Fresh Lychees at Hoa Nam Grocery

Yesterday, I purchased some very nice looking fresh lychees at Hao Nam Grocery on Argyle.

At $2.99/lb., I found them to be a good value.

Info. on lychees @ thedeliciouslife.

E.M.

Hoa Nam Grocery
1101-3 W Argyle St.
773-275-9157
Seven Days

It must be lychee season, because when we were on the Chinese BBQ tour, someone was selling them on a street corner. I don't remember the price.

Lychees were also available at Mitsuwa for $2.99/lb. I am feeling kinda jipped since I paid $3.99/lb for some not too sweet ones over July 4th. But then, I was in Connecticut.

There is another variety of lychees called "Lo Mai" lychee (same sound (words?) as gultinous rice). This variety is sweeter, and the seed is much smaller. I have not seen this variety fresh in Chicago.

Another fruit similar to lychees that should be available now is longan ("dragon eyes"). Smaller and a little less juicy, it has a firmer texture and the same brown seed in the middle. If you do see it, I would suggest giving it a try.

I love summer. All my childhood favorite fruits are in season, but the problem would be getting them here in Chicago.

If anyone sees fresh jackfruit, mangosteens, or rambutans, please let me know!

CrazyC wrote:If anyone sees fresh jackfruit, mangosteens, or rambutans, please let me know!

It may be a bit late already - for imported stuff anyway.

Jackfruit I noticed in Argyle/Broadway in April<this thread>, although that may have been a bit early. And it was expensive (@$3.50/lb for a ≥20lb beast). Maybe now is the time to look for (Florida?) jackfruit...

Also Erik's post on Mangosteen

Lychees were also at Edgewater Produce, about the same price.

pd

I wonder what it'd take to air in 100Kg worth of lychee into the USA...

How to keep lychee 'fresh' for 3-4 wks

I know my counterparts in Taipei regularly import West Coast cherries and peaches for their own (as well as their premium accounts) consumption. I bet I can ship it into ORD warehouse for < $3/lb (not to mention a lot fresher..)

Food Harbor:
1421 W. Lake St. Addison, IL 60101

International Club
4000 W. 40th St. Chicago, IL 60632

Lychees: large, juicy and as sweet tasting as their smell.
$1.99/lb

North Water Market/Fresh Farms
2626 W Devon Ave
(773) 764 3557

They were at Edgewater produce again. I think they were $1.79, but I am not sure This time I got about a half pound and after chilling a bit ate the whole bag.

The blog Erik linked to above was quite interesting.

You can order fresh lychees and lychee products from Lychees Online Too bad they are out of both the Lychee chili sauce and the basting sauce, I almost place and order for the syrup and jam, but I will wait and see if they replace the other items.

pd