Strange Lychee Season

[bradflorida]

Strange how the Mauritius lychee trees, which are supposed to be the reliable commercial variety that is the most consistent bearing,  didn't seem to produce well here in Southwest Florida (Pine Island) this year.  However, the Hak Ips produced well.  I know that we had a wet beginning of the winter, and it was mild.  Anyone have any theories as to the strange bearing of lychees this year?

Brad

[fruitlovers]

Strange how the Mauritius lychee trees, which are supposed to be the reliable commercial variety that is the most consistent bearing,  didn't seem to produce well here in Southwest Florida (Pine Island) this year.  However, the Hak Ips produced well.  I know that we had a wet beginning of the winter, and it was mild.  Anyone have any theories as to the strange bearing of lychees this year?

Brad

To tell you the truth i don't think anyone yet fully understands what triggers flowering in lychees. This lychee nut has yet to be cracked (fully).

[bradflorida]

And that raises another question.  Often when I ask people if they have heard of lychees, they respond "do you mean lychee nuts"?  Why are they called nuts?  Were the seeds ever available separately for purchase?  A lady who sells lychees on Pine Island said that lychees in old times used to be left on the counter after being picked, and they would later dry out and that basically left the seed surrounded by a dried out fruit, and therefore the whole thing was referred to as a nut.  That just didnt sound right. 

Brad

[bsbullie]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

[fruitlovers]

And that raises another question.  Often when I ask people if they have heard of lychees, they respond "do you mean lychee nuts"?  Why are they called nuts?  Were the seeds ever available separately for purchase?  A lady who sells lychees on Pine Island said that lychees in old times used to be left on the counter after being picked, and they would later dry out and that basically left the seed surrounded by a dried out fruit, and therefore the whole thing was referred to as a nut.  That just didnt sound right. 

Brad

That lady is right. Lychee nut refers to dried out lychee, including skin, seed, and fruit, ie dried whole. I think it was called a nut because you had to crack and peel the outer skin before eating, a little bit like a nut has to be cracked before eating.

[fruitlovers]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

Hmmmm. Wonder if this year's spectacular ratings of all the lychees have something to do with the great scarcity of fruit? 

[bsbullie]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

Hmmmm. Wonder if this year's spectacular ratings of all the lychees have something to do with the great scarcity of fruit? 

While its overall scarce, some trees have been downright loaded.  The Mauritius I have came from a medium sized tree that yielded close to 150 lbs and still has some fruit left on it.  The sweetheart I purchased have also been steadily supplied for the last week+ to its seller.  The Hak Ips I am not sure of, as I have only been able to procure a limited amount and am waiting on a secondary source for the next batch.  Now, relating the scarcity to quality, as you say, I would say no.  As you may have seen me say that I amhave not been a big fan of Mauritius, while I have been eating both the Sweetheart/Hak Ip, I will say that the Mauritius have been giving both a run for their proverbial money.

[Squam256]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

Hmmmm. Wonder if this year's spectacular ratings of all the lychees have something to do with the great scarcity of fruit? 

No, there's truth to it. I don't normally care much for Ha Kip but its been excellent this year.

[fyliu]

What's normal lychee season in FL? In socal we harvest them in October.

[bsbullie]

What's normal lychee season in FL? In socal we harvest them in October.

While there are the outliers, usually around late May to late June.  It is not the timing of the season that is not normal this year in Florida, it is the lack of producing trees.  Speaking in terms of SFla, this has been one of the worst years for fruit production in many years.  Throwing the "three year" statistics out the window, this year has been an anomaly in terms of lychee fruit production.

[fyliu]

I see. I don't have enough trees to tell but my Hak Ip was loaded with flowers this year. It takes my trees 3 years to store enough energy for a flush like this.

[bsbullie]

I see. I don't have enough trees to tell but my Hak Ip was loaded with flowers this year. It takes my trees 3 years to store enough energy for a flush like this.

That is where the "three year" statistic may come into play...a Hak Ip tree is known to give a full crop, on average, one in every three years ( I am saying full, not that it can not produce any crop at all).

[HMHausman]

I wish I could remember what lychees tasted like......nuts or otherwise.

Harry

[puglvr1]

I wish I could remember what lychees tasted like......nuts or otherwise.
Harry

Lol SO true Harry!! Hoping to taste some from the local produce stands around here...but it won't be for at least 2 more weeks I'm told??

[bradflorida]

Has anyone ever tasted Groff lychees, or know if they really do fruit very late in the season?  Some references have said that they are ripe in Aug/Sept, but that might be in Hawaii or California.

Brad

[fyliu]

I don't know that Groff is grown in CA. It was a Hak Ip seedling discovered in HI.

[fruitlovers]

Has anyone ever tasted Groff lychees, or know if they really do fruit very late in the season?  Some references have said that they are ripe in Aug/Sept, but that might be in Hawaii or California.

Brad

I have Groff lychee here. Yes it fruits very late. The August date is for Hawaii. Good thing about Groff is that all the fruits are chicken tongue (aborted small seeds). Bad thing is that in my opinion it's the worst tasting of the lychees i have. Also it's quite a small lychee, so even though all seeds are small you still get same quantity of pulp as in a bigger lychee with big seed.

[bradflorida]

Oscar -

Is the Groff in season when all others are totally done, or is it just a bit later than the rest? 

How would you describe the groff taste?

Brad

[natsgarden123]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

Does anyone with locally grown lychees have them for sale?

[bsbullie]

Here is Palm Beach County, I have tasted fresh picked Hak Ips, Sweet Hearts and Mauritius.  Though for the most part the season has been just short of a bust, production wise, the quality of what I have tasted have been outstanding.  While I really don't have to tout my favorite, the Hak Ip, these have been spectacular as have been the Sweethearts (yes, there are the two schools of thought with respect to the Hak Ip and Sweetheart: one in the same or two distinct varieties).  I rest on the side that they are one on the same, and from what I have seen and eaten this season supports that.  The size, shape, look and taste have been identical.  The one standout has been the Mauritius.  This years crop from Excalibur have been some of the best, if not the best, Mauritius I have ever tasted.  While I have plenty currently sitting in my fridge of both Sweethearts and Mauritius (yes, the Hak Ips have all been devoured...hoping on a few sources for another batch in the near future), I am looking forward to what any other available varieties have to bring before the season ends here on the East Coast of SFla.

As far as the lychee nut, that is a definition termed to a dried lychee.  Before the lychee was widely available commercially from the likes of Florida, China and Mexico, the main source available to the rest of the world was a lychee in its dried form, which was coined a "lychee nut".

Does anyone with locally grown lychees have them for sale?

Excalibur may have some left over from Saturday's harvest.  If not, The Fortune Cookie on Forest Hill Blvd. May still have some as well as that oriental market I told you about on Military and Lantana (both oriental market's lychees would be from local sources.

[natsgarden123]

the oriental market on Forest Hill is down the street from my office-i know where Ill be for lunch 

[natsgarden123]

Just got my big bag of lychees ( they say the fruits are sweetheart) are locally grown- I have been there many times to buy tea, curry paste (and great Japanese sake   . I never realized that they lychees as well.  They also have preserved persimmons which are delicious.

[bsbullie]

Just got my big bag of lychees ( they say the fruits are sweetheart) are locally grown- I have been there many times to buy tea, curry paste (and great Japanese sake   . I never realized that they lychees as well.  They also have preserved persimmons which are delicious.

The box marked Sweetheart are indeed Sweetheart/Hak Ip and very good quality.  The other box, with the lychees in the stems are Mauritius.  They also sell Nam Wa bananas in the produce room.

As for buying any other items there...be very careful of the expiration dates.

[natsgarden123]

Just got my big bag of lychees ( they say the fruits are sweetheart) are locally grown- I have been there many times to buy tea, curry paste (and great Japanese sake   . I never realized that they lychees as well.  They also have preserved persimmons which are delicious.

The box marked Sweetheart are indeed Sweetheart/Hak Ip and very good quality.  The other box, with the lychees in the stems are Mauritius.  They also sell Nam Wa bananas in the produce room.

As for buying any other items there...be very careful of the expiration dates.

You are right about the dates..
The lychees in the other box were all brown-didn't look very appealing.  They also had a Jackfruit sitting there and some wax jambu

[simon_grow]

My Lychee trees here in San Diego are completely confused.  My small Kaimana and Emperor have been flowering for the last month, slowly maturing flowers from different panicles each week.  My larger Sweetheart had a very strong veg flush and I found a few very small bloom spikes scattered around the tree.  I'm hoping my Kaimana and Emperor will hold a few fruit this year but I have no idea when they may be ready.  I believe our normal season(if there is a normal season) for Lychees here in San Diego is around September. 
Simon