The Taiwan Agricultural and Food Administration Provides Guidelines for Preserving Fresh Lychee for Three Days to One Month.
Lychee is a highly favored fruit in Asia, known for its sweet and fragrant taste. In addition to Vietnam, lychee is also extensively cultivated in China and Taiwan. In Taiwan, Kaohsiung City is the largest lychee-producing area, particularly in the Dashu, Qishan, and Shanlin districts, followed by Taichung City and Nantou County.
Lychee is in season, sweet, fragrant, and affordable.
However, the hot summer weather can quickly spoil lychee, which is a concern for those who harvest it. After about 2-3 days post-harvest, the skin can become dry, hard, and brown, while the flesh may lose moisture. The Taiwan Agricultural and Food Administration recently introduced the distinctive lychee varieties of the island on its Facebook page and shared three methods to help keep them fresh for up to a month.
1. Refrigeration
First, spray water on the lychee, then wrap them in newspaper, place them in a plastic bag, and seal it tightly before putting it in the refrigerator. This method helps keep the lychee fresh for 3-5 days, maintaining their delicious quality without drying out or losing moisture as they would if left outside.
2. Saltwater Soak
First, cut the lychee from the branch, leaving a bit of the stem, and soak them in diluted saltwater for about 5 minutes. Then, remove them, let them drain, and place them in a bag to store in the refrigerator. This method can extend the preservation time to 7-10 days without significantly affecting quality.
3. Freezing
Freezing can keep lychee fresh for up to a month.
For this method, gently peel the lychee and remove the seeds, taking care not to crush them or let them leak juice. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer. Lychee can be stored this way for up to a month. This method is suitable for making dishes such as fruit salad, lychee tea, and fruit yogurt.
According to the Taiwan Agricultural and Food Administration, lychee has a delicious flavor and is rich in nutrients such as potassium, citric acid, and vitamins B and C. However, individuals with high blood sugar levels should limit their intake, exercise caution, consult a doctor, and avoid eating when hungry.
