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Longan
LONG-un โข drupe
๐ข Non-Climacteric (Vine Only)
๐ก Low Ethylene
How to Tell if Longan is Ripe
Store CheckLongan is a non-climacteric fruit and does NOT ripen after being picked. It will only soften or rot. Buy it ready to eat.
๐ Visual Checks
- Look for uniform color without green under-tones
- Check for matte/dull skin rather than shiny plastic finish
- Look for natural sugar spots or field marks
โ Tactile & Aroma
- Heft: Should feel heavy for its size (indicates juice content)
- Give: Slight yield under gentle palm pressure, never thumb poking
- Aroma: Fragrant sweet smell at the stem end
How to Store Longan
Optimal Spot
fridge
Shelf Life (Ripe)
5โ7 Days
Ethylene Sensitivity
Tolerant
Storage Protocol: Store immediately in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Keep away from high ethylene emitters like bananas and apples.
Peak Seasonality & Harvest Geography
USDA / AMS Verified
Peak season is July through October in subtropical Asia and Florida. Available year-round in Asian grocery stores (fresh in season, canned or dried year-round).
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Global Growing Geography:
Subtropical Asia, notably China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Florida
Common Varieties & PLU Codes
| Variety Name | PLU Codes | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Kohala | โ | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Biew Kiew | โ | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Diamond River | โ | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Chompoo | โ | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
Kitchen Pairings & Chef Hacks
Flavor Pairings
Lotus SeedRed DateGingerJasmine Tea
Chef Hacks & Prep Tricks
๐ก Peel & Chill: Pinch shell near stem to pop open, serve over crushed ice.
Pocket Encyclopedia
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Carry tactile ripeness indicators, PLU barcode decoders, seasonal radar, and ethylene storage charts offline in your pocket.
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Compare sweetness, sugar content, and glycemic indicators against other fruits.