Taste Review Groff Lychee

[Galatians522]

I had heard mixed reviews about this Lychee in the past and was excited to finally be able to try it for myself. Groff is a Hak Ip seedling selection from Hawaii that is reported to be a reliable fruiter and very late. As expected, fruits ripened in the late season (with Emperor) and had a fairly thorny peel. While the fruits were on the small side, most of them had shriveled seeds so the edible portion was not much different than the B3 lychees I was eating at the same time (size has been on of the major knocks against this lychee from what I have read). The favor was good--something of a mix between Mauritius and Brewster with a little kick at the end almost like the bite you get from a carbonated beverage. I don't know if that was unique to this batch, or if that is typical for Groff. In any case, this added depth was a pleasent surprise. Finally, they seem to keep their flavor much better in storage than the other late season option (Emperor can go flat quickly iif it gets over ripe). There was very little loss in quality after more than a week of refrigerated storage. Over all, I was highly impressed by this little lychee. American $1 coins are about an inch for reference.

[Galatians522]

Once again, I apologize for the tiny picture. I guess that is all my phone is capeable of.

[johnb51]

Did you find these in Florida?  What's happening with the erinose mite?

[shot]

I had Grofff growing but did not like it not sweet enough for me

[Galatians522]

Did you find these in Florida?  What's happening with the erinose mite?

Yes, these are Florida grown (from a friend's grove). The mite has been troublesome, but has not ended lychee production yet... My thought is that door yard lychee production will steadily decline--just as citrus did. I hope that the commercial producers will be able stay in business.

[Galatians522]

I had Grofff growing but did not like it not sweet enough for me

I can see how not everyone would like it. I enjoy my lychees with some acid balance, so I thought it was great (I liked them better than the over ripe B3 I was eating at the same time). I need to borrow my Dad's brix meter to verify, but I think the sugars were good. I think Groff just has more acids. However, I think the higher acids are what allow it to keep longer in storage without losing flavor. A late lychee that also keeps well off the tree can really extend the season.

That being said, there are not a lot of options for this particular season--Emperor, Groff, Wai Chee (never been able to find a tree), and possibly the fabeled No Mai Chee (if you can get it to fruit). Unless of course you know of other better options? I am all ears if you do (or if you know where I can get a Wai Chee tree).

[happyhana]

Thanks for doing these reviews, nice to have a straightforward survey and opinion.

I also like Groff, nice flavor, keeps well. Though my tastes are in the minority, preferring lychees with some acidity I find Kaimana to be a bit syrupy. After eating lots of Groff I get this building cherry candy flavor on the tongue.

My biggest complaint with Groff is the shriveled seeds are irregular and hard to eat around. Varying in size from typical chicken tongue to tiny grains.

[Galatians522]

Thanks for doing these reviews, nice to have a straightforward survey and opinion.

I also like Groff, nice flavor, keeps well. Though my tastes are in the minority, preferring lychees with some acidity I find Kaimana to be a bit syrupy. After eating lots of Groff I get this building cherry candy flavor on the tongue.

My biggest complaint with Groff is the shriveled seeds are irregular and hard to eat around. Varying in size from typical chicken tongue to tiny grains.

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't know that I have the most refined taste buds, but I have eaten a lot of lychees over the years. We get a lot of mango taste reviews (which I enjoy reading) so I thought people might enjoy one for Lychees.

[Seanny]

Thank you for doing the reviews.
I appreciate the pictures too.