Longan fruit is a fruit with
a unique taste. It is also known as the Dragon's Eye. It is full of valuable
nutrients and has many amazing health benefits. Mainly, longan is native to
Southeast Asia. But now it is becoming popular worldwide. Today, in this
article, I will share the nutritional value of longan fruit, its health
benefits, how to eat it and how to grow it at home. You will get everything you
need to know about longan fruit in this article. If you are looking for a new
superfood, longan fruit can be the best superfood. So, now let's take a deep
idea about longan fruit step by step.
Longan
What is Longan Fruit?
Longan fruit is
scientifically known as Dimocarpus Longan. It is a small and round
fruit. It has a thin and light-brown skin. It has a black seed and a juicy and
transparent flesh around the seed. It is somewhat similar to lychee and
rambutan. Like them, it is also very popular. Above all, longan fruit tastes
slightly sweet and musky. It is very refreshing and a versatile ingredient in
many foods and drinks.
Longan Fruit Origin and History
Longan is native to Southeast Asia. It is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It was first grown in southern China and northern Vietnam. Now longan is grown worldwide. Its name comes from the Chinese word Long Yan. It was named Dragon's Eye because it resembled a peeled eyeball. The fruit has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Specially, longan fruit is used to increase energy, improve sleep and calm the mind.
Nutritional Profile
of Longan Fruit
Longan fruit is small but
has a lot of nutritional value. It contains riboflavin (B2), folate (B9),
vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, antioxidants like
polyphenols, carbohydrates, fiber, natural sugars, protein, a little fat and
water content. It is low in calories. Because of these valuable nutrients,
longan fruit is very beneficial for health.
Top 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Longan Fruit
Longan looks small but it
has excellent nutritional content. It is very beneficial for the health for
this nutritional content. Below are the top 10 surprising benefits of longan
are as follows:
1. Boosts Immunity
Longan fruit contains high
levels of antioxidants. Especially, it is the storehouse of vitamin C. It
fights against free radicals and boosts immune function. Regular eating of
longan reduces oxidative stress. As a result, the risk of many serious
diseases including heart attack and cancer is reduced. If you add longan to
your diet, your immunity will increase manifolds. So, your body's cells will be
protected from damage and no serious and common disease will be able to attack
you suddenly.
2. Reduces stress and Brings Good Sleep
Longan fruit has natural
sedative properties. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase
sleep and reduce stress. It also reduces fatigue and anxiety. If you get good
results. You don't sleep well at night, you can eat longan regularly. You
will get good results. You don't have to take sleeping tablets every
night anymore. Longan will be your sleeping tablet.
3. Keeps Skin Healthy and Reduces Signs of Aging
Longan fruit is full of
vitamin C and other antioxidants. These help in collagen production and reduce
wrinkles and fine lines. Besides, vitamin C prevents harm from ultraviolet rays
and environmental pollutants and keeps the skin firm, youthful and glowing.
4. Helps in Digestion
Longan contains a lot of
fiber. It regulates bowel movements, prevents constipation and improves
digestion. Fiber is essential for intestinal health. Basically, the fiber in
longan is very effective for the digestive system.
5. Helps in Cardiovascular Health
The potassium and magnesium
in longan play a very important role in cardiovascular health. Its
potassium helps in controlling blood pressure. On the other hand, magnesium
increases heart function and helps in keeping muscles healthy. Regular
eating of longan keeps cholesterol levels under control and reduces the risk of
high blood pressure and other heart-related problems.
6. Improves Memory and Brain Function
The antioxidants in Longan
fruit improve brain function and memory. As a result, brain cells are protected
from oxidative stress. Besides, longan helps to increase mental clarity
and reduce brain trouble.
7. Strengthens Bones
The magnesium, phosphorus
and potassium in longan play a vital role in keeping bones healthy. These
minerals help maintain bone density among old people and reduce the risk of
osteoporosis.
8. Acts as a Natural Mood Booster
The valuable compounds in
Longan fruit help in changing mild anxiety and mood swings. Eating longan
keeps the mind calm and the mood is good. So, everyone should eat longan to
improve mental well-being.
9. Heals wounds
The high vitamin C in longan
heals wounds by increasing collagen production. Usually, collagen is very
important for skin regeneration and tissue repair. So, everyone should
eat longan to get rid of wounds fast.
10. Keeps Eyes Healthy
The vitamin A and
antioxidants in longan keep the eyes healthy. These nutrients protect
against age-related eye problems.
How to Eat Longan Fruit
Eating longan fruit is easy.
If you don't know how to eat longan fruit, learn the tips for eating longan
fruit from below.
Peel the Skin:
Crack the skin by pressing it gently with your fingers or using a small knife.
After cracking the skin, you will see the juicy and transparent flesh inside
its skin.
Remove the Seed:
After peeling, you will find a black seed in the center. Now enjoy the flesh
and discard the seed.
Enjoy Fresh or in
Recipes: Longan tastes well when eaten raw. It is a great snack itself.
You can add it to fruit salads, smoothies, desserts or tea. You can also add it
to other fruits such as mango, pineapple and coconut.
Read more:
Growing Longan Indoors
If you live in a warm,
tropical or subtropical region, you can grow a longan trees at home. The best
and easiest way to grow a longan tree at home is as follows:
1. Choosing the Right Place
Longan trees need a lot of
sunlight. So, choose a place that has full sunlight for most of the time of the
day. They also need well-drained soil to grow. While planting them, plant them
15/10 feet away from other trees because these trees grow up to 30 feet tall.
2. Watering and Fertilizing
Water longan trees
sparingly. Do not overwater them because it can cause their roots to rot. And,
use a balanced organic fertilizer for their good growth.
3. Insect Control
The insects that harm longan
trees are aphids, fruit flies and mealybugs. To control them, spray the longan
trees with neem oil and insecticidal soap once a week.
After planting the longan
trees, it may take a few years to get its fruits. So, be patient and continue
taking care of them. One day, you will be able to enjoy fresh longan grown in
your home garden.
FAQs
1. What does longan taste like?
Longan fruit has a floral sweet and juicy flavor. Its taste is compared to lychee. It has a light musky aroma and mild honey flavor. Its texture is soft and jelly-like.
2. How to tell if longan is ripe?
When the longan ripens, its skin becomes hard and slightly brown. Besides, ripe longan has a sweet aroma and feels plump when pressed gently. After it is ripe, its flesh becomes transparent and juicy.
3. How long does
fresh longan fruit last?
When stored in the
refrigerator, longan fruit can last up to 1-2 weeks. For longer storage, you
can freeze the fruit after removing the skin and seeds.
4. Is longan fruit
high in sugar?
Longan fruit contains
natural sugars but it is relatively low in calories. Eating Longan fruit in
moderation is a healthy alternative to sugary snacks.
5. Can you grow
longan tree in a container?
Yes, if you don't have a
garden space for the plant, it is possible to grow it in a large container.
Fill a large pot with well-draining soil. Then plant the longan plant in this
container.
In conclusion, longan fruit is a delicious and nutritious fruit. Everyone loves it for its surprising health benefits. But many people do not know how to eat and grow longan fruit. But the good news is that you have already known the easy way to eat and grow longan fruit. Now buy longan fruit from the market and enjoy it as per the instructions in the article. If you wish, you can also buy a longan plant, grow it in your home garden and after a few years, enjoy your own grown longan fruit by taking care of it as per the instructions in the article.
Are you interested in
getting the health benefits of eating longan fruit? If you are interested,
share your wish in the comments.
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