24 March 2016
About LycheeLychee is the fruit of the tree Lychee chinensis.
In India too, it is called lychee. Lychee belongs to the family Sapindaceae or the soapberry family. It is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of 30 to 100 feet in tropical to subtropical areas worldwide and is native to China, Taiwan and the Southeast Asia. The fruits are sweet smelling with a delicate flavor. The outer thin skin is rough and red in color and encloses a pearly white translucent pulp that is soft. The rough skin is easily removable. Lychee has been grown for over 4000 years and worldwide numerous cultivars of lychee are grown. How Lychee Is DriedLychees can be dehydrated or dried naturally along with their skin. When dehydrated their skin turns a cinnamon brown color and becomes brittle.
The flesh turns a dark brown-black color. Lychees can be dried by hanging the clusters of the fruit in a closed air conditioned room too or can be left to dry in the sun. In humid weather or areas, it can be dried by supplying heat. The dried and dehydrated fruits stay good for up to a year. Uses Of LycheeLitchi can be used in many ways.
Lychee Nutritional BenefitsLitchi fruit provides about 3% of the daily calorie requirement per 100 grams.
It is free of saturated fats and cholesterol and has good amounts of dietary fiber about 3.5% of the daily needs/100 grams. The polyphenol oligonol is abundant in lychee. Oligonol has antioxidant property and also has anti viral activity against the influenza virus. Lychee has excellent levels of Vitamin C and provides about 119% of the daily value/100 grams. It contains good levels of the bcomplex vitamins riboflavin. niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine and folates. Lychee also contains good levels of the mineral copper and some amounts of potassium, iron, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. Lychee Health BenefitsLychee is good skin protecting fruit. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays and improves blood flow to the organs also.
The vitamin C boosts immunity and resistance to disease and protects against free radical damage. Oligonol is also a great protector against free radical destruction. Folates prevent neural tube defects in the growing fetus and is a boon for pregnant women. Lychee helps regulate blood pressure and heart beat because it has potassium in it. The copper and folates raise the hemoglobin levels and prevent anemia. Lychee gives instant energy, is cooling in summer and is good for reducing weight. The fiber helps in digestion, acidity and nausea issues. It reduces risk to heart disease and cancer due to the antioxidants and oligonol. Lychee reduces inflammation, pain even nerve pain and shrinks swollen glands. It has diuretic action, flushes out the toxins via the kidneys. PrecautionsLychee is hot in nature. Consuming them in excess may cause skin rashes and even fainting. Hence do not over consume.
Lychee RecipesWatch the video below to make
Lychee Mojito Cocktail Watch the video below to make
Non-Alcoholic Martini Recipes Watch the video below to make
The White House Restaurant Ginger and Lychee Caipiroska Watch the video below to make
Lychee Phirni |
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