Litchis

The Journey from Litchi Tree to Your Dinner Plate

Litchis, also known as lichee, are one of the oldest fruits known to humans. Thought to have originated in the Malayan region of Southeast Asia, litchis are particularly popular in the warmer climates of India and China. Litchis have been enjoyed for their unique flavor, aroma, and nutritional benefits for thousands of years. But how does this tropical fruit travel from the litchi tree to your dinner plate? Let’s explore its fascinating journey.

Litchi Trees and Growing Process

The litchi plant is a member of the Sapindaceae family, and as such, is related to other popular fruits, such as the lychee, longan, and rambutan. It is a semi-tropical tree that grows best in warm, tropical climates, with temperatures ideally between 75° – 95° F.

Litchis grow on evergreen trees that can reach heights of up to 30ft with a spread of around 10ft. They produce an abundance of fragrant flowers during the spring. After the flowers are pollinated by insects, small round fruit, resembling a large raspberry, begins to develop. Most trees will not bear fruit until they are at least four years old, and litchi trees can take up to 6 to 10 years before they reach peak production.

Fruiting on the litchi tree will typically occur in clusters containing anywhere from 10 to as many as 100 small green fruits. During this period, each fruit will swell steadily in size over the course of several weeks. The ripening process is gradual, progressing from a deep green to a vibrant red. When the fruit’s skin is smooth, plump, and red, demonstrating visible air pockets near the stem, it has fully ripened and is ready for harvest.

Harvesting the Fruit

Litchis are harvested by hand at the peak of ripeness, guided solely by the skill of the harvester’s eyes and experience. Teams of skilled and experienced pickers will climb into the trees, or use ladders and ropes, to handpick. They harvest the fruit in batches of 8-10 pounds at a time, many of which are destined to be eaten fresh, while some are destined for further processing.

Processing the Fruit

Once the litchi fruit has been harvested, it typically passes through a sorting process to separate the ripe fruit from any underripe specimens. From there it is washed and allowed to dry. The purpose of this process is to remove dirt, pesticides, and also to damage any waste and discard any bad product.

Next, workers will remove the seeds from the fruit. This is a difficult, labor-intensive process. Once the seeds have been removed, the litchis are covered in syrup or juice and packaged into cans, jars, bottles, or plastic bags. These packages are then filled with CO2 or nitrogen to protect the product from oxidation and microorganisms, and are then sealed, labeled, and stored in a refrigerated warehouse.

Finally, the litchi is ready for shipment and will typically be transported globally to major ports, markets, and grocery stores via refrigerated shipping containers. From here, the litchi could be destined for your dinner plate.

The Feast is Ready!

Once the litchi arrives at your grocery store, you can choose from fresh, frozen, dried, or canned litchi fruit and leathers, depending on the season and availability. Some people enjoy eating litchis fresh, while others prefer to add them to a variety of dishes such as stir fries, salads, desserts, and beverages.

But no matter how you choose to enjoy your litchis, you will be benefiting nutritionally as well. High in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and Potassium, litchis are low in calories, packed with antioxidants, and offer anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties.

In conclusion, the journey of the litchi is truly remarkable: grown, harvested, and processed with care, the litchi eventually makes its way from its home in the tropics to your dinner plate. Enjoying litchis is a delight both for your taste buds and for your wellbeing.