Thailand Premium Highland Lychees (Linjee)

Grade: 1

Parts of Thailand have the world’s best climate for growing Lychee.

Lychee is a popular fruit found in Thailand that grows on a tropical tree of the same name. The tree is native to China, however, it’s cultivated widely across Southeast Asia. 

Covered by a red, roughly-textured rind that's inedible but easily removed, the inside of a Lychee consists of a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh that has a texture somewhat similar to that of a grape. The centre contains a single glossy brown nut-like seed that should not be eaten. 

Peeled Lychee fruit is fleshy with a translucent white colour and a pleasant floral aroma. The taste is quite a mild sweetness, but it’s a very juicy, succulent fruit that tastes really pleasant in warm weather. 

There’s a lovely pleasant middle-aged woman in the Saturday Walking Street Market in Chiang Mai who sells a really pleasant wine made from Lychee. The floral notes work wonderfully, and the flavour is very reminiscent of a fruity white wine.