Litchis have only just started arriving in the market. The deep-red, ripe and sweet litchis may not have appeared yet, and most of those on sale now may be only half-ripe and sour. Litchis are also very expensive.

Many people cannot tell ripe, sweet litchis when buying them. But there are some techniques that will help you choose. Here they are.

• Litchis come in different varieties and colours: red, orange or light brown. Red litchis attract everyone most, so look carefully at the skin when buying. Remember that good litchis always have a bright colour.
• Do not buy litchis that are too soft. They may be over-ripe, and most such litchis go bad.
• Ripe litchis have a sweet smell, which you can notice as soon as you hold one to your nose. You will not get the sweet smell from litchis treated with chemicals.
• Sometimes litchis are coloured red to attract buyers. After buying, soak them in water at home for about an hour. If colour comes out, you will know they are unripe litchis.
• Always buy deep-coloured litchis about an inch in size. Such litchis are mature.

• To spot spoiled or rotten litchis, check whether the skin is brown or spotted. Never buy litchis that are cracked or smell rotten.
• To test whether a litchi is good, peel it. If the skin comes off easily, it is ripe and sweet. If the skin does not peel easily, or the inside has brown spots, it may be spoiled.
• Do not buy litchis with a rotten top, as the inside will be bad too. Buy litchis that still have their stalks.
• Litchis ripen very quickly, so they are stored before they ripen. If you buy half-ripe litchis, storing them properly in the fridge will ripen them within 2–3 days.
• Never eat litchi seeds. They contain toxic substances, and eating them can cause various stomach problems.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.