What Does Lychee Taste Like? (Updated 2024)

Name: 5 Best Lychee Recipes
Ingredients: Sparkling Watermelon Lychee Cocktail; Lychee Mojito; Mango Lychee Mocktail; Lychee Sangria; Lychee Iced Tea

Updated Feb 16, 2023Recipe Marker

Are you curious about what lychee tastes like? We will share some information about this exotic fruit in this article.

No matter how much you try to hide it, you have to admit that summer brings with it an abundance of fresh fruits that remain plump and juicy with every bite. Lychee is one of those fruits that come hand-in-hand with summer.

Although Lychee is not as popular or well-known in the United States, this summer fruit tends to take center stage in many Southeast Asian countries.

Due to its seasonality, this fruit has become an exoticized phenomenon not just in Southeast Asia, but in other parts of the world as well.

Whether you have been itching to try this seasonal fruit or simply thinking of where to incorporate this ingredient next, you have come to the right place. We are here to tell you all about lychee and what it tastes like.

What Are Lychees?

Lychees have a round or oblong shape and a bright red color. Also, they can grow up to one inch in diameter, or close to the size of a golf ball.

Normally grown and harvested in China and India, the lychee plant, also known as litchi or lichi, is considered an evergreen tree found natively in Southeast Asia. They also thrive in other hot and humid climates around the globe.

While commonly grown in Asia, the United States also has its fair share of this evergreen plant in places such as California, Florida, and Texas.

Lychees contain a large amount of water, making hydration a great benefit of consuming them. This type of fruit is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, and potassium.

Eating in moderation can help promote good heart health and even protect against certain diseases.

What Does Lychee Taste Like?

Now that you know the origins of litchi and where to find them, the time has come to let you in on how they taste.

Simply put, lychees are sweet and tart at the same time. Most of the time, this particular fruit can have a slightly floral taste and a similar aromatic smell akin to roses. It is also slightly acidic in nature.

Texture-wise, it lies between that of a grape, a watermelon, and a pear. It has a firm yet soft crunch which one can enjoy with every bite.

Consuming and Preparing Lychee

Lychees can be eaten alone, allowing you to get first dibs on their plump and juicy taste. However, they are also a staple ingredient in many dishes, especially in desserts. They are found in sherbets, ice creams, salads, and even in savory meals.

They are also prepared with drinks such as bubble tea or used in cocktails, such as martinis and mojitos because of their sweet yet refreshing flavor. According to HuffPost, they can be eaten all year round and stuffed with cream cheese.

Texture and Appearance of Lychee

Upon closer inspection, the bright red hue of these fruits is embedded with bumps or textures. These bunches are rough to the touch.

However, peeling the outside skin or layer away reveals a smooth and fleshy, off-white center underneath. This white layer is the edible layer or the fruit itself.

In the middle lies a large brown seed that also has a smooth texture.

Its appearance (and even taste) bear close similarities to other Southeast Asian fruits, such as the rambutan and longan. Meanwhile, its outer layer is akin to that of the bumpy and textured appearance of a strawberry or raspberry.

Fresh vs. Canned

Although lychees are difficult to come by in some parts of the world, this fruit is not only eaten fresh. In most Asian supermarkets and groceries, as well as in other similar food shops, this delicious fruit can be found canned and enveloped in a sweet syrup to help preserve its taste and freshness.

During the summer or the hotter seasons, they are found fresh in local markets and superstores. To choose the best of the bunch, pick those that have a sweet, floral smell.

This indicates that the fruit is already ripe and ready for consumption.

Also, be sure to check its firmness; remember that it should give way when pressed a little. A soft and mushy texture indicates that the fruit is overripe.

The Bottom Line

This perennial summer favorite is sure to become a staple in your pantry once you have tasted it. After all, when it comes down to it, the sweet, subtle, and downright delicious flavor of lychee is something that’ll stay on your mind for a long time.