Longan is a traditional and precious fruit in China and one of the popular fruits worldwide. In addition to its unique texture and rich nutritional value, its sweetness is also a highly regarded aspect. So, what is the sweetness of longan? Today, let's uncover it together!
What is sweetness?
Sweetness is an evaluation of the intensity and duration of the perception of sweet substances in food by the human mouth. It is usually based on sugar concentration to compare the sweetness levels of different foods.
What is the sweetness of longan?
The sweetness of longan does not have a fixed value; it is influenced by many factors, such as the growing environment, variety, etc. Generally speaking, the flesh of mature longan contains 14%-18% total sugar, the main components of which are sucrose, glucose, and fructose.
The sweetness of different longan varieties varies
There are many varieties of longan, and the sweetness of different varieties will also vary. According to research by professionals, among the three major varieties, Chun Guo (Spring Fruit) is the sweetest, followed by Ju Hua Yan (Chrysanthemum Eye) and Gui Yuan Yan (Longan Eye).
The influence of climate on longan sweetness
The climate is also an important factor affecting the sweetness of longan. A warm and humid climate and soil are conducive to the growth and sugar accumulation of longan. The sugar content of the same variety of longan also varies in different producing areas and seasons.
The effect of longan maturity on sweetness
The maturity of longan also affects its sweetness. When the fruit is immature, the sugar content is lower, and the taste is more sour and astringent; after ripening, the flesh becomes soft, glutinous, and juicy, and the sweetness also increases accordingly.
The influence of harvesting time
The time of harvesting longan also affects its sweetness. Generally, the sugar content of the fruit is highest 1-2 days after harvesting. As time passes, the sweetness gradually decreases, and the freshness of the fruit will also gradually decrease.
The effect of storage time on longan sweetness
The storage time of longan also has a certain impact on its sweetness. The fresher the longan, the higher its sweetness. When buying and eating, you should try to choose fresh longan.
Differences in sweetness from different consumption methods
In addition to eating fresh longan, people can also consume it in other ways, such as making dried longan, longan cakes, etc. The sweetness of these foods will also vary depending on the production method.
How to judge the sweetness of longan?
Judging the sweetness of longan requires experience and sensory perception. Generally speaking, longan with soft and glutinous flesh, delicate texture, rich juice, and a sweet taste has higher sweetness.
How to store longan to maintain its sweetness?
To maintain the sweetness of longan, you should choose fresh, mature, and undamaged fruits and consume them as soon as possible. If you need to store them for a period of time, you can place the longan in a ventilated, cool, and dry place and avoid moisture.
The nutritional value of longan
In addition to its high sweetness, the nutritional value of longan is also very rich. It is rich in various nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, etc., and has a good effect on enhancing human immunity and improving human health.
The medicinal value of longan
Longan also has extensive application value in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It can treat many diseases such as insomnia, palpitations, heart palpitations, headaches, etc., and is also helpful in regulating women's endocrine system.
Dietary contraindications for longan
Although longan is very sweet, there are some people who should not eat it. For example, people with a cold stomach, weak spleen, or excessive liver fire should try to eat less or not eat longan.
How to choose high-quality longan?
When choosing high-quality longan, pay attention to the size, shape, color, and smoothness of the fruit's surface. At the same time, also pay attention to whether the fruit has scratches or discoloration, and whether there are problems such as insect damage or disease spots.
In summary, the sweetness of longan is affected by many factors, such as different varieties, climate, maturity, harvesting time, and storage time. These will all have a certain impact on its sweetness. To eat healthy and delicious longan, we need to choose high-quality fruits and pay attention to storage and consumption methods.