Thursday, January 7, 2010

Australia perfects lychee quality that is fit for the Emperor

Lucky for consumers, Australia has succeeded in cultivating sweeter, juicier and fleshier lychees with smaller and lighter seeds.



Fei Zi Xiao lychees are now available in specialty fruit markets this year. It is priced only a little higher than most lychee varieties, which is a worthwhile buy.

According to historical records, the Emperor of the Tang dynasty despatched express horse riders to the lychee growing South China by night to get the best pick and returned promptly with the fruits ensuring the freshness and unique flavours are retained. Lychees were said to be the favourite of the Emperor's concubine Yang Yuhuan.

"Zhengcheng Hanging Green" (增城掛綠 Zengcheng gualü), Glutinous Rice Ball (糯米糍 nuomici) and The Concubine Smiles (妃子笑 feizixiao) are the hybrid strains, known for their crisp sweetness and small seeds. Black Leaves (黑葉) are more common and are usually syruped and canned.

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