LY
Lychee
lee-chee • drupe
🟢 Non-Climacteric (Vine Only)
🛡 Low Ethylene
How to Tell if Lychee is Ripe
Store CheckLychee is a non-climacteric fruit and does NOT ripen after being picked. It will only soften or rot. Buy it ready to eat.
👁 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
✋ 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 Lychee
Optimal Spot
fridge
Shelf Life (Ripe)
5–7 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
Short summer season, peaking May through July in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Global Growing Geography:
Subtropical regions, notably China, Southeast Asia, and India
Common Varieties & PLU Codes
| Variety Name | PLU Codes | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Kwai Mai Pink | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Brewster | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Mauritius | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Sweetheart | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Kaimana | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| No Mai Tsze | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
| Hak Ip | — | Standard commercial supermarket cultivar |
Kitchen Pairings & Chef Hacks
Flavor Pairings
Lime JuiceMintVodkaCoconut Water
Chef Hacks & Prep Tricks
💡 Lychee Martini: Muddle fresh lychee pulp with lime juice and vodka over ice.
Pocket Encyclopedia
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Compare sweetness, sugar content, and glycemic indicators against other fruits.