Dragon’s Eye Fruit or Longan, the Mythical Fruit that Cures Snake Bite

Longan, Also Known as Dragon’s Eye Fruit, Is The Favorite Fruit of Chinese Cuisine

Although there are 30,000 species of plants suitable for human consumption in the world, 90 percent of the foods are made from only 20 varieties.

That is why, I intend to introduce you as many exotic fruits as possible! I was lucky to try some unique fruits during my Asian journeys so you can have these pieces of information from first hand. You may have met an exotic fruit, the Snake Fruit in my recent article: Click here!

Now I Want to Introduce You to Another Special Fruit

Today’s plate has a very interesting fruit, known as longan or lungan, and is considered the little brother of the lychee. Its botanical name is recently found in Dimocarpus longan, but also Euphoria longan and Nephelium longan. It has long been known as a herb in Chinese and Eastern cultures, but almost no one in Europe knows it.

This Will Change a Bit Now!

It has a very distinctive aromatic taste and can be used in cuisine as it remains crunchy after cooking or steaming and does not lose its taste or even dominates the food. It is most commonly used in vegetable and meat dishes, but its preserved or dried form is equally common. Often it is even made into a liqueur. [1]

What Is Dragon’s Eye Fruit Good for?

The flesh of the fruit is suitable for the treatment of fever, is considered to be an anthelmintic and a strong anti-fungal agent. There are several times when snake bites are also cured with this because it can bind the poison. Also, it is often used for antiperspirants and bleeding. It has a beneficial effect on the skin as a soap.

Dragon eye fruit is a repository of vitamins and minerals as it contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Its fiber content is also outstanding.

Longan tree is most popular in subtropical Asia, where temperatures can reach freezing temperatures in winter. But the longan tree loves this weather and even needs it to flourish. The tree can reach up to 10-12 meters in height, its branches are thin and reach high. The bark of the tree is grayish brown and grubby. The flowers of the tree are greenish-white and open in bunches. Fruits also come in bunches and weigh up to several kilograms.

Why Is It Called Dragon’s Eye Fruit?

The fruit is called dragon eye because of its special appearance. I have also heard the name “eyeball”. The name might have been given because of it has an enormous eyeball-like core, hidden in the flesh.

A tan-yellow shell and an armor cover the fruits. The flesh is pearly and jelly-like. The touch of the dragon’s eye is very strange. It feels like if it were earthy or sandy a little bit. The cover easily surrenders. You can get the fruit without much dripping or nailing. It has a slightly moist surface, translucent, jelly, approx. cherry-sized formation. Dragon’s Eye smells like fresh hay rather than fruit.
If you would try to push your fingers into it, you will not be very successful. It bounces right away. However, you can easily bite into it. It is not too juicy, and in fact, contains almost no liquid. Its meat is slightly crunchy.

For me, it is more like a cherry, but more elastic. The size of the seed is twice the size of its useful part, though its deep red-purple color is well reflected on the glassy flesh. The taste is sweet and the fact that it has a rather unique aroma. Not bad, but I think I can come along without it.

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Do Not Forget!

It is worth noting some new rules when consuming a new exotic thing, to avoid unpleasant consequences.

1. First, try a little snake fruit to see if it tastes good at all. Start with smaller fruit. After all, it is not known how the body reacts to snake fruit.
2. Remember that all new foods are allergic or non-allergenic. can cause intolerance, so you should get to know things first.
3. Only eat fresh, ripe fruit. Immature fruit is not good for the stomach. Dirt and microbes get into the cracks of the fruit, which can cause poisoning.
4. Be sure to wash the snake fruit before eating. [2]

Sources:

[1] Longan, vagy másnéven Sárkányszem, a kínai konyha egyik kedvenc gyümölcse
[2] Salak, kígyó gyümölcs (La kham)