Review article about the exotic longan fruit: where and how it grows, what it looks like and how it is eaten, taste, health and harm, chemical composition and calorie content.
The content of the article:
Longan is the fruit of a tropical evergreen tree up to 12 m in height. Botanical name - Dimocarpus longan, class Dicotyledonous, division of Angiosperms. And the common household plant “dragon eye” received its origin in its homeland in China (from “long yang”), due to the amazing similarity of the longan fruit and the large eye. Now trees grow in Vietnam, Taiwan (local name Lamyai), Indonesia, India, Laos, Cuba and other warm countries. Another version of the origin of the plant is the province of the same name in Vietnam.
On one of the fruiting branches of a tall tree with a dense and spreading crown, many small “nuts” ripen from 1.3 cm to 2.5 cm in diameter. The fruits ripen from June to August and a harvest of 200 kg is collected. The peel of the longan fruit is light brown, thin, brittle, sometimes a reddish tint can be seen, it is not edible. But it is easy to peel, and a delicate, mucous, transparent and sweet pulp appears, inside which sits a large, dark, shiny, hard, round seed. Indeed, it looks a lot like the open eye of a dragon.
How to eat longan?
The fruit is sold in bunches, like grapes. Each “nut” is not very juicy, but has a specific taste with a hint of musk. The aroma, although pronounced, is also unique. Slightly aged fruits have a more pleasant taste, but you need to keep in mind that longan quickly deteriorates (5-6 days in the refrigerator). For transportation, the crop is harvested while still green.
Longan is eaten fresh. Like any fruit, it is used to complement ice cream and desserts, and served with spicy and hot dishes. Drinks made from it perfectly quench thirst, improve appetite and refresh. For example, in Thailand they eat sweet longan soup, prepare snacks and desserts, dry it, and preserve it with syrup. In canned form, this exotic fruit also comes to store shelves from Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Lovers of sweet alcoholic drinks can treat themselves to liqueurs made from the “dragon's eye”.
Chemical composition and calorie content of longan
The fresh fruit (in the pericarp shell) contains many biologically active compounds: flavonoids, polysaccharides and phenolic acids. In addition to organic acids, micro- and macroelements, vitamins, fiber.
So, 100 g of fresh longan contains:
- Fat - 0.10 g
- Carbohydrates - 15.13g
- Protein - 1.30 g
- Fiber, dietary fiber - 1.12 g
- Water - 82.8 g
- 4.9 g - proteins
- 0.4 g - fats
- 74 g - carbohydrates
- B1 thiamine - 0.039 mg
- B2 riboflavin - 0.13 mg
- B3 niacin - 0.303 mg
- C - 84.08 mg
- Potassium - 266.2 mg
- Phosphorus - 21.4 mg
- Magnesium - 10.2 mg
- Copper - 0.17 mg
- Calcium - 0.99 mg
- Iron - 0.125 mg
- Manganese - 0.05 mg
- Zinc - 0.049 mg
Useful properties of longan
If we talk about the benefits of longan, then we can safely consider the entire tree. For example, the leaves of this plant have antioxidant properties. Flower extract suppresses inflammatory and oxidative processes, lowers blood pressure and improves coronary blood flow. This a large number of polyphenolic compounds, as in the extract of longan seeds and flowers, can be used to prevent diabetes and cancer processes in the body and to treat neoplasms.
A separate extract of longan seeds, consisting of ellagic, gallic and carilaginic acids, slows down cell aging.
The pulp of the fruits of this tropical plant (both fresh and dried) is used in oriental medicine to prevent and treat inflammation, stomach diseases, as an anthelmintic and to reduce high body temperature. Riboflavin contained in longan improves immunity and tones. In general, it eliminates fatigue, supports vision, normalizes sleep, calms, relieves dizziness, and improves concentration. In traditional Chinese medicine, longan fruits and a decoction of them are “prescribed” for metabolic disorders and as a sedative and sleeping pill. Powder from the seed of the “dragon’s eye” contains tannins, fats and saponin, so it can stop bleeding, cure eczema, hernias, dropsy, enlarged lymph nodes of the armpits and neck, and dropsy.
Contraindications to the use of longan
Nothing can be said about harm to health - the fruit does not contain toxic substances. But some may have an individual intolerance to the product; only for them this exotic fruit may be contraindicated.
Lovers of exotic treats who have at least once visited Asia have come across a little-known and unusual fruit - longan. Many gourmets, accustomed to eating something unusual and unique to their taste, note all the delights of this exotic fruit. Under the inconspicuous-looking crust lies delicious pulp, rich in vitamins and other useful elements.
How and where does it grow?
Longan is a delicious exotic fruit whose homeland is considered to be China. However, almost simultaneously it was discovered near Burma; in these expanses, the fruit tree is quite well known today. It is also common in Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
The tree is harvested all year round as the tree is considered to be ever green.
The longan fruit belongs to the Sapindaceae family; its closest relatives include Spanish lime and lychee. The tree grows quite tall, sometimes reaching 13 meters, the diameter of the branches is approximately 10 m wide.
Are longan and longkong the same fruit?
Longan and longkong are completely different fruits, although they have quite similar names and appearance.
How are they different from each other? Fruit growth occurs in the same way, both of them are similar to bunches of grapes, however, longan fruits are located far from the main branch (see photo), slightly lighter and smaller in color, unlike longkong berries, which overshadow the branch almost completely, leaving no free space. space, but its structure is larger and more oval.
The coating of longan is much harder; longkong peels softly, like an orange.
Longan and lychee
Lychee and longan can be called close relatives, both are popular in China and are considered evergreen, but there are few similarities between them. Outwardly, they are so different that it is absolutely impossible to confuse them.
- a tropical plant that has elongated leaves. The clusters contain about 15 fruits, and the number of varieties reaches 100. The peel has a hard base with numerous pimples. The pulp is separated from the peel without much difficulty, it has a soft consistency, a sour taste, and a pronounced aroma. There is a dark bone in the center.
Lychee contains many vitamin complexes; consuming it fills a person with energy and strength, quenches thirst, helps fight anemia, and also helps improve digestion. Pairs great with lime, ginger and coconut.
What are the features of longan:
- Taste. It is quite difficult to describe the taste of longan. For those who have never tried it, it is rather impossible. What does the fruit look like? These are grapes, however, the taste is radically different; a parallel can be drawn with melon. There are notes of musk with a sweet, not cloying undertone. You should not oversaturate your body with tasty fruit: this can cause stomach upset.
- Consistency. The internal consistency of the fruit is very soft and juicy, has a whitish-pearlescent tint, and has a slightly viscous content. There is a thick peel on top, which begins to burst under force.
- Aroma. The aromatic qualities of longan cannot be compared with other fruits of a subtropical climate. The smell is incredibly pleasant and delicate, without caustic impurities, a little similar to pineapple.
How to choose quality fruit?
In Asian countries, longan can be seen on the shelves of supermarkets and markets all year round. In appearance it is quite difficult to determine whether it is ripe. It's worth asking to taste it before buying. If it seems sour to you, it means that the fruit is not yet fully ripe; it is better for it to sit for a few more days for complete ripening. The appearance of the peel should be free of bulges and dents, without damage or cracks. The fruit lends itself well to cooling, so you can safely put it in the refrigerator without fear that it will spoil.
How to clean and eat longan?
Before eating the fruit, you need to peel the peel:
- rinse well under running water;
- make an incision or bite with your teeth;
- after the fruit has become mother-in-law, carefully remove the outer peel;
- You can eat the fruit after cleaning all the bones.
Longan is a small ball that easily fits in your hand. By placing the fruit between your index finger and thumb, pressing first, you can peel it without difficulty. There will be light flesh on the palm, with a brown bone inside.
Dried fruits are often made from it, which are added to various dishes and drinks. In Thailand, for example, they prepare a tasty and refreshing drink: the fruits are dried in the fresh air, then boiled with added sugar until all the juice is released. The next stage is tincture and cooling of the drink, which soon comes to the table. Longan is suitable for preparing salads and first courses.
Is the kernel edible?
Bone should absolutely not be used, as its properties are poisonous, which at best will lead to gastrointestinal upset. When carefully peeling the fruit, you need to carefully remove all the remaining seeds and throw them away, the rest can be consumed without fear of consequences - such actions will be correct.
Beneficial properties for the body
You can talk about the benefits of longan for many hours, since the composition of this fruit is unique in its own way and contains many useful vitamins and microelements:
The leaves are dried and also used for medicinal purposes, for example, in the fight against heart disease and nervous disorders.
It is also useful for the prevention of cancer and diabetes.
Who should avoid using it?
There are no contraindications to the use of longan. The only risk is individual intolerance, and, as a result, an allergic reaction. Doctors do not recommend giving it to children under 3 years of age. When eating for the first time, do not overeat, but try a few pieces.
The exotic fruit longan means “dragon eye” in Chinese. This special name of the fruit is associated with an ancient legend about a young man who killed an evil dragon and died in an unequal battle defending his village. Soon, on the grave of the brave Longan, a tree grew with berries that resembled the gouged out eyes of a formidable monster.
Where is dragon eye grown?
The small yellow exotic fruit is the fruit of an evergreen tree in the Sapindaceae family. China is considered the birthplace of longan, where the cultivation of the plant began in the 3rd century BC. Today the fruit is grown in the countries of Southeast Asia, where a subtropical climate prevails:
- Taiwan,
- Indonesia,
- Thailand.
There is a belief that the fruit began to be called “dragon’s eye” in honor of the Vietnamese province of Long An. It’s hard to say whether this is true or not, because this is known only from the words of local residents.
The fruits ripen in clusters and have a round shape with a diameter of no more than 2.5 cm. The berries are covered with a dense, rough yellow peel. Their inner part is represented by pale pink pulp with a jelly-like consistency, behind which lies an oblong inedible bone of a dark brown or reddish color.
Remedy for depression and bad mood
Longan is an amazing plant, the fruits of which can not only delight the taste buds, but also have a positive effect on human health and well-being:
- The fruit contains vitamin C, which actively fights viruses and helps strengthen the immune system.
- Iron and phosphorus make the fruit a powerful antioxidant, allowing the body to resist the harmful effects of the environment.
- The composition includes substances from the phenol group, which act as a protective shield for the liver.
Taking longan daily will help get rid of chronic fatigue, dizziness, arrhythmia and depression. The low glucose content makes it possible for people with diabetes to consume the fruit.
What is the nutritional value
The tropical tree fruit is considered a dietary product, since its calorie content per 100 g is 60 kcal, of which:
- proteins – 1.31 g;
- fats – 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates – 14.04 g;
- water – 82.75 g;
- fiber – 1.1 g;
- ash – 0.7 g.
At room temperature, fresh fruit can be stored for no more than 3-4 days Longan contains many microelements important for the body, the main one being potassium. It takes part in saturating the brain with oxygen and stabilizing heart rate.
The daily intake of longan for an adult should not exceed 200 grams.
The fruit has no serious contraindications, but can cause an allergic reaction in people who have an individual intolerance to its chemical composition.
The fruit has translucent flesh with a specific taste, reminiscent of both refreshing kiwi, sweet melon and berry juice. A characteristic feature of the fruit is its rich musky aroma.
Longan is a relative, but it has a more pronounced sweet taste, elasticity of the inside and less juiciness.
Dried fruit must be stored in a closed container How to keep it fresh
High quality longan sold in Thai markets must meet the following requirements:
- sold in bunches;
- do not fall off the branches;
- have a dense skin without cracks or damage;
- have a sweet taste.
Longan is a perishable product. It is possible to preserve its quality and freshness only for 3-4 days at room conditions and a temperature not exceeding 25˚C.
You can extend the shelf life of the fruit to 10 days in the refrigerator at a temperature not lower than 8˚C.
It is not recommended to freeze fruits, as they tend to lose their taste. In addition, after defrosting they acquire a gelatinous consistency. To delight yourself with the taste of the exotic all year round, there is a convenient method of processing - canning berries.
Longan dishes are a real euphoria of taste
Dragon's eye is consumed fresh, and is also used to prepare light snacks, soups, hot sauces, desserts and drinks. Before eating, you need to peel the berry and carefully break the pulp to remove the seed.
Coconut dessert with longan
This dish is the hallmark of Thai cuisine. To prepare 5 servings of dessert you will need no more than 45 minutes of time and the following ingredients.
The technology for preparing the dish is quite simple; for this you need:
- Pour water over rice. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
- Grind the pandan leaves in a blender with 200 ml water until smooth.
- Add the resulting mixture to the rice porridge. Cook until thick.
- Peel and remove half of the longan berries.
- Cut the fruits and jaggery into small pieces and add the ingredients along with ¼ tsp. salt in rice
- Stir thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved and remove from heat.
- To prepare the sauce, pour it into a container, add ¼ tsp. salt and put on the stove.
- After boiling, cook for 5 minutes over low heat.
- To serve, place rice in a dessert bowl, pour over coconut sauce and cover with finely chopped longan.
- You can decorate the dish with chopped peanuts and mint.
Drinks with the addition of longan perfectly refresh, quench thirst and give a boost of vivacity and energy.
Price in Russian stores
Longan is a little-known fruit that is difficult to find in a regular supermarket. You can buy exotic fruit in stores that specialize in selling products from Southeast Asia.
Longan is a universal product, because not only the fruits, but also the tree itself are valuable. Local people in Vietnam use the seeds of the berries as an antidote for snake bites. The wood of the plant has a reddish tint and is easy to process, which is why exquisite furniture is made from it.
The benefits and harms of longan are determined by its chemical composition and effect on the body. There are several simple rules: how to select and clean this fruit, which should be followed in order to get the maximum benefit from consuming the product. The fruits contain a whole range of useful vitamins and minerals, which are used in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Longan seed powder also has medicinal properties.
What does longan look like and where does it grow?
Longan is a tropical fruit that resembles grapes in appearance (it also grows in clusters), but is more similar to its closest relative, lychee.
Grows in Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam. Unlike grapes, longan fruits ripen on tall trees. The shape is spherical, up to 3 cm in diameter. The color of the peel is from light beige to brown, more often yellowish. The peel itself is thin but dense. The pulp inside the fruit is translucent, the seed is dark, shiny, as if polished, inedible.
Comment! When cut, the longan resembles an eye and is called “the eye of the dragon.” The name reveals the features of national mythology and the eastern cult of dragon worship.
The pulp of the fruit is juicy and tastes like a sweet melon. There is a great similarity with another exotic fruit - lychee. Ripe longan has a specific, sweet taste. If you feel strong sourness, it means the fruit is unripe. Unripe fruits are often picked before sale to increase the shelf life of the product.
Chemical composition of longan
Longan contains natural vitamins and mineral components, the benefits of which are much greater than those of synthetic pharmaceutical analogues:
- vit. WITH;
- vit. B1 (thiamine);
- vit. B2 (riboflavin);
- vit. B3 (niacin).
Minerals:
- potassium - 260 mg;
- magnesium - 10.1 mg;
- phosphorus - 21.4 mg;
- copper - 0.2 mg;
- iron - 0.12 mg;
- calcium - 0.1 mg;
- manganese - 0.06 mg;
- zinc - 0.05 mg.
Nutritional value and calorie content of longan
The sweet taste of the fruit is felt due to the high content of fruit sugars (carbohydrates). Compound:
- carbohydrates - 15 g;
- fats - 0.1 g;
- proteins - 1.5 g;
- fiber - 1.1 g;
- water - 82.3 g.
The calorie content of the fresh product is 60 kcal. Dried longan has more calories - 280 kcal.
Composition of dehydrated (dried) fruits per 100 g:
- carbohydrates - 75 g;
- proteins - 5.0 g;
- fats - 0.5 g.
Advice! If you need to lose weight, you should limit your consumption of dried fruits, they are very high in calories.
It is better to eat more fresh fruits that contain a lot of water with active ingredients dissolved in it; such a diet “accelerates” the metabolism well.
What are the benefits of longan for the body?
Fruits absorb the energy of the sun, and in the process of their consumption transfer this energy to humans. The more sun, the juicier and sweeter the fruits, and the more carbohydrates (glucose) they contain. Functioning is impossible without glucose human body. This is especially important for brain and muscle activity.
Glucose is the main source of nutrition for the brain. Fruits contain the healthiest carbohydrates. The fruits are not just sweet and juicy; in addition to carbohydrates, they contain a whole range of healthy substances that are quickly absorbed and, when consumed wisely, do not cause harm to the body. But this only applies to fresh products. When preserved, fruits lose most of their beneficial properties: minerals are partially preserved, but most vitamins and enzymes are destroyed. Therefore, you should eat fresh fruits, which are much more beneficial.
Longan contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals with beneficial properties. It is especially rich in vitamin C, so the fruits are used as a preventative and therapeutic agent for colds and strengthening the immune system. B vitamins and magnesium are responsible for health nervous system. Phosphorus is essential for normal brain function.
Important! A high potassium content has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Longan reduces blood pressure and improves overall well-being in hypertension.
The benefit of longan for men is that the fruit contains the microelement zinc, which is beneficial for men's health, which promotes the production of testosterone.
Comment! Longan fruits have tonic properties. This feature of the fruit is actively used in Chinese folk medicine.
Research is underway medicinal properties longan as an antitumor agent.
The obvious benefit of eating these fruits is to speed up metabolism. This is especially important for those who want to lose weight and lose excess weight. Longan improves digestion, has anthelmintic properties, cleanses and restores blood vessels, and reduces blood pressure.
Important! Eating fruits, especially fresh, provides excellent vitamins and saturates the body with biologically active and beneficial substances.
This is necessary to maintain a healthy and slim figure; it is a good option to diversify your diet with greater benefit.
In addition to the fruits, longan leaves, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, are also used in oriental medicine.
Benefits and Applications of Longan Seed Powder
Longan seeds are quite large and inedible. The seeds are ground into powder and used to prepare a medicinal powder for the skin. The powder has anti-inflammatory, astringent and wound-healing properties. It is used for skin diseases and to stop bleeding. The hemostatic properties of longan seed powder are due to the high content of tannins in them. Ground seeds are also added to toothpastes. The drug is also used as a remedy against severe sweating.
How to properly clean and eat longan
The peel of the fruit is thin and breaks easily when pressed with a fingernail. In order to peel the fruit, you need to knead it a little in your hands, press a groove with your fingernail and free the pulp from the peel. You can do this with a knife. The point of peeling a fruit is to get to the juicy and sweet pulp.
Advice! The fruits should be peeled immediately before consumption. Peeled longan spoils quickly.
Fruits are eaten fresh. Longan is harvested all year round, so there is no shortage of fresh fruits.
A sweet liqueur is made from the pulp. The product is added to desserts, ice cream, vegetable soups, and added to sauces.
Comment! At heat treatment fruit, the vitamin C in it is completely destroyed.
Canned longan is supplied to America. In this form, the product loses most of its vitamins and beneficial properties, and if consumed in excess, it can cause harm to health, like any canned food.
Important! Fruits, especially sweet ones, are recommended to be eaten alone or together with other fruits.
They are digested in the intestines and do not stay long in the stomach if there is no other food there. And after 40 minutes the stomach is freed up for other dishes.
You should not eat sweet fruits, including longan, along with foods containing animal proteins.
Protein foods stay the longest in the stomach, as this is where protein digestion occurs. As a result, the normal digestion process is disrupted: fruits cannot enter the intestines, where they would be well digested, and animal proteins end up in the intestines underdigested. In this way, rotting processes are started instead of normal digestion, which, in turn, harms the entire body. Therefore, it is advisable to know in what sequence and in what combination to consume different foods.
Harm of longan and contraindications
Longan is an exotic product native to subtropical and tropical countries. Therefore, for residents of mid-latitudes, active consumption of fruits at one time can have a detrimental effect on the state of the digestive system.
Important! It is necessary to gradually accustom the body to an unfamiliar food product. Especially if you have digestive problems.
When traveling to tropical countries, you should wait for an acclimatization period before loading your body with food that is unusual for it. This must be done to avoid harming yourself.
In the absence of allergic reactions and other negative consequences, you can increase the portions of this fruit.
How to select and store longan
It is difficult to determine the degree of ripeness of a fruit by appearance, so taste it before purchasing. Ripe fruits have a sweet taste.
Important! The longan peel must be intact; it performs a protective function and if it is damaged, the fruit quickly deteriorates.
If the peel is greenish and the pulp tastes sour, then the fruit should ripen for a couple of days at room temperature. Strongly acidic fruits contain many organic acids, which aggressively attack tooth enamel and can cause harm to teeth.
Ripe fruits are stored in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen, while the taste and most of the beneficial properties of the fruit are preserved, and the shelf life increases to several months.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of eating longan fruits largely depend on how ripe the product was, so you should only eat ripe fruits. With a balanced diet, the harm from fruits is minimal. Possible problems may arise in the case of individual intolerance and a tendency to food allergies. To get the maximum benefit from this fruit, it must be consumed fresh, separately from other foods. This is how a food product turns into a tasty medicine and a good preventative against diseases. Don’t forget about longan seed powder, which is also used as a medicinal product.
Longan, with its obvious health benefits and minimal harm, is one of those food products that is worth paying attention to and definitely trying.
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Asian "grape" - longan fruit
Two countries can lay claim to the title of the birthplace of this fruit: wild specimens were first discovered in the mountains separating China and Myanmar.
Representatives of the Han Dynasty, who ruled the Celestial Empire two centuries BC, dreamed of cultivating Longan. However, the trees did not take root in the northwestern capital province. Longan is a fastidious fruit; it liked the mild climate of the south of the country. It is still grown here today.
In Thailand, King Chulalongkorn himself became the godfather of the plant. He was given seedlings by one of his subjects who returned from China. Four (according to another version five) seedlings were planted in different parts of the kingdom. Today, longan consists of endless plantations throughout the country.
The fruit is known by several names. The Chinese dubbed it “the eye of the dragon” (the cut fruit really resembles the eye of a mythical character), the Thais called it “lam yai”.
The benefits of longans are known better than others in their homeland, Asia. People come here for healing and to taste fruit from all over the world.
What does longan look like?
It is not for nothing that longan and lychee are considered “brothers”. The fruits are similar in structure: the peel covers translucent, delicate pulp, inside which a large seed is hidden.
There are also differences:
| Characteristic | Longan | Lychee |
|---|---|---|
| Peel, texture | rough, without tubercles | lumpy-spiky |
| Peel, color | from beige-ocher to orange | bright red |
| Peel, color character | brownish spotting | uniform |
| Bone | rounded | elongated |
Longan is like a nut, lychee is like a raspberry.
The longan bunch looks like a grape.
How longan grows
Botany considers longan to be a plant of the Sapindaceae family. From the same “clan” - lychee, guarana, Spanish.
Features of cultivation
The flowers form panicle inflorescences that become a cluster. The fruits grow on trees 10-12 meters high. Long branches form a crown of the same diameter. They resemble a grapevine.
To prevent branches covered with fruits from breaking, they are supported from below with wooden structures. The tree produces up to two hundredweight of fruits, but they are collected only by hand.
Distribution area
In addition to its homeland, the tree has conquered other countries. It is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and adjacent archipelagos (Malaya, Philippines, Indonesia). There are plantations in the USA and Cuba.
The wild species is listed in the International Red Book as potentially endangered.
Longan season in Thailand
The country is the second largest in terms of production and export of fruit.
Plantations are established throughout the territory. The climatic conditions in the northern and southern parts are different, so the crop is harvested all year round.
You can come to the country to taste the exotic longan fruit at any time. If you choose the right region and time of travel, you will get fresh fruits for almost nothing.
In July-September, longan ripens in the south. It is cheapest here at this time. In other months - in the north.
Regardless of the season, the cost of the fruit is not prohibitive.
Chemical composition and calorie content of longan
Like any other, more than 80% of longan pulp is water. The remainder is a set of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. It surpasses oranges in terms of vitamin C content.
Calories
Fresh longan has a low calorie content - 60-65 units per 100 grams of pulp.
Dried fruit is four times more caloric - 280-285 kcal per 100 g.
Compound
The pulp contains substances that are vital for the body, including those missing in regular fruits:
- vitamins: group B (1, 2, 3, 6, 12), C;
- minerals: iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, potassium, calcium, zinc;
- fiber;
- biologically active components: flavonoids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds.
Longan contains a large amount of vitamin C, covering the daily requirement of the body.
The nutritional value
100 grams of pulp include (g):
- proteins – 1.32-1.34;
- fats – 0.12-0.16;
- carbohydrates – 15.2-16.3.
A small amount of fat and a relatively high content of complex carbohydrates suppresses hunger and makes the fruit a safe snack. Fiber improves digestion and cleanses the body of “garbage”.
Useful properties of longan
At Longan beneficial features found in all parts of the plant. They are used for health, beauty, and healing practices.
Health
The effect of the fruit is manifested in a wide spectrum:
- vitamin C (which longan is rich in) fights acute respiratory infections and influenza; strengthens the immune system, neutralizes vitamin deficiency, scurvy; helps the body absorb iron;
- protects the heart, preventing strokes and heart attacks;
- treats the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, and other internal organs;
- high iron content (15-20 times more than spinach or grapes) improves blood circulation; helps with anemia, chronic fatigue, dizziness;
- promotes brain function, neutralizing senile dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and the like;
- effective as an antipyretic, anthelmintic;
- reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Longan inhibits aging. All thanks to polyphenols, which help destroy free radicals and prevent cell destruction.
beauty
Antioxidants make the skin beautiful and healthy: dryness, sagging are reduced, and age spots are removed.
Exot is popular as an aphrodisiac.
Regular consumption of fruit maintains the health of the oral cavity and teeth.
For treatment, it is better to take dried or dried fruits.
The sweet fruit is an effective remedy for “nerves” that age a person and kill beauty. If you are overcome by insomnia, anxiety, depression, a handful of berries will solve the problem.
Traditional medicine
In Chinese medicine and other Asian medicine, all inedible parts of the plant are considered medicinal.
The peel and leaves are saturated with biologically active substances:
- Decoctions are prepared from them (sometimes with other ingredients) to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and allergies.
- Doctors claim that even oncology is receding.
- They contain quercetin - a three-in-one component: antioxidant, bactericide, antiviral agent.
Seeds, rich in saponin and tannins, are used as medicine and a hygiene product:
- the bone is applied to the bite site to draw out snake venom from the body;
- crushed are effective as an anthelmintic or to reduce sweating;
- saponin is used as an additive in hair care products.
Decoctions and teas are prepared from leaves and flowers. Chinese doctors prescribe them for abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.
What does it taste like and how to eat it
Externally, the fruit resembles large grapes: the same berries collected in clusters. But the taste differs noticeably.
Fruit taste
It is difficult to determine what longan looks like. It is not comparable to other tropical exotics, especially common fruits. The fruit is sweet to the point of sugariness, with a musky aftertaste. But not cloying. Some people smell a grape aroma with a taste of Amal melon.
Most agree that it is almost lychee, but without the sourness.
How to choose ripe longan
When choosing a fruit, evaluate the following parameters:
- Skin. It should be solid, smooth, without any wrinkles, cracks or damage. At the same time, it is rough, dry, and cracks when pressed.
- Taste. Ripe fruits are sweet, with a thick aroma.
- Density. Ripe fruit remains elastic. Overripe ones are too soft.
If you come across sourish specimens, don’t be upset. After lying in a warm place for several days, they will become sweet.
It is better to buy a whole bunch of berries, with branches. This is how they are most often offered in Asian markets. Like grapes, without stems they spoil almost immediately.
How to clean and eat longan
Only the pulp of the fruit is edible. Despite its apparent inaccessibility, cleaning longan is not difficult:
- the berry is torn from the stalk;
- take with the thumb and forefinger, squeeze slightly;
- when the shell bursts, its halves are removed;
- You can cut the peel with a knife where the stalk is and peel the berry like an egg.
The white-pinkish pulp is eaten whole, being careful not to swallow the bone, which is located inside.
It is dangerous to swallow the bone, it is toxic.
It is believed that it is better to eat fresh fruit. It is added to desserts, smoothies, ice cream, salads, as a side dish ingredient for fish or meat.
In Southeast Asia, strong and non-alcoholic soft drinks are made from it.
Gourmets claim that the best exotic is dried or dried. Without water, the taste and aroma are enhanced.
How to store
From a trip to exotic countries, fruits are brought home - as a gift or for yourself, to prolong the pleasure. The exotic is considered delicate, but the problem of how to store longans can be solved. At room temperature, even ripe specimens are stored for three to four days. In the refrigerator - a week and a half.
The advantage of the fruit is the preservation of useful and taste parameters after freezing. It can be kept in the freezer for months. The least hassle is with dried or dried fruits.
Harm of longan
The fruit has few contraindications:
- It should not be eaten by allergy sufferers.
- A fairly high percentage of carbohydrates limits its consumption for diabetics.
- It is better not to give to children under three years of age.
- Overeating causes diarrhea. For a person of average build, eight to ten fruits at a time is enough.
The benefits and harms of longan can be determined by the characteristics of the body. Individual intolerance is not excluded. Therefore, when first consumed, they limit themselves to two or three fruits. If after a couple of hours your stomach is calm and nothing appears on your skin, you can eat as much as you want.
Conclusion
Visually, the not too bright longan loses to the “festive” rambutan or pineapple. But it is not inferior in taste and usefulness. Moreover, only he can help the European stomach adapt to Asian exotics. It is recommended to eat the fruit to make it easier to digest local food.
It is believed that the best varieties grown in Thailand and Vietnam, so it is advisable to go there for tasting.
Unlike other exotics, it tolerates long flights well. You just need to take slightly unripe bunches. The seller will help you choose, sometimes the bunches are offered with a basket. Alternatively, place in a hard plastic container.