How to store lychee for a long time

Litchi can be stored for an extended period of time through methods such as refrigeration, freezing, and drying. The storage time of lychee is affected by factors such as temperature, humidity, maturity, storage method, and packaging method.

1. Refrigerate storage

Place fresh lychee in a fresh-keeping bag, remove the air from the bag, seal it, and place it in the refrigerator compartment at 4-6 ℃. Refrigerated storage can last for 3-5 days, and the color of the fruit shell may darken without affecting the quality of the flesh. No need to clean before refrigeration, surface moisture will accelerate decay. If black spots or water seepage are found on the fruit shell, it should be discarded immediately.

2. Cryopreservation

Peel off the intact fruit pulp and put it in a sealed box. Inject light sugar water to immerse the fruit pulp and place it in a -18 ℃ freezer. Freezing can store for 2-3 months, but thawing will cause the meat to become soft, making it suitable for making smoothies or desserts. The freezing process can damage the cell structure, and it is not recommended to eat it fresh directly. After each use, it should be immediately returned to the freezer to avoid repeated thawing.

3. Drying treatment

Peel off the fruit pulp slices and lay them flat in a dryer. Dry them with hot air at 60 ℃ for 8-10 hours until completely dehydrated. Dried lychee can be sealed and stored for more than 6 months, and after rehydration, its texture is close to 80% of fresh fruit flesh. The drying process may result in the loss of some vitamin C, but dietary fiber and minerals remain intact. When the environmental humidity exceeds 60%, it is necessary to store it with a desiccant.

4. Maturity control

Selecting eight ripe fruits has the best preservation effect, with a uniform red shell and slightly soft scales. Overripe fruits have high sugar content and are prone to fermentation, while unripe fruits may produce an unpleasant odor during the ripening process. Within 24 hours after harvesting, the probability of lychee rot significantly increases when stored at room temperature for more than 48 hours.

5. Packaging Improvement

Vacuum packaging can extend the refrigeration period to 7 days, and soaking the fruit pulp in lemon juice for 2 minutes before vacuuming can delay oxidation. Filling the modified atmosphere packaging with a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide can extend the shelf life to 10 days. Traditional bamboo basket packaging requires the use of banana leaves for isolation and daily inspection to remove rotten fruits.

When storing lychee, it is necessary to avoid mixing it with fruits such as bananas and apples that release a large amount of ethylene. Regularly check the storage container for any accumulation of condensed water. If the fruit pulp becomes transparent or emits a smell of alcohol, it should be discarded immediately. For short-term storage, it is recommended to refrigerate to maintain the taste, while for long-term storage, freezing is preferred. Rinse the surface with running water before consumption, and it is recommended to consume fruits stored in refrigeration on the same day. People with special physical conditions should be aware that hairy lychee may cause allergic reactions, and should be consumed in moderation for the first time.