Litch

(Lychee)

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Harvest time: Early May to early June

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Litch (scientific name: Litchi chinensis) is a Sapindaceae family fruit tree.

It is also called litchi or lychee based on its Cantonese pronunciation (lai6ji1) or its Taiwanese and Minnan pronunciation (lāi-tsi).

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It is native to the Lingnan region of China and is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates. It has been cherished in China since ancient times for its elegant sweetness and fragrance and is famous for the story of Emperor Xuanzong having it carried from southern China to the capital Chang'an on a fast horse for Yang Guifei.