Lychee is a sweet, tasty red fruit that has been cultivated in China and Vietnam as far back as 2,000 years ago, according to a September 2017 review in Nutrients.
Fresh lychee can be found canned or fresh in some Asian markets and is often enjoyed in bubble tea and various desserts.
Lychee is roughly 1 inch long and 1 inch wide. To get at the fruit, you peel off a leather-like and spiky, inedible skin. The fruit surrounds a rather large seed in the middle. A few days after the fruit ripens, it turns dark and dehydrates, resembling a raisin.
Thoroughly clean the seeds and allow them to dry. Once dried, grind the seeds into a fine powder using a blender or spice grinder. This homemade lychee seed powder can be added to smoothies, yogurt, or even used as a seasoning for various dishes.
It’s High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are found in all fruits and vegetables, but lychee fruit is particularly high in these free-radical fighting molecules. A diet high in antioxidants helps to protect your cells from free radical damage thats linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases, per the Mayo Clinic.
Lychee fruit has six different potent antioxidants, per a February 2013 study in Food Chemistry:
- Gallic acid: A phenolic compound found in many fruits and medicinal plants that is potentially beneficial for stomach, heart and neurological disorders, per a March 2019 review in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
- Chlorogenic acid: A polyphenol most commonly found in coffee with properties that are linked to lower rates of diabetes, cancer and inflammation, according to an October 2017 review in the European Journal of Nutrition.
- Catechin: A highly active polyphenol often associated with tea. This antioxidant is often associated with its benefits of treating and preventing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), per a March 2017 article in Molecules.
- Caffeic acid: An antioxidant found in a large variety of plants. This polyphenol is associated with lower rates of cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease and inflammation, per an April 2020 article in Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease.
- Epicatechin: This plant compound is highly concentrated in plants such as apples, blackberries, cherries, and raspberries. Epicatechins are associated with gut health, reduced oxidation of LDL cholesterol and blood vessel dilation, according to UC Davis Nutrition.
- Rutin: Apples, asparagus, citrus fruits, green tea and figs are some of the foods high in rutin. This plant compound is known for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, per a November 2015 article in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology.
Vitamins, Minerals and Other Micronutrients
- Vitamin C: 75.1 mg, 79% of the daily value (DV)
- Copper: 0.1 mg, 16% DV
- Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg, 6% DV
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.1 mg, 5% DV
- Potassium: 171 mg, 4% DV
How to grow Lychee plant from seeds – how to grow lychee from seed
FAQ
What are lychee seeds good for?
Can you eat lychee seeds?
You can either eat the flesh and spit out the seed, or use a knife to peel the flesh away from the seed. Lychee fruit can be eaten plain or added to salads, desserts or sprinkled on yogurt. Lychee seeds aren’t edible, but the sweet fruit is. Find out the health benefits of lychee, risks, nutrition facts and how to shop for and enjoy it.
Is lychee fruit an allergen?
Lychee fruit is not a common allergenic food, but lychee does contain proteins that can lead to an allergic reaction. For example, individuals who are allergic to latex or birch pollen may experience allergic reactions to lychee, including anaphylaxis. Lychee also contains compounds that can cause abnormally low blood sugar and is linked to brain swelling and death in severely undernourished children. Unripe lychee contains higher amounts of these potentially dangerous compounds. Adults who consume lychee regularly do not experience these health problems. Lychee is an overall healthy food choice.
How to grow lychee from seed?
The first and most important factor to consider when growing lychee from seed is temperature. Lychee seeds need a warm and humid environment in order to germinate. The optimal temperature range for germination is between 70-86°F (21-30°C). Keeping the temperature within this range is the key to successful germination.
How do you eat lychee?
Pick lychee that is bright red in color and peel the skin off using your fingers, per the Australian Lychee Growers Association. You can either eat the flesh and spit out the seed, or use a knife to peel the flesh away from the seed. Lychee fruit can be eaten plain or added to salads, desserts or sprinkled on yogurt.