Litchi Season in India: A Delightful Summer Treat

Summer in India remains incomplete without litchis. It’s a small, delightfully juicy, aromatic, sweet fruit with a fragrance like no other. Its unique texture comes with a pleasurable experience. Due to all these wonderful factors, litchis are treasured eagerly during its short seasonal window. The litchi season brings joy to many fruit lovers across India because fresh, ripe litchis become readily available in the markets and offer a refreshing relief from the heat. In this article, you will learn all about the Litchi season.

Litchi Season in India: When Does It Begin?

The litchi season in India comes between May and lasts till July. The fruit itself grows effluently in warm, humid climates, making a perfect cultivation base in northern and eastern India. With its warm and humid climate, the northern and eastern parts of India are most favourable for the cultivation of litchis.

The litchi tree blooms from January to February, with the fruit ripe and ready to be consumed in early May. The month of June is when the majority of litchis are fresh, causing a peak in harvest across the entire country; however, during mid-July, the availability of fresh litchis declines.

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Major Litchi-Producing States in India

Litchi is produced a lot across the world, and India is one of the major producers of this fruit, coming second only to China. This mouthwatering fruit is grown in several states in India, but certain areas are more well-known for their quality.

Bihar, The Litchi Capital of mouthwatering

With litchi farms producing over 70per centt Shahi litchi, Muzaffarpur District is popular among tourists and has a GI tag. It is known for Shahi Litchi, while the rest of Bihar is known for the exceptionally juicy and aromatic litchis. Soils in Bihar, along with the climate, provide perfect conditions for agriculture that help litchis thrive.

West Bengal

West Bengal is another important litchi-producing state, with districts like Malda, Murshidabad, and Nadia known for their high-quality litchi. They are not as big but have the perfect sweetness with great taste.

Uttar Pradesh

Gorakhpur and Deoria regions of Uttar Pradesh are known for their excellent litchi production. They grow fruit with a rich sweetness and soft pulp.

Jharkhand

Jharkhand is known for the production of litchis, particularly in regions like Ranchi and Hazaribagh. Jharkhand litchis are famous for their freshness and rich taste.

Assam and Tripura

In northeastern India, particularly Assam and Tripura, litchi is grown extensively. The fruit produced here is well-liked in local markets due to its delicious taste.

Popular Varieties of Litchi in India

There are various litchi cultivars found in India, which also vary in taste, size and shape.

Shahi Litchi (Bihar)

• Dominates the unwilling title of the best litchi variety in India.
• It is very juicy and has a decorative shahi fragrance.
• Awarded GI tag because of its distinctiveness.

China Litchi (West Bengal & Bihar)

• One of the most commonly grown varieties.
• Larger in size with smooth skin and excellent sweetness.

Bombai Litchi (West Bengal)

• Grown primarily in Malda.
• Bright red skin with high juice content.

Rose Scented Litchi (Bihar)

• Has a distinct floral fragrance, giving it a unique appeal.

Early Bedana Litchi (Assam & Tripura)

• Available earlier in the season than most other varieties.
• Has a small seed or is seedless, offering more edible pulp.

Health Benefits of Litchi

More than just being a tasty treat, litchis provide amazing health benefits. They have a high amount of vitamin C, polyphenols, and other minerals that provide great nutritional value to the body.

How to Enjoy Litchi?

Besides straight-up eating glitch, there are many other ways to enjoy it.

Litchi Juice

Freshly squeezed litchi juice is a refreshing summer drink that helps beat the heat.

Litchi Ice Cream

You can make litchi ice cream, which is a cold treat liked by people of all ages!

Litchi Shakes and Smoothies

Litchi Shakes and Smoothies are another great option; you can blend litchi with milk or yoghurt to create a creamy and yummy drink.

Litchi Fruit Salads

Litchis improves both the sweetness and the juiciness of the fruit salads

Litchi Desserts

Litchi is used in cakes, puddings, and custards for a unique tropical flavour.

Litchi Squash and Syrup

Litchi syrup is very popular in mocktails and special refreshing drinks during the summer.

Challenges in Litchi Farming

As famous as litchi is, farming litchis in India has its own set of problems:

Climate Sensitivity

Temperature changes directly affect yields, which makes litchi farming very challenging.

Pest Attacks

Litchi is one of the crops that is very prone to infestation by insects and fruit borers.

Short Shelf Life

Litchi spoils quickly, requiring proper storage and transportation.

Market Fluctuations

Price variations can impact farmers’ profits, making it a risky crop.

Tips for Buying and Storing Litchi

How to Choose Fresh Litchi?

• Pick litchis that are bright red or pinkish
• The skin should be firm but flexible.
• Reject fruit that looks dried up or has black blemishes.

How to Store Litchi?

• For longer shelf life, keep the fruit in a refrigerator.
• Do not store them in plastic bags; instead, use a ventilated basket.
• The best taste is experienced after consuming 4-5 days after purchase.

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Conclusion

The litchi season in India is nothing short of exciting, serving as a great source of nutrition and sweetness for those who adore fruits. Seeing that litchi has a limited season; it is considered one of the most valuable summer fruits that can be savoured in its raw form or even cooked. Irrespective of how it is consumed, litchi surely makes summers better. Thus, the moment litchis are available in the market, ensure you purchase some and enjoy their delicious flavour before the season gets over!