What is longan fruit?
Longan has the binomial name Dimocarpus longan, also known in Sino-Vietnamese as “longan” (dragon eye) because the seeds are shiny black, is a perennial subtropical tree belonging to the Sapindaceae family, originating from southern China. This species is also known as cinnamon in Chinese, lengkeng in Indonesian, mata kucing in Malay.
The longan tree is 5–10 m tall. The bark is rough and gray. The trunk has many branches, the leaves are lush and green all year round. The leaves are pinnate, alternate, consisting of 5 to 9 narrow leaflets, 7–20 cm long, 2.5–5 cm wide. In spring, in February, March, and April, the flower blooms pale yellow, growing in clusters at the ends of branches or leaf axils, with 5-6 toothed calyxes, 5-6 petals, 6-10 stamens, and 2-3 cells. The round fruit has a grayish-yellow outer shell, almost smooth. The seeds are jet black, covered with a white seed coat. The fruiting season is around July-August. Longan trees are relatively more cold-resistant than other trees in the same family such as lychee, and are also less picky about soil.
Longan fruit composition
Among all the diverse fruits, longan is always one of the most popular fruits. Not only is it loved for its sweet taste, making it easy to enjoy, but also for its extremely diverse nutritional value. According to scientific documents, the nutritional composition of longan is ranked from high to low, including:
Water: Water is the component with the highest proportion in longan fruit. According to analysis, in 100g of fresh longan, there will be 86.3g of water. The human body is up to 70% water, so eating longan can help supplement the body with natural and healthy water.
Vitamin C, B1, B2: Vitamins are indispensable ingredients in any fruit. Longan contains a lot of vitamins C, B1, B2, which are beneficial for the development of skin, hair and nails. Every 100g of fresh longan will have 58mg of vitamin C, 0.03mg of vitamin B1, 0.14mg of vitamin B2.
Protein: This is also an indispensable nutrient for the entire body’s movement process. Accordingly, 100g of fresh longan will contain 0.9g of protein.
Lipid: In 100g of fresh longan, there will be 0.1g of lipid. This is a fat that acts as a reserve energy for the body. Because the amount of lipid in longan is irregular, so you do not need to worry about whether eating longan will make you fat or not.
Calcium: 21mg is the amount of calcium found in 100g of fresh longan.
Iron: Every 100g of fresh longan will have 0.40mg of iron providing the ability.
How many calories does longan contain?
Because of the inherent sweetness of longan, eating longan will provide a large amount of sugar to the body, leading to weight gain. Every 300g of longan contains up to 175Kcal, equivalent to a bowl of rice.
Does eating longan make you fat?
In 100g of fresh longan flesh (about 30 fruits), there are only 60 calories. But it is a fruit with a lot of sugar. Therefore, eating longan is not good for people in the process of losing weight/fat.
What are the effects of longan?
Good for the nervous system
Longan is considered a miracle for diseases related to the nervous system, especially depression. They help the nerves relax and enhance their functioning. Therefore, insomnia also disappears. In addition, drinking boiled water with longan will help prevent nervous breakdown due to fatigue, illness, pain and exhaustion.
Increase longevity
Longan is known to be a fruit that can support the wound healing process and increase longevity. It helps fight free radicals in the body and protect cells from damage. At the same time, longan also has the effect of reducing the risk of some cancers.
Improve blood circulation
Longan enhances the absorption of iron in the body, helps limit anemia, and creates a pleasant feeling for the nervous system near the spleen and heart. In addition, longan also has the effect of protecting the body from the risk of pancreatic diseases, and is good for the reproductive organs of XX.
Supplement abundant energy
Eating longan regularly ensures a source of energy for the body, treats insomnia, and limits memory. Moreover, longan has low calories and fat, so teens who want to lose weight can rest assured to choose this fruit to eat every day.
Abundant source of vitamin C
The abundant source of vitamin C in longan protects the body from common diseases such as colds and flu. In addition, vitamin C in longan also beautifies the skin.
Beautify the skin
In addition to fresh longan, longan is also known as a “panacea” for beautiful skin, especially the skin around the eyes.
Good for oral health
Longan can strengthen teeth, treat gums, and prevent sore throat.
Heal snake bites
Longan seeds are effective in treating snake bites. Use the eye of the longan seed to press on the snake bite, the substances in the longan seed will absorb the venom to reduce damage to the body.
Prevent stomach pain
Longan juice is known for its effects in treating and preventing stomach pain and memory loss. Teens can drink juice directly from fresh longan or soak the longan pulp in sugar water for a few weeks to get the juice, mix with filtered water.
Is eating longan hot?
Eating longan too often in the summer can cause the body to generate heat, causing internal heat leading to acne. According to oriental medicine practitioners, longan has a sweet taste and warm properties, so when eaten, it can cause internal heat, making the body uncomfortable, prone to acne and itching. Longan, along with jackfruit and lychee, are hot summer fruits, so it is recommended to eat them in moderation.
How to make longan into a great dish
Longan is usually available in late July and early August. In the markets, longan is brown with a smooth surface. Ripe fruit will soften when pressed lightly with your thumb.
Avoid small, unripe or misshapen, cracked fruit. Because the flavor will be reduced. Eat longan as soon as possible after buying. Longan can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, in a cool place for 3-5 days, avoid moisture.
How to use fresh longan:
To use longan, you need to wash it in water. Then dry it with a clean towel.
Separate the skin right at the base, and peel it down.
You can put it in your mouth.
Gently separate the seeds and flesh.
Discard the black seed.
Most longan fruits can be eaten fresh. Otherwise, you can process them into salads, mixed fruits, ice cream.
