Exotic fruit longan translated from Chinese means "dragon's eye". This special name of the fruit is associated with the ancient legend of a young man who killed an evil dragon and died in an unequal battle defending his village. Soon, a tree with berries that resembled the gouged eyes of a formidable monster grew on the grave of the brave Longan.
The small yellow exotic fruit is the fruit of an evergreen tree of the Sapindaceae family. The birthplace of Longan is considered to be China, where the cultivation of the plant began from the 3rd century BC. Today the fruit is grown in the countries of Southeast Asia, where the subtropical climate prevails:
It is believed that the fruit began to be called "dragon's eye" in honor of the Vietnamese province of Long An. Whether this is true or not is difficult to say, because it 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 rind. Their inner part is represented by a pale pink pulp of a jelly-like consistency, behind which is an oblong inedible bone of a dark brown or reddish color.
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:
Taking longan daily will help get rid of chronic fatigue, dizziness, arrhythmias and depression. The low glucose content makes it possible to eat the fruit for people with diabetes.
The fruit of the tropical tree is a dietary product, since its calorie content per 100 g is 60 kcal, of which:
Fresh fruit can be stored at room temperature for no more than 3-4 days Longan contains many trace elements important for the body, the main of which is potassium. He takes part in saturating the brain with oxygen and stabilizing the heart rate.
The daily intake of longan for an adult should not exceed 200 grams.
The fetus has no serious contraindications, however, it can cause an allergic reaction in people with an individual intolerance to its chemical composition.
The fruit has a translucent flesh with a specific taste that simultaneously resembles a refreshing kiwi, sweet melon and berry juice. A characteristic feature of the fruit is the rich aroma of musk.
Longan is a relative, but it has a more pronounced sweet taste, elasticity of the inner part and less juiciness.
Dried fruit must be stored in a closed container. A high quality longan sold in the Thai markets must meet the following requirements:
Longan is one of the perishable foods. It is possible to preserve its quality and freshness only for 3-4 days under room conditions and a temperature not exceeding 25˚С.
You can extend the shelf life of the fruit to 10 days in the refrigerator at a temperature of at least 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 exotic all year round, there is a convenient way of processing - the preservation of berries.
The dragon's eye is consumed fresh, and also used to prepare light snacks, soups, hot sauces, desserts and drinks. Before taking it, you need to peel the berry and gently break the flesh to get the bone.
This dish is the hallmark of Thai cuisine. To prepare 5 servings of dessert, it will take no more than 45 minutes of time and the following ingredients.
The cooking technology is quite simple, for this you need:
Drinks with the addition of longan perfectly refresh, quench thirst and give a charge of vivacity and energy.
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 the sale of products from Southeast Asia.
Longan is a universal product, because not only the fruits are valuable, but also the tree itself. Vietnamese locals use berry seeds as an antidote to snake bites. The wood of the plant has a reddish tint and is easy to process, therefore exquisite furniture is made from it.
Fans of exotic treats who have visited Asia at least once met a little-known and unusual fruit - longan. Many gourmets, accustomed to eating something unusual and unique in their taste, celebrate all the delights of this exotic fruit. Underneath a nondescript-looking crust lurks delicious pulp, saturated with vitamins and other useful elements.
Longan is a delicious exotic fruit, the birthplace of which is considered to be China. However, almost at the same time, it was discovered not far from Burma, in these open spaces the fruit tree is quite well known today. It is also widespread in Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
Harvested all year round, as the tree is considered eternally green.
The longan fruit belongs to the sapindaceae family; its closest relatives include the Spanish lime and lychee. The tree grows quite tall, sometimes it can reach 13 meters, the diameter of the branches is approximately 10 meters wide.
Longan and longkong are completely different fruits, although they have quite similar names and appearance.
What is the difference between each other? Fruit growth is the same, both of them are similar to grape bunches, however, longan fruits are located far from the main branch (see photo), in color they are slightly lighter and smaller, in contrast to longkong berries, which overshadow the branch almost completely, leaving no free space, but its structure is larger and more oval.
Longan's coating is much harder, longkong peels gently like an orange.
Lychee and longan can be called close relatives, both are popular in China and are considered eternally green, but there is little similarity in them. Outwardly, they are so different that it is completely impossible to confuse them.
- a tropical plant that has elongated leaves. The bunches 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, soft consistency, sour taste with a pronounced aroma. There is a dark bone in the center.
Lychee contains many vitamin complexes, using it, a person is saturated with energy and strength, allows you to quench your thirst, helps fight anemia, and also helps to improve digestion. It goes well with lime, ginger and coconut.
What are the features in Longan:
In Asian countries, longan can be seen on supermarket shelves and markets all year round. It looks quite difficult to determine whether he is ripe. It is 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 lie down for a few more days to fully ripen. The appearance of the peel should be free of bumps 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 deteriorate.
Peel the peel before eating the fruit:
Longan is a small ball that fits easily into your hand. By placing the fruit between the index and thumb, pressing it first, you can peel it without difficulty. A light pulp will remain on the palm, with a brown bone inside.
Often, dried fruits are made from it, which are added to various dishes and drinks. In Thailand, for example, a delicious and refreshing drink is prepared: the fruits are dried in the fresh air, then boiled with added sugar until all the juice comes out. The next stage is the infusion and cooling of the drink, which soon lends itself to the table. Longan is suitable for preparing salads and first courses.
It is categorically impossible to use the bone, since its properties are poisonous, which at best will lead to an upset of the gastrointestinal tract. Gently peeling the fruit, you need to carefully get out all the remnants of the bone and throw them away, the rest can be consumed without fear of the consequences - such actions will be correct.
You can talk about the benefits of longan for long 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, nervous disorders.
It is also useful in the prevention of cancer and diabetes.
There are no contraindications to the use of longan. The only risk is individual intolerance and, as a result, an allergic reaction. Doctors advise against giving it to children under 3 years of age. When first eating, do not overeat, but try a few.
Outwardly, longan is very similar, with the difference that its peel is not bright red with pronounced tubercles, but ocher-yellow (sometimes orange), slightly rough, covered with brownish specks... A large purple-black stone shines through through the transparent, jelly-like flesh of the fruit. In China, Longan is called "Longyan", which means "Dragon's Eye".
In our supermarkets, healthy exotic fruit is almost never found, but tourists who have visited Thailand are unlikely to bypass it. As far as possible, longan should be brought as an edible "souvenir" - one cannot but like its taste.
Now let's take a closer look at the popular Asian "guest".
The homeland of the evergreen tree Dimocarpus longan is the mountain range on the border of Myanmar and southern China.
For the first time, Longan, along with lychee, is mentioned in an ancient legend about the Chinese emperor of the Han dynasty, who ruled in 200 BC. NS. According to sources, the monarch dreamed of planting these fruit trees in the northwestern province of Shaanxing, where the capital of the state was at that time. However, the local climate proved to be unsuitable for the subtropical plants accustomed to the mild conditions of Fujian and Guangdong.
Longan was introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s and to Thailand a few decades later. Chinese diplomats presented as a gift to the wife of the then ruler of the kingdom - Chulalongkorn, only five seedlings, which gave rise to grandiose plantations throughout the country.
Today Thailand is the second largest producer and exporter of Longan, also known locally as "Lam Yai". However, only in this country, due to the variety of climate, the fruit can ripen all year round. 
In addition to Thailand and China, the islands of Taiwan and Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, India, the Philippines, Australia, the United States and Mauritius are engaged in the cultivation of the "dragon's eye" on an industrial scale.
Dimocarpus longan is a low tree, usually no more than 9 - 12 m, a tree with a spreading crown. Sometimes, if the soil and climatic conditions are especially favorable, it can reach 30 m.
The leaves are large, lanceolate, 10 - 20 cm long, with a dark green glossy coating, collected in 6 - 9 pieces on one handle, like an ash tree. The flowers are small, light yellow, grouped according to the "panicle" type. Fruits, with a diameter of about 2.5 cm, form such heavy clusters that the branches collapse under their weight. The yield from one tree is up to 200 kg.
Collect the fruits by hand, cutting them together with the branch. With this method, the fruit is stored much longer.
At the time of collection, the longan must be slightly immature, otherwise it will be difficult to transport it. Before getting to our table, the fruits should be soaked a little so that they become as tasty and soft as possible.
Wild Longan is now under threat from massive deforestation. In the International Red Data Book, it is listed as a vulnerable species. 
"Dragon's eye" not only externally, but also. However, it is sweeter, sugary, with a pronounced musky aroma. According to some, the taste of longan is a cross between grape and melon. Although, like every exotic fruit, it is difficult to describe.
It is believed that the best varieties today are grown in Thailand and Vietnam.
Longan is consumed mainly fresh. Only the pulp is edible, but the peel and seeds are used for medicinal purposes.
In Asia, where Longan is from, it is served as an independent dessert, as a topping for ice cream and as part of a complex sweet and sour side dish for fish and meat. Dried fruit is often found in hot Chinese soups, sauces, or snacks. Oriental medicine claims that it has a pronounced sedative effect.
For export, in addition to fresh longan, canned food is supplied - in sugar syrup or without it.
In Vietnam, Indonesia and China, liqueurs and soft drinks are made from this tropical fruit.
Like other tropical fruits, longan quickly deteriorates at home... At room temperature, he is able to lie no more than 3 days, and in the refrigerator, in a plastic bag - up to a week.
If you want to significantly extend the shelf life of the product, it should be frozen.
While in Thailand or other Asian countries, it is difficult to resist the temptation to bring local tropical fruits to family and friends. Longan, unlike durian or Vietnamese coconuts, is just one of those fruits that you can and even need to take with you.
What to consider when doing this:
The dense skin of the fruit is inedible, but easy to remove. To do this, you need to tear off the longan from the branch and squeeze it with two fingers at the stalk. With proper ripeness, the peel will burst and be removed in two halves.
Another option is to make an incision in the peel with nail scissors or a knife, and then peel it off, much like an egg shell.
Those who taste the exotic oriental fruit for the first time often ask, is it okay to eat the longan seed? Probably, there is a fear of accidentally swallowing it, since the fruit is small. We urge everyone to be careful! The dragon's eye bone is considered to be as unfit for food as that of the lychee.
Longan can be safely included in your menu for those who are struggling with excess weight or just keep an eye on their figure, since it is 82% water. 100 g of fruit contains only 60 kcal. At the same time, the product saturates the body with carbohydrates and allows you not to feel hunger for a long time.
But dried fruits are best eaten in limited quantities, since their calorie content is much higher - 286 kcal / 100g.
A very short video, from which you will learn how longan is sold, how it can be cleaned, what is inside, and what it tastes like.
Small in size, the fruit has a unique vitamin and mineral composition. In particular, it is rich in:
It also contains:
Attention!
For medicinal purposes, it is better to use dried fruits, since all the beneficial substances in them (except for vitamin C) are in a concentrated form.
Tourists who come to Asian countries, where the climate and food are completely different, can eat the "dragon's eye" to reduce the stress on the stomach and help it digest unfamiliar food better. The adaptation will be faster. A single serving should consist of 7-10 fruits, no more.
Longan is not the only pulp that is beneficial. The leaves and flowers of the plant contain large amounts of the flavonols quercetin and quercetrin, which have pronounced antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects. They are often included in medicinal teas and teas.
Longan bone in Vietnam is traditionally applied to the site of a snake bite, believing that it helps to neutralize the poison. Whether this is true or not is unknown, but there is no doubt about another property of the seed: when crushed, it is an excellent anthelmintic.
Longan ("dragon eye") is one of the most useful and delicious exotic fruits. If possible, it should be tried when traveling. And be sure to bring it with you.
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Exotic longan (the second name of the fruit is Lam Yai) comes to us from the countries of Southeast Asia. Fruits ripen on one branch in the form of a bunch of grapes and are distinguished by juicy pulp with a clear aftertaste of musk.
The fruits of the fruit are “dressed” in a dense skin that can be removed without any problems. The pulp of the "dragon's eye" - this is how the inhabitants of China called the fruit for its unusual "appearance" in a purified form - translucent, brownish or yellowish-red hue.
Inside the longan there is a large dark bone, clearly visible through the transparent flesh - hence the name: "dragon's eye". You can buy an unusual fruit in grocery hypermarkets.
The composition of longan is traditionally quite varied for all exotic fruits. So, one hundred grams of its pulp contains:
It is because of such a high water content that the calorie content of the fruit is quite low: there are only 60 kilocalories per one hundred grams of a delicacy. This calorie content allows you to introduce the fruits of longan into all "berry" diets. Fortunately, you can buy the "dragon's eye" almost all year round.
The pulp of the fruit contains many vitamins. In particular, a large amount of vitamin C and vitamins from the B group - B1, B2, B3. There are many in its composition and various macro - and microelements. Longan fruits can be called the record holders for potassium content - one hundred grams of pulp contains as much as 226 mg.
But the beneficial properties of the plant do not end there, since the plant itself (tree) also benefits. The leaves contain a special substance - quartztin. It is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, simultaneously exhibiting bactericidal and antiviral effects. Longan leaves are used to prepare decoctions and infusions, which are used in folk medicine to treat the following pathologies:
Lam Yai bones contain a lot of saponins. In the homeland of the plant, the seeds are thoroughly crushed and lowered into water. This produces a good lather that can be used in place of shampoo.
The fruit is most often eaten fresh. But there is an opinion that the real taste of the delicacy can be felt after heat treatment of the fruit. Dried longan is used in beverage recipes.
The fruits can be stored. For this purpose, they can be dried, frozen and preserved. After defrosting, the fruit is in no way inferior in taste to fresh serving. Longan juice is used for preservation. In this case, sugar can not be added to the filling.
Before you buy longan fruit, you need to assess the condition of its peel. There should be no cracks, dents or other defects on its surface.
The ripeness of a delicacy can only be appreciated after it has been peeled and tasted. Unfinished fruits will slightly sour. Such a bunch should be put in a warm place and left for several days. Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
As such, there are no contraindications to the use of longan fruits. The delicacy can be harmful only with individual intolerance.
If desired, this exotic tree can also be grown at home. Bones are used as planting material. First, you need to completely free them from the pulp and dry them for a couple of days.
How to grow longan? The process is quite simple:
This is how longan is grown at home. In the future, the tree is grown in the same way as any tropical plant.
Longan is an evergreen tree of the sapindaceae family, cultivated in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Taiwan for the sake of edible fruits. The name of the exotic fruit comes from "longan", which means "dragon eyes".
Longan fruit is a source of minerals, ascorbic acid, polysaccharides, riboflavin and phenols (ellagic, carrylagic and gallic acids), which exhibit antioxidant, tonic and antipyretic properties. The fruit saturates the body with nutrients, slows down cell aging, improves memory and sleep, activates the intestines, and has a beneficial effect on the liver.
Longan is a tall tree, reaching 10 m in height (sometimes up to 20 m). The crown is spreading, 14 m wide. The leaves are obtuse, paired, elliptical or oblong-ovate, consist of 4-10 leaflets, green above, greenish-gray below. The fruits of the "dragon's eye" are spherical, gathered in clusters, growing up to 2.5 cm in diameter.
The pulp is translucent with a whitish tint, delicate slimy consistency. Juicy, sweet and aromatic, similar in taste to lychee. Covered on top with a strong, inedible orange shell. Inside the fruit is concentrated a round, shiny black seed with a white spot at the base.
Under natural conditions, the evergreen longan tree grows between the hills, capable of withstanding a decrease in ambient temperature to minus 3 degrees. As the frost intensifies, the leaves and branches of the plant die off. Ripe longan is stored at a temperature of 6-8 degrees above zero for 5-6 days. Harvested by hand, used as a dessert fresh, dried and canned.
The longan pericarp exhibits the potential to inhibit inflammation. Flower extract increases coronary blood flow, inhibits oxidative processes, lowers triglyceride levels, blood pressure.
Longan pulp exhibits anthelmintic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, tonic properties.
The effect of fruits on the human body:
In Chinese medicine, the seeds and flowers of the dragon's eye, due to the abundance of polyphenolic compounds, are used for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, malignant tumors of the cervix, liver, lungs, and breast. They induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, dried seed powder is prescribed for the treatment of scabies, eczema, bleeding, dropsy, hernia, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits, neck. The water extract of the flowers helps to combat urinary problems.
In Vietnam, it is believed that longan absorbs the poison left by the snake, so it is applied to the site of the bite. The seeds are used to eliminate excessive sweating.
The pericarp does not contain toxic substances, so it cannot harm health, except in cases where a person is allergic to an exotic fruit.
100 g of pulp of fresh longan fruits contains 60 kcal, and dried - 286 kcal. Interestingly, the taste and appearance of the fruit depends on the terrain and growing conditions of the tree. In China, "dragon eyes" are recommended for women after childbirth to accelerate the recovery of the body.
The richer the taste of the fruit, the less aromatic they are.
| Name | Nutrient content per 100 g of product, ml | |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fruits | In dried fruits | |
| Vitamins | ||
| 84,0 | 28,0 | |
| 0,3 | 1,0 | |
| 0,14 | 0,5 | |
| 0,031 | 0,04 | |
| 266,0 | 658,0 | |
| 21,0 | 196,0 | |
| 10,0 | 46,0 | |
| 1,0 | 45,0 | |
| 0,169 | 0,807 | |
| 0,13 | 5,4 | |
| 0,052 | 0,248 | |
| 0,05 | 0,22 | |
Longan is most often consumed fresh. Fruits can be preserved, frozen, dried, heat treated. Boiling enhances the taste of an exotic delicacy. "Dragon's Eye" is used in cooking for salads, sauces and ice cream. In addition, it perfectly emphasizes the taste of hot spicy dishes. From the dried fruits of longan they are boiled.
It is a dietary product aimed at combating excess weight. The preparation contains ground longan seeds, which have a beneficial effect on the body.
Advantages of the drug:
In addition to the fact that "Longan An" is used to correct body weight, the drug is prescribed for insomnia, memory impairment, dizziness, visual impairment, gastrointestinal disorders, stressful situations, fever and tachycardia.
Calcium, which is part of the seeds, compensates for the deficiency of a macronutrient in the body, the lack of which impairs the natural processes of fat burning. Lack of potassium contributes to weight gain, the appearance of puffiness, which increases the burden on the heart.
Method of use: dilute ground fruit seeds (5-8 g) in (200 ml), use the resulting cocktail twice a day instead of breakfast and before bedtime. Drink the drink immediately after preparation. The course of diet therapy is 14 days. A cocktail drunk in the morning has a cleansing effect on the body, and taken in the evening is aimed at a systematic decrease in body weight. The drug is contraindicated for people with allergies to the product.
Longan is a plant with exotic fruits collected in bunches. The birthplace of culture is China. Fresh fruits more than 70% consist of water, have a pronounced sweetish taste with hints of musk. Due to the abundance of saccharides, longan quickly deteriorates and is poorly transported, therefore, fruits are harvested unripe for sale.
Dragon's eyes are used in cooking to make refreshing drinks that suppress appetite. Fruits are added to salads, hot dishes, desserts,. Phenolic acids, dietary fiber, nutrients, polysaccharides are also concentrated in the pericarp.
In oriental medicine, longan pulp is used to improve the body's immune response and concentration, lower high body temperature, remove worms, maintain vision, relieve dizziness, and calm the nervous system. Plant seed powder contains fats, saponins and tannins, therefore it is useful for the treatment of hernia, dropsy, eczema, enlarged lymph nodes. Longan is used not only in medicine and cooking, the core of the red plant is processed and sent to the production of furniture. Toothpaste is prepared from the seed.
