Not everyone knows such an exotic fruit as longan. It grows mainly in China, but can be found in Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In this article, we take a closer look at what is longan and how it is eaten.
- Longan: what is this fruit
- The caloric and chemical composition of the "dragon eye"
- What is useful longan
- How to choose and store longan
- How to eat longan fruit
- Contraindications
Longan: what is this fruit
Longan is an exotic fruit (another name is "dragon eye"). It grows on tall trees. The fruits are collected in clusters, like grapes. The diameter of a single "nut" Longan is about 2 cm.
The "dragon eye" is covered with a dense light brown skin that is easy to clean when pressed with two fingers. Inside is a transparent flesh. Her taste is sweet and specific, with a touch of musk. Before you eat longan, you need to remove the bone, as it is very hard and unsuitable for consumption.
Fruits ripen from June to August, one tree can produce about 200 kg of fruit.
The caloric and chemical composition of the "dragon eye"
In Longan low calorie: 100 g of fruit contain about 60 Kcal.
In its chemical composition 100 g longan have:
- water -82.8 g;
- fat -0.1 g;
- carbohydrate -15.1 g;
- proteins -1.3 g;
- fiber -1.1 g
Also fruit contains:
- potassium -266 mg;
- magnesium, 10 mg;
- calcium -1 mg;
- phosphorus -21 mg;
- manganese -0.05 mg;
- copper -0,2 mg;
- iron -0.13 mg;
- Zinc -0.05 mg.
- C -84 mg;
- B2 Riboflavin -0.1 mg;
- B1 thiamine -0.04 mg;
- B3 Niacin -0.3 mg.
What is useful longan
The exotic longan fruit not only tastes good, but can also benefit the human body. The pulp of the fetus is used in Eastern medicine for the treatment of inflammation, stomach ailments or as a febrifuge.
Thanks to the riboflavin contained in the fruit, the immunity is improved and the tone of the whole organism rises. The "dragon eye" is also used to relieve fatigue and dizziness, improve vision and concentration, normalize sleep.
In China, a decoction of the fruit consumed with poor metabolism and as a sedative.Powder from seeds of longan used to stop bleeding, treatment of eczema, hernias, water bodies, enlarged lymph nodes
How to choose and store longan
Sold "eye of the dragon" clusters, which are collected in a small whisk. When you lift a bunch, the berries should not fall off. To select a ripe and tasty fruit you need to look at its peel. It should not be cracked or damaged.
You should not pay special attention to the color of the fruit, as it depends not on maturity, but on by grade. The most delicious fruit is the one that lay a few days after it tore.
But in appearance it is very difficult to determine. So the best choice for choosing a ripe fruit is to try it. If the flesh is slightly acidic, then the fruit is unripe. In this case, it should be put in a warm place and wait for full maturity.
Now let's talk about how to store longan. At room temperature, the fruit lasts about three days. If you are going to keep it longer, it is best to use a refrigerator for this.There, longan will be able to withstand 5-7 days, because it tolerates low temperature very well. Thanks to its dense skin, the fruit can keep its shape.
How to eat longan fruit
The fruits of longan are mostly consumed fresh. They are also used for making fruit salads, desserts or used as a decoration for cakes. In Thailand, sweet soups, snacks, sauces for seafood are prepared from fruits. In addition, it is dried and canned. More of the "dragon eyes" make refreshing drinks that help quench your thirst and improve your appetite.
Contraindications
Longan can harm human body only with individual intolerance. General contraindications for the use of this fruit does not exist.
"Dragon's eye" is very tasty, so if you meet it on the shelves of the supermarket, be sure to buy and try.
