Description

The longan, also known as the dragon's eye, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, particularly China. It's related to other popular tropical fruits like lychee and rambutan. Here's a breakdown of its key features:

Appearance:

• Size: Round fruit, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, similar to a large grape or a small cherry tomato.
• Skin: Thin, light brown, leathery texture with bumpy speckles.
• Flesh: Translucent white, juicy, and surrounds a single black seed. The black seed with the white flesh around it resembles an eye, hence the nickname "dragon's eye."

Taste:

• Sweet and musky flavor, sometimes compared to lychee but with less aroma.
• Can be described as having a drier sweetness compared to lychee's tropical, grape-like flavor.

Enjoyment:

• Eaten fresh by peeling the skin and popping the juicy flesh in your mouth.
• Used in various Asian cuisine for dishes like soups, snacks, desserts, and sweet and sour foods.
• Can also be found dried for a chewy treat.