases.

Europeans learned about lychee in the 17th century. And in Thailand, Africa, Australia, Japan and China, the evergreen lichi fruit tree has been cultivated since ancient times.

The fruits are mentioned in the treatises of ancient China of the 2nd century BC. For the Chinese, lychee is a plant that grows everywhere. Fruits in China are used for food, wine is made from them.

In mid-latitudes, lychees can be purchased in stores. The fruit has another name - Chinese cherry. The fruit outwardly does not look like the familiar berries and fruits: it is covered with a thick "pimply" peel, inside there is a white jelly-like pulp and a dark stone. Thanks to this appearance the Chinese call the lychee "dragon's eye". The peel and bone are inedible, the pulp tastes like white grapes or plums.

Lychees are grown in tropical and subtropical regions. They are available from May to October. This is a summer fruit, therefore, if fresh lychees can only be bought in the hot season. It is recommended to eat lychee raw or dried, but when dried, the fruit loses its aroma. At the same time, dried lychees are more concentrated in nutrients.

Lychee composition

In addition to vitamins and mineral substances, lychee contains protein, fiber, proanthocyanidins and polyphenols. This fruit is one of the low-calorie foods.

Vitamins:

• C - 119%;
• B6 - 5%;
• B2 - 4%;
• B3 - 3%;
• B9 - 3%.

Minerals:

The calorie content of lychee is 66 kcal per 100 g.

The benefits of lychee

The tropical fruit helps in treating digestive problems, boosting blood circulation, preventing cancer and improving skin condition. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial properties of lychee.

For bones and muscles

Lychee is a source of nutrients necessary for the musculoskeletal system. Magnesium, phosphorus, iron and manganese enhance the absorption of calcium in bones, making them strong and healthy. The flavonoids in the fruit treat inflammation and tissue damage after intense exercise.

For the heart and blood vessels

Lychee improves blood circulation. Flavonoids, fiber and lychee support heart health and increase blood nitric oxide levels.

Lychee is rich in potassium and does not contain sodium, so it maintains fluid balance in the body. Potassium is considered a vasodilator that prevents narrowing of blood vessels and arteries, reducing stress on the cardiovascular system. The potassium content in dried lychee is almost 3 times higher than in fresh lychee.

For the brain and nerves

Eating lychee improves cognitive function and prevents neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.

For eyes

Lychee provides the body with a daily requirement of vitamin C. This vitamin has antioxidant properties and its use reduces the risk of developing cataracts, as well as inflammation of the middle part of the eye.

For bronchi

Lychee is effective in fighting coughs and asthma. It relieves swelling, relieves pain, protects against infections and reduces the symptoms of respiratory diseases.

For the digestive tract

Lychee is a source of dietary fiber that can help you lose weight. Lychee is high in water and low in fat. In addition, lychee is a low-calorie fruit that keeps you full and protects you from overeating for a long time.

For the kidneys

Lychee helps improve kidney health. It contains potassium, which is helpful in flushing out toxic deposits in the kidneys. The fetus lowers the concentration of uric acid in the blood and reduces the chances of kidney stones. Lychee acts as a natural diuretic that relieves pain caused by kidney stones.

For skin

Lychee contains a lot of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Free radicals lead to rapid aging. The vitamin C in lychee fights these free radicals. It increases collagen production and improves skin condition.

For immunity

The main benefit of lychee for the body is abundance. It stimulates the activity of white blood cells, which are the defenses of the body's immune system.

A strange fruit called "lychee", which looks more like a toy, is little known here in Russia. Most people are completely unaware of its existence. The history of the origin of this fruit goes back to ancient times. It is known that the first mentions of the plant appeared before our era.

During its existence, as soon as it was called: "dragon eye", "paradise grapes", "fruit of love", "Chinese cherry". In Russia, the berry is not in such demand, but in vain. Lychee fruit - what is it and what is it eaten with? Today's article will be devoted to this fruitful and very useful plant.

Where do you come from?

Let's say right away that this is a very tall tropical tree, reaching 30 meters in height. Its fruits have an ovoid shape with a pimpled skin of a bright red hue with a diameter of no more than 3.5 cm. The flesh of the berry is very soft, of a jelly-like consistency of cream or white color, a large brown seed is hidden under it. The taste is pleasant, reminiscent of cherries - sweet and sour and refreshing.

The lychee berry is cultivated mainly on subtropical continents: in South America, China, Southeast Asia, Japan and Africa. Exported all over the world. It is implemented quite profitably, since it is valued not only for high taste, but also useful properties. Due to long-term storage, there are no problems with transportation.

How to grow?

With a strong desire, you can grow this beautiful plant at home. Just remember that the tree is very demanding on humidity, air temperature and lighting. In order for the plant to begin bearing fruit, all the rules should be strictly adhered to. For cultivation, you can use lychee seed, which should not be stored for more than two days.

At first, young seedlings grow very quickly, but after the seedlings reach 20 cm, a slowdown in growth is observed - by about several years. Water the plant as the soil dries up; it is also required to regularly carry out foliar feeding. During the period of intense flowering, it is necessary to carefully monitor the air temperature - it should not fall below +15 o C. It is advisable to install the pot on the west side.

Than the calorie content

It should be noted that the berry is dietary product- there are only 70 kcal per 100 g. Therefore, it can be safely consumed by anyone who adheres to the principles of proper and low-calorie nutrition. Distinctive features overseas fruit - a rich biochemical composition and useful properties that have a healing effect on the body.

The berries contain a whole complex of vitamins of group B, E, C, H, K. In particular, they contain trace elements: potassium, sodium, fluorine, iodine, manganese, selenium, sulfur and others. All these substances are necessary for the proper functioning of our body and life. Lychee fruit contains a lot of complex carbohydrates, water, dietary fiber, protein and a minimum amount of fat. It also contains sugar from 6 to 14% - it all depends on the region of growth and variety.

The main advantage of the berry is the content of nicotinic acid in the composition. Due to its healing properties, it is widely used in cooking and folk medicine. Do you know how lychees eat? It can be consumed both fresh and boiled. The pulp is often used as a filling for cooking confectionery, But more on that later.

Medicinal use

The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire treat lychees with deep respect and love. "Chinese plum", in their opinion, is able to work miracles and get rid of serious ailments - it has been tested by practice. Eating daily can help lower cholesterol levels, normalize the cardiovascular system and restore memory.

It is recommended as an aphrodisiac, as the fruit perfectly stimulates libido and increases potency. In addition, the fruits have a mild laxative effect, so they are shown to be eaten by people suffering from chronic constipation. And thanks to the water content, berries perfectly quench thirst and relieve intestinal disorders.

Nutritionists advise to consume "Chinese plum" during the diet, as it will fill the body with useful vitamins and will not add weight. Traditional healers with the help of decoctions (from the peel of the fruit) treated gastritis, anemia, diabetes, gastric ulcer, pancreas and pathological processes in the kidneys. Also, decoctions and infusions were used as a diuretic and tonic.

In China, for example, they mixed the pulp of a fruit with lemongrass, medicinal herbs and used the resulting mixture for therapeutic purposes in malignant tumors. In eastern countries, it was used for diseases of the liver, kidneys, lungs, tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. The healing properties are preserved even in dried and canned state. Therefore, the question of how lychees are eaten should not arise. Many doctors recommend including it in the diet of young children.

Fruit harm

Eating too much can cause allergies. The optimal daily dosage should not exceed one hundred grams. The fruits are not recommended to be eaten at the same time as other fruits, as this will provoke gas formation and bloating. According to Chinese healers, lychee intensifies the "inner fire", that is, when overeating, a person may experience nausea, discomfort in the throat, fever and migraine. To restore vital energy, it is recommended to exclude berries from the diet for a couple of days and eat meals only in a cold state. Now let's talk about how lychees are eaten.

Cooking applications

Exotic fruits are harmoniously combined with any types of meat and fish delicacies, they are also served with fresh salads and pate. Flesh is used as a filling for pancakes, pies and pies - this is how lychees are eaten in China. In addition to this, they are added to sweet desserts, ice cream and even (wine and champagne). Let's describe some delicious and healthy recipes.

Gourmet Lychee Cupcake

The dish contains three hundred grams of lychee berries. To prepare the creamy mass, you will need: butter (one hundred grams), two eggs, one lemon and sugar to taste. You will also need vanillin.

Prepare the cream: squeeze the juice out of the lemon, and grate the peel. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar until fluffy and butter... Mix with lemon zest and juice. Cook the mixture in a water bath, stirring continuously, until the consistency becomes thick and homogeneous. Put peeled and chopped lychees in small molds. Fill them with a creamy mass. We send to the oven for a maximum of 15 minutes at 180 ° C.

Sherbet with lime and lychee

Ingredients: a kilogram of tropical berries, half a liter of pineapple juice, four limes, a plate of gelatin and a glass of sugar.

Soak gelatin in cold water... During this time, we peel the fruit, remove the seed from them and cut into small cubes. Warm lime juice, add sugar with gelatin and pineapple juice there. Pour into molds and place in the freezer for an hour. Refreshing, light and very delicious dessert ready.

We told you how to eat lychee. The fruit adds a pleasant sourness and a certain piquancy to any dish.

How to choose the right fruit?

The ripening season for berries begins in July-August, at which time you can safely buy them. Although not only in summer they are put up for sale - they are on store shelves all year round. In order not to inadvertently buy a spoiled product, you need to learn how to choose it. Look closely at the skin of the fruit, its color and texture. Fresh product must be free from defects, dents and damage, bright red.

Dark skin indicates staleness of the product. The place near the stem of a fresh berry has no white spots and mold. Shake the fruit before buying: rotten fruit does not make sounds. Pay attention to the scent: an overripe lychee has a tart, sweet scent, a fresh one has a rose scent. In the off-season, we recommend purchasing canned berries.

How to save?

It is recommended to keep the fruits in the refrigerator, so they will last for a week. And it is best to freeze them, having previously cleaned them. To increase the shelf life, you can dry the berries, and then cook compotes and add them to flour products.

Now, dear readers, you know what lychees are eaten with, what these berries are and where they grow. The usefulness of overseas fruits - common truth and an old axiom that does not require confirmation. They are able to normalize metabolic processes, improve overall health and cope with various pathologies.