Fresh Longans
I know I’ve featured Fresh Longans before, but they bear a second post because while those longans from Thailand were good, these ones from Florida were absolutely great.
They fit my definition of perfect—perfectly fresh, perfectly juicy, perfectly sweet. So delicious.
If you see these Florida ones in your local Asian market (it’s best to ask someone who works in the produce department where the fruit is from) and you’re so inclined, buy a little. They’re best eaten as soon as possible; definitely eat at least some on the purchase day.
I actually like to consume the longans at room temperature (on the first day), but usually buy more than I can eat in one day, so I have to refrigerate them. But don’t do what I did the first time I bought these ones, which was to keep them in the plastic bag they came in. They got a bit wet that way (as you can tell in the photo). I don’t think it affected their flavor too much, but I think it’s better to keep the longans wrapped in paper towels in your refrigerator.
I’ve been getting them from the store just about every week for the past month. These Round Two ones fared better after I wrapped them in the towels.
The Florida longans do cost more than the Thailand ones pictured on the right—I’ve paid 50 cents to $2 more a pound—but I think they’re worth the extra cost. (The Florida longans have ranged in price from about $3 to $5 a pound.)
Wow! I always thought these were imported, but I guess they’re closer than a one day plane ride! XD
TabzChewy: I’ve only ever had the imported ones (from Thailand, I guess) until this summer. There is a big flavor difference between the two; at the very least, the Florida ones taste a lot fresher.
Yeah, I actually found a website once for a place in FL where they grow “exotic” fruit like longans, lychees, etc. and you could go tour and then buy the fruit.
Slammie: Now that is a tour I would like to go on. One of my (weird) urban dreams is to have a backyard full of fruit trees.
I tried these in Hawaii after I saw a little kid eating them and fell in love. They are so refreshing and crisp but nothing prepared me for the huge seed. I wonder if you could plant it and grow them?
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG049
Sarahbelle: Follow Slammie’s link, and you can find the answer under the “Propagation” section.
Slammie: Thanks for the link to that informative site!
Thanks for the info y’all - guess I will not be trying that at home.