Almost two years ago, when Active Rain was a baby social network and the members did a lot of playing in the "rain", the question was posed "What is a lychee".  At that time the secret captcha words were all fruits, so we knew lychee had to be a fruit, but few knew what they were.  I suspected I had been exposed to lychees but found they had an AKA (also known as) label of logans.   

The mystery of lychee has been solved for me as more and more exotic fruits have been imported to Minnesota grocery stores.  The picture shows "lychee nuts" as sold at our local grocer.  Since I'd only tasted canned lychees and logans (lychee AKA) which were already peeled and seeded, a purchase of this fruit was necessary.  I had to have the whole experience!

The central red shape in the picture is a whole lychee before peeling.  It was firm but could be squashed by stepping on it or crushing it.  The peelings proved to be leathery but thin requiring a poke with the thumbnail to begin the careful denuding process.  The peelings are on the left and above the white fruit in the picture.  The brown beetle looking thing to the right of the fruit is the seed found inside.  The actual fruit flesh is only about a quarter inch thick and has the consistency of a grape.  The taste is bland, almost blah, compared to other fruits I have experienced.  Once the surprise of the lychee's subtle taste was overcome, the fruit seemed more palatible.

If any old time rainers are still wondering about the lychee, check your local grocery store.  You just might find the elusive lychee on your shelves as well!