The Litchi is a very delicious and exotic fruit of India. Shahi Litchi is the best variety of litchi in India and is grown exclusively in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. It contains Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose and Malic acid. In addition to this, Litchi contains phosphorus, which is not found in any other fruit in the world, phosporus activates the brain.
The fruit is a drupe 3-4cm long and 3cm in diameter. The outside is covered by a pink-red, roughly-textured rind that is inedible but easily removed. They are eaten in many different dessert dishes. The inside consists of a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh, rich in vitamin C with a texture somewhat similar to that of a grape only much less moist. The edible flesh consists of a highly developed aril enveloping the seed.
About 70 percent of all litchis produced in India are grown in Bihar. The number of farmers in the state growing litchis has increased in the last decade, especially in Muzaffarpur district. But in a recent report, the World Bank noted that litchis good enough for export were being grown in only about 10 percent of the 2,000-odd orchards in Muzaffarpur.
Vivekk
Well said Ravi!
Though litchi has all necessary minerals, it isn’t much recognized outside Bihar. Also, I have talked to the farmers couple of times but their ignorance of marketing and reach has pretty much localized this fruit.
I hope people will be more aware of it through this post and some effective action will be taken for the benefit of both the consumers and the producers.