Native to Southeast Asia, the longan is now cultivated as a commercial crop in Australia. A comparison with lychees is unavoidable as they are closely related and appear similar after peeling. Instead of the bright pinkish red, rough skin of the lychee, the longan's skin is smoother, more brittle and pale brown, but its flesh, not as white as that of the lychee, is every bit as luscious and is even sweeter and more fragrant. The Chinese name of loong narn translates as "dragon's eye." Smaller than a lychee, it is also rounder in shape and as the shiny black seed shows through the
translucent aril, one understands the aptness of the Chinese description.
A fruit as delicately fragrant as this should really be eaten on its own not messed about, cut up, mixed into fruit salads or otherwise compromised. The skin is thin and easily removed.
