Description
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.