Lychees in syrup are a popular canned fruit product made from lychees preserved in a sweet syrup. Lychees are a tropical fruit native to China but now grown in many parts of the world. The lychee fruit has a unique floral flavor and aroma, with a juicy white flesh surrounding a rough brown seed. Canned lychees in syrup allow people to enjoy the delicious taste of fresh lychees year-round.
What are lychees?
Lychees, also known as litchis, are the fruit of the lychee tree, which is native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China. The lychee is a tropical tree that thrives in warm, humid environments and is now cultivated in many parts of the world, including throughout Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Southern Africa, and in tropical regions of the Americas such as Hawaii and Florida.
The lychee tree begins to bear fruit after 3-5 years, reaching peak production after 8-15 years. Lychee trees can live 100 years or more but commercial orchards are typically replanted after 30-50 years when productivity declines.
Lychee fruit grow in clusters on the branches and trunk of the lychee tree. The thin leathery skin covering the fruit is pink-red to bright red when ripe. Underneath the skin is the edible flesh, which is translucent white or pinkish, crisp and juicy, with a perfume-like flavor. In the center of the fruit is a single glossy brown seed that is not eaten.
When fresh, lychees have a refreshingly sweet floral aroma and taste. The flavor is described as a blend of grapes, strawberries, and roses. Lychees are low in calories and contain significant amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Where are lychees grown?
While lychees originated in Southern China, today they are grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The main producers of lychees globally are China, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan,Nepal, Madagascar, South Africa and Mauritius. In the United States, lychees are grown commercially in Hawaii and Florida.
Lychees require warm conditions with high humidity and rainfall to thrive. They prefer areas with cool, dry winters and hot, wet summers. Ideal growing temperatures range between 59-95 F (15-35 C). Lychees cannot withstand freezing temperatures.
Good drainage and protection from wind are also essential for successful cultivation. Lychees grow well in rich, fertile, sandy loam or alluvial soils. Because of their long growing period, lychees require soil moisture throughout the year.
Mainland China is by far the largest producer of lychees in the world, accounting for over 70% of global production. Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, and Yunnan are the major lychee producing provinces in China.
When is lychee season?
The lychee season varies around the world depending on local climate and cultivation practices. Here are some general lychee harvest seasons:
- China: mid-May to mid-July
- India: March to July, main season May-June
- Southeast Asia: April to August
- Australia: November to February
- South Africa: December to March
- Florida, USA: May to July
- Hawaii, USA: June to October
Because lychees have a relatively short harvest season, most commercially produced lychees are consumed fresh. Lychees are highly perishable and begin to lose their fresh flavor within a few days of harvest. Canning lychees in syrup allows enjoying their taste year-round.
How are canned lychees made?
Canned lychees are produced using ripe, fresh lychees during the harvest season. After the lychees are picked, they are transported to canning facilities and processed rapidly to preserve quality. The main steps in canning lychees include:
- Washing and sorting – Fresh lychees are washed thoroughly in clean water and sorted to remove any damaged, bruised or unripe fruit.
- Peeling and pitting – The skin and seed are removed from each lychee using specialized peeling machines and equipment.
- Syrup preparation – A hot syrup is prepared by dissolving sugar in filtered water. The amount of sugar added determines the syrup sweetness.
- Blanching – Lychees are briefly immersed in hot water or steam to inactivate enzymes and preserve color, flavor and texture.
- Syruping – Blanching lychees are added to the prepared sugar syrup in cans or glass jars.
- Sealing and sterilization – Cans or jars are sealed airtight and heat sterilized using pressure cookers or retorts to kill any spoilage microorganisms.
- Cooling and storage – After sterilization, canned lychees are cooled then labeled and stored until distribution.
The entire canning process is carefully controlled to ensure high quality and food safety. Canned lychees have a typical shelf life of 12-24 months.
Types of canned lychees
Canned lychees are available in a range of product styles including:
- Lychees in light syrup – Lychees packed in a relatively low sugar syrup. Considered “light” in calories and sugar content.
- Lychees in heavy syrup – Lychees preserved in a high sugar, thicker syrup. Provides a sweeter taste.
- Lychees in juice – Lychees packed in fruit juice, usually from concentrate. A light alternative.
- Spiced lychees – Lychees canned with spices and flavorings such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves or ginger.
- Dried lychees – Dehydrated canned lychees. Chewier texture with concentrated flavor.
Both metal cans and glass jars are commonly used packaging formats for canned lychees. Consumers can choose from whole lychees or lychee halves depending on preference. Some products may combine lychees with other fruits like pineapple or grapefruit.
Nutrition facts of canned lychees
Here are some key nutrients provided in a typical 143g serving of canned lychees in syrup:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 137 |
| Protein | 1.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 34.6g |
| Sugars | 32.9g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.7g |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Vitamin C | 9.9mg |
| Potassium | 187mg |
The most significant nutrients provided by canned lychees are carbohydrates (mainly sugars) and vitamin C. Lychees are naturally low in fat and protein. The syrup packing liquid also adds extra sugar and calories compared to fresh lychees.
Benefits of canned lychees
Here are some of the benefits that canned lychees offer:
- Longer shelf life – Canning lychees extends their shelf life from a few days when fresh to 12-24 months in cans or jars.
- Year-round availability – Unlike fresh lychees, canned lychees can be enjoyed regardless of season or harvest schedules.
- Easy to store and use – Canned lychees are quick and convenient – no peeling, seeding or preparation needed.
- Consistent quality – The canning process ensures a consistent flavor and texture.
- Nutritious – Canned lychees retain much of the vitamin C and antioxidants found in fresh lychees.
- Versatile – Canned lychees can be used in fruit salads, desserts, smoothies, cocktails and many other recipes.
For people who enjoy the unique taste of lychees, having canned lychees stocked in the pantry provides the opportunity to indulge in this exotic fruit at any time of year.
Uses for canned lychees
Canned lychees are extremely versatile in the kitchen. Here are some popular ways to use lychees in syrup:
- Add to fruit salads and parfaits
- Blend into smoothies, milkshakes or ice cream
- Mix into yogurt, oatmeal or chia pudding
- Top pancakes, waffles or French toast
- Layer in trifles or fruit tarts
- Combine with cake or cupcakes
- Mix into cocktails, lemonades or sangria
- Stir into gelatin or panna cotta desserts
- Blend into fruit chutneys and relishes
- Top cheesecakes, mousses and soufflés
The syrup in canned lychees can also be used to sweeten tea, cocktails and desserts. Spiced or dried lychees add exotic flavor to curries, stir fries and rice dishes.
Popular brands and availability
Some top brands for canned lychees include:
- Del Monte – Offers whole lychees in light or heavy syrup
- Dole – Whole lychees in juice or light syrup
- Safeway – Canned lychee halves and chunks in syrup
- Vita – Whole and half lychees in syrup or juice
- Siam Food – Halved lychees in syrup from Thailand
- Temple of Thai – Sweetened dried lychees from Thailand
In the U.S., canned lychees can be found online and in the Asian or international aisle at major grocery stores. They are also widely available at Asian supermarkets, specialty stores and warehouse chains.
When buying canned lychees, it’s best to choose products without added sugar when possible to limit calories and added sweetness. Carefully check ingredients lists for added flavors, preservatives or sulfites if food sensitivities are a concern.
How to tell if canned lychees are bad?
Here are some signs that canned lychees have spoiled and should be discarded:
- Bulging or damaged cans: Can swelling or leaks indicate bacteria contamination.
- Off odors: Lychees should have a sweet, perfumed scent. Foul, sour or unpleasant smells mean spoilage.
- Discoloration: Look for excessive browning of the lychee fruit flesh.
- Slimy texture: Lychees should be firm and juicy. Mushy or slimy texture is a bad sign.
- Mold: Check fruit carefully for hairy mold, which can occur if cans are damaged or improperly sealed.
- Changes in flavor: Taste lychees for odd, bitter, or “off” flavors.
As long as cans remain in good condition and fully sealed, commercially canned lychees have a long shelf life of 12-24 months from the packaging date. However, lychees should be consumed by the “best by” date and inspected prior to eating.
Precautions when eating canned lychees
Here are some precautions to consider with canned lychees:
- Added sugar – Many canned lychees are packed in syrup, which increases calories and sugar intake compared to fresh lychees. Those watching their sugar should opt for lychees canned in juice.
- Sulfites – Some brands may use sulfites as preservatives, which should be avoided by those with sensitivities.
- Heavy metal exposure – Lychees grown in certain areas may have a risk of heavy metal contamination. Purchasing reputable brands reduces this risk.
- Acrylamide – High-temperature heating when canning may cause acrylamide formation, a potential carcinogen. Consume canned items in moderation as part of a varied diet.
- BPA linings – Some cans use BPA linings, which may leach small amounts of BPA. Opt for lychees canned in glass jars if this is a concern.
Those with kidney problems should also limit potassium-rich canned lychees in their diet. As with any food, moderation is key – canned lychees should be one component of an overall healthy and balanced diet.
Conclusion
Canned lychees provide a tasty way to enjoy the sweet, floral flavor of this exotic Asian fruit any time of year. While fresh lychees are only in season for a few months, lychees canned in syrup or juice offer versatile fruit that keeps its nutrients and aroma. With simple storage and a long shelf life, canned lychees give consumers easy access to this prized fruit. They can be used in drinks, desserts, salads, yogurt, oatmeal, cocktails and many other recipes. Thanks to canning, lychees can move from orchards in Asia to kitchens around the world for enjoyment all year long.