The Queen of Tropical Fruits

Discover the
Magic of Lychee

An ancient treasure from China with over 2,000 years of cultivation. Sweet, aromatic, and packed with extraordinary health benefits that have captivated cultures worldwide.

Explore Benefits View Varieties
Fresh whole lychees with red skin

Fresh & Ripe

Peak season sweetness

Peeled lychees showing translucent flesh

Translucent Flesh

Juicy & aromatic

Lychee fruit growing on tree

From the Tree

Nature's candy

2000+
Years of History
72mg
Vitamin C / 100g
66
Calories / 100g
82%
Water Content
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Nutritional Profile

A Powerhouse of Nutrients

Discover the impressive nutritional value packed into every serving of fresh lychee

Nutrition Calculator

Adjust quantity to see nutritional values

10
lychees (~100g)
66
Calories
16.5g
Carbs
1.3g
Fiber
15.2g
Sugars
0.8g
Protein
82%
Water

Vitamin Content (% Daily Value)

Vitamin C
80%
Vitamin B6
10%
Niacin
5%
Riboflavin
4%
Folate
4%

Essential Minerals

🔶
Copper
14% DV
🟡
Potassium
171mg
🟤
Phosphorus
31mg
⚪
Magnesium
10mg
🔵
Manganese
3% DV
🟢
Iron
0.3mg
Variety Explorer

Popular Lychee Varieties

Explore the diverse world of lychee cultivars from around the globe

Emperor Lychee 🇨🇳 China

Emperor

One of the largest lychee varieties, prized for its impressive size (up to 40g each) and exceptionally sweet, aromatic flesh with a small seed.

🍬 Extra Sweet 📏 Large Size 💎 Premium
Sweetheart Lychee 🇨🇳 China

Sweetheart

A heart-shaped variety known for its deep red skin and perfectly balanced sweetness. Popular in Southeast Asian markets.

❤️ Heart Shape 🎯 Balanced 🌟 Popular
Hak Ip Lychee 🇨🇳 China

Hak Ip (Black Leaf)

Named for its dark green leaves, this Cantonese variety offers intense sweetness with subtle honey undertones and small seeds.

🍯 Honey Notes 🌿 Dark Leaves ⭐ Classic
Shahi Lychee 🇮🇳 India

Shahi

The "Royal" lychee from Bihar, India. Medium-sized with exceptional aroma, rose-like fragrance, and rich, complex flavor profile.

🌹 Rose Aroma 👑 Royal 🏆 Award Winner
Muzaffarpur Lychee 🇮🇳 India

Muzaffarpur

From the "Lychee Capital of India," this variety has GI protection. Known for its bright red color, juicy flesh, and distinct sweetness.

📍 GI Protected 💧 Extra Juicy 🔴 Bright Red
Mauritius Lychee 🇲🇺 Mauritius

Mauritius

A globally popular commercial variety, adapted to various climates. Reliable producer with consistent quality and pleasant mild sweetness.

🌍 Global ✅ Reliable 🌡️ Adaptable
Brewster Lychee 🇺🇸 USA

Brewster

One of Florida's earliest cultivated varieties, thriving in subtropical climates since the late 1800s. Medium to large fruit with reddish skin and pleasant sweet-tart flavor.

🏝️ Subtropical 🍒 Sweet-Tart 📜 Heritage
Kwai Mai Pink Lychee 🇦🇺 Australia

Kwai Mai Pink

Australia's most popular variety, developed for reliable fruiting. Pink-red skin, small seed, and exceptional sweet flavor with floral notes.

🌸 Pink Skin 🌺 Floral ⚡ High Yield
Health Benefits

Remarkable Health Benefits

Science-backed reasons to add lychee to your diet

Immune System Boost

With 72mg of Vitamin C per 100g (80% daily value), lychee strengthens immune response and helps the body fight infections effectively.

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Heart Health

Potassium and polyphenols in lychee help regulate blood pressure and reduce LDL cholesterol, supporting cardiovascular wellness.

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Radiant Skin

Vitamin C promotes collagen production while antioxidants combat free radicals, reducing signs of aging and improving skin texture.

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Digestive Health

Dietary fiber and high water content support healthy digestion, prevent constipation, and maintain a balanced gut microbiome.

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Brain Function

B-vitamins and copper support neurotransmitter function, improving memory, focus, and overall cognitive performance.

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Antioxidant Power

Oligonol, epicatechin, and rutin provide powerful antioxidant protection, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body.

Learn more
Global Origins

Where Lychee Grows

Explore the major lychee-producing regions across the world

#1
🇨🇳

China

World's Largest Producer

The birthplace of lychee cultivation, China has been growing this prized fruit for over 2,000 years. The southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian produce the finest varieties, including the legendary Emperor lychee.

Emperor Hak Ip Sweetheart No Mai Chee
2.3M
Tonnes/Year
2000+
Years History
May-Jul
Peak Season
60%
World Supply
#2
🇮🇳

India

2nd Largest Producer
700K
Tonnes/Year
May-Jun
Peak Season
Shahi Muzaffarpur
#3
🇻🇳

Vietnam

Major Exporter
380K
Tonnes/Year
Jun-Jul
Peak Season
Thieu Hai Duong
#4
🇹🇭

Thailand

Growing Hub
85K
Tonnes/Year
Apr-Jun
Peak Season
Hong Huay Chompoo
#5
🇦🇺

Australia

Southern Hemisphere
5K
Tonnes/Year
Nov-Feb
Peak Season
Kwai Mai Pink
Seasonal Guide

When to Enjoy Fresh Lychee

Plan your lychee consumption around peak harvest seasons worldwide

Swipe to see all months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🇨🇳 China
🇮🇳 India
🇻🇳 Vietnam
🇹🇭 Thailand
🇦🇺 Australia
🇺🇸 Florida
Peak Season
Available
Off Season
🇨🇳

China

Peak: May - July

J F M A M J J A S O N D
🇮🇳

India

Peak: May - June

J F M A M J J A S O N D
🇻🇳

Vietnam

Peak: June - July

J F M A M J J A S O N D
🇹🇭

Thailand

Peak: April - June

J F M A M J J A S O N D
🇦🇺

Australia

Peak: Nov - Feb

J F M A M J J A S O N D
🇺🇸

Florida, USA

Peak: June - July

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Peak
Available

Selecting Fresh Lychee

Look for bright red to pink skin with no brown spots. The fruit should feel firm but give slightly when pressed.

Storage Tips

Store unwashed lychees in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. The skin may darken but the fruit inside stays fresh.

Best Time to Buy

May through July offers the best selection and prices in the Northern Hemisphere. Shop at Asian markets for variety.

Freezing Lychees

Freeze whole unpeeled lychees in airtight containers for up to 6 months. Thaw partially before peeling for best texture.

Fun Facts

Fascinating Lychee Trivia

Discover surprising facts about this beloved tropical fruit

01

Royal Favorite

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty loved lychees so much that he had fresh fruits delivered 600 miles on horseback to please his concubine Yang Guifei.

02

Ancient Origins

Lychee cultivation in southern China dates back to 2000 BC, making it one of the oldest cultivated fruits in human history.

03

Name Origin

The name "lychee" derives from the Cantonese pronunciation of "lìzhī" (荔枝). The fruit is also spelled "litchi" or "lichee" in different regions, reflecting various transliterations.

04

Honey Production

Lychee honey is a prized delicacy in China, produced by bees that feed on lychee flower nectar during spring. It has a distinctive floral aroma.

05

Family Tree

Lychee belongs to the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), making it a cousin to rambutan, longan, and even maple trees!

06

Slow Grower

Lychee trees take 3-5 years to produce fruit from grafted plants, or up to 10-25 years when grown from seed. Patience is key!