TasteSpotting

I picked these luscious litchis from Chinatown today. These are undoubtedly the most juicy and pulpy litchis I have ever had. And believe me, I have had some good litchis growing up in Bihar – the land of litchis. The sign of good litchis are its dark red color. They usually are smooth and have rounded bumps on the rind. Their ripeness indicates that they are full of nectar! The best litchis have the smallest seeds/pits. The pits are smooth-skinned and dark brown-black in color. My summer vacation memories growing up are of peeling chilled litchis and popping them in one by one, savoring the delightful burst of juices in my mouth.

Did you know that the Chinese, have historically eaten litchis to relieve pain, to cure sore throats and coughs, to aid in digestion, to shrink swollen glands, and to enhance overall health and longevity! Are they not real pearls of pulp? They also are a great source of Vitamin C. And a certain someone in faraway Canada also uses the little litchi branches to display her new silver jhumka earrings which have been sent by her Mommy-in-law all the way from India.