How to cook longan

The longan is a small fruit similar to the lychee. The fruit, which develops in drooping clusters, is about 1 inch in diameter and has a smooth, yellow-brown skin. Inside is a single black seed surrounded by white, translucent flesh that has a sweet, slightly musky flavor.

Family – Sapindaceae
Scientific name – Nephelium longana

Common name – longan

High in vitamin C

Varieties

The most popular varieties of longan are the Blackball, cultivated in China, the E Bure, E Dol, and E Haw from Thailand, the Shek Kip from Hong Kong, and the Kohala, which was developed in Hawaii.

Origin and botanical facts

The longan is native to southern China, where it remains a popular fruit. In 1903, theUnited States Department of Agriculture introduced the Chinese varieties of the longan to Florida, and cultivation was brought to Bermuda, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Today the longan is cultivated throughout southeast Asia, in Central America, and in the United States, where the leading producers are Hawaii and Florida.

The longan tree is a tropical to subtropical evergreen that can reach heights of up to 35 feet and widths to 45 feet. Although it prefers warm weather, the mature tree can tolerate brief exposure to temperatures slightly below freezing. The tree’s large leaves, up to a foot long, create a dense, dark green foliage. The tree blooms once a year with small, greenish yellow flowers. The fruit develops in large, drooping clusters over about a 4-month period. Even in the best growing conditions, fruit yield can be erratic.

The tree is propagated easily from seed, but because the tree must be 6 to 9 years old before bearing fruit (and even then the quality is not predictable), commercial propagation is usually accomplished by air layering or grafting.

How to cook longan

The longan is particularly popular in China and southeast Asia, where it is eaten fresh, dried, and canned. The fruit also stores well when frozen. Because it is similar to the lychee, the longan can be used as a substitute in a variety of recipes. In addition to providing delicious fruit, the longan tree is an attractive addition to the garden, furnishing significant shade because of the length and density of its foliage.