Lychee: The Iconic Fruit That Embodies Summer and History

Lychees, native to southern China and northern Vietnam, have enchanted people for centuries with their juicy, floral-flavored flesh. Historical records trace their cultivation to 200 BC, and a 2022 study suggests they originated in Yunnan tens of thousands of years ago. The fruit’s allure reached royal heights during the Tang dynasty, while European explorers marveled at its taste in the 16th century. With cultural symbolism tied to prosperity and intelligence, the lychee remains a cherished emblem of summer and southern heritage.

“Eating three hundred lychees every day, I would long live in Lingnan.” These poetic words by Song dynasty poet Su Shi capture the enduring allure of the lychee, a fruit that continues to enchant taste buds across Asia and beyond. From the bustling wet markets of Hong Kong to the vibrant streets of Hanoi, heaps of dusty-pink lychees grace stalls, heralding the arrival of summer.

With their thin, leathery skins that peel back to reveal juicy, translucent-white flesh, lychees are a sensory delight. Their floral aroma and subtly sweet flavor make them a cherished treat, especially in the regions where they are native: southern China and northern Vietnam. Historical records trace the lychee’s presence in China as far back as 200 BC, underlining its long-standing cultural and culinary significance.

A Fruit With Ancient Roots

A 2022 study in Nature Genetics unraveled the ancient origins of the lychee through DNA sequencing. Researchers theorized that the fruit first appeared tens of thousands of years ago in what is now Yunnan province, China. From there, lychee seeds traveled along the Xijiang and Pearl rivers, eventually reaching Guangdong province, Guangxi, Hainan Island, and Vietnam.

Interestingly, the lychee underwent domestication twice, resulting in distinct lineages in Hainan and Yunnan provinces. Over time, this subtropical fruit found its way to other parts of the world. By the 18th and 19th centuries, lychees were being cultivated in Jamaica and Florida, expanding their global reach.

A Royal Obsession

The lychee’s appeal is not a modern phenomenon. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), Yang Guifei, the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong, became famously enamored with the fruit. Her obsession led the emperor to establish a horse-relay system to deliver fresh lychees from southern China to the imperial court at remarkable speed. This extravagant gesture is immortalized in the historical text New Book of Tang and celebrated in Du Mu’s poem Passing Huaqing Palace.

The Lychee’s Journey to the West

European explorers first encountered lychees centuries later. Spanish bishop and sinologist Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza described the fruit in his 1585 book The History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China. He marveled at its “exceeding gallant taste” and noted its harmlessness, no matter how many were consumed.

The lychee was further introduced to the Western scientific community by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in his 1782 book Voyage to the East Indies and China. He gave the fruit its scientific name, Litchi chinensis, identifying it as the sole member of its genus in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae.

The Etymology of Lychee

The name “lychee” derives from its Chinese appellation 荔枝, pronounced laih jī in Cantonese and lì zhī in Mandarin. Over the centuries, English spellings varied from “letchee” and “lichee” to “li-chee” and “leechee,” before settling on the now-standard “lychee.”

An alternative name, 离枝 (lí zhī), meaning “leaving the branch,” highlights the fruit’s rapid deterioration once picked. Ancient Chinese poet Sima Xiangru alluded to this trait in his classic work Shang-lin-fu, emphasizing the importance of harvesting lychees with their stalks attached.

A Symbol of Luck and Prosperity

Beyond its culinary appeal, the lychee holds cultural significance in Chinese traditions. The wordplay in its name lends the fruit auspicious meanings. 荔 (lì) sounds like 利 (lì), meaning “sharp” or “intelligent,” while 荔枝 (lì zhī) is a near-homophone for 利子, which translates to “interest in money” or “male heir.” These associations make lychee-themed art and ceramics popular gifts for weddings and other celebrations.

A Taste of Summer

Today, the lychee remains a symbol of summertime indulgence. Whether enjoyed as a refreshing soda in a Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng or as a lychee martini in a chic rooftop bar, this fruit captures the essence of the season. One of its most beloved varieties, Fei Tsu Hsiao – meaning “imperial concubine’s smile” – serves as a nod to both its royal history and its irresistible charm.

From its ancient roots in southern China to its global recognition, the lychee continues to delight and inspire with its rich history, cultural symbolism, and unmistakable flavor.

Source: Information for this article was drawn from SCMP.