Litchis are a delicate fruit that can quickly perish if not stored properly. Their shelf life is very short, with the fruit beginning to change color and flavor just a day or two after purchase. Even when refrigerated immediately, litchis only remain fresh for about a week.
To extend their freshness, additional steps are necessary. Here are some tips on how to store litchis to keep them tasting their best for longer.
Select Ripe and Fresh Litchis
Start by choosing litchis that are freshly harvested and at their ripest. Look for litchis with a reddish-pink hue, smooth and unwrinkled skin, and open “eyes” (the small holes on the surface). Avoid litchis with brown or cracked skin, as these are likely older and more susceptible to bacterial growth.
If possible, taste a litchi to ensure it’s ripe. Ripe litchis are juicy and sweet, with a refreshing flavor. They should also have a natural, pleasant aroma.
Examine the stems to further assess freshness. Freshly harvested litchis will have green, fresh-looking stems with leaves still attached. Avoid litchis with dry, brittle, or blackened stems, which indicate older fruit.
You can also gently squeeze the litchis to check for ripeness. Ripe litchis will be soft and plump but not mushy.
Remove the Stems Before Storing
Once you’ve purchased your litchis, remove the stems. Detaching the litchis from their stems makes them easier to arrange in boxes or bags for storage, and it prevents the sharp stems from piercing and damaging neighboring litchis when stacked together.
Use scissors to cut the litchis from the stems, leaving a small portion of the stem intact to make peeling easier later on.
Pat the Litchis Dry
Litchis sold at outdoor markets are often sprayed with water to keep them looking fresh and prevent shriveling. However, this moisture can lead to rapid spoilage if the litchis are stored without drying.
Before storing your litchis, pat them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any excess surface moisture.
Wrap Litchis in Newspaper
Spread out a sheet of newspaper and arrange the litchis on it, then wrap them up. Divide the litchis into portions and wrap them into small bundles. Newspaper absorbs moisture well, helping to keep the litchis dry and prolonging their freshness. If newspaper is unavailable, you can use paper towels or kitchen roll instead.
Place Litchis in Airtight Bags or Containers
If you have a vacuum sealer, place the litchis in vacuum bags and remove the air to create an airtight seal. Otherwise, you can use the following method: Place the litchis in plastic bags or ziplock bags. Slowly lower the bag into a basin of water, holding the opening closed to prevent water from entering. The water pressure will force the air out of the bag, creating a vacuum effect. Once the bag has collapsed, securely tie or seal the opening to prevent air and water from re-entering.
Alternatively, you can place the litchis in airtight containers or boxes. If using boxes, consider using vacuum-sealed bags inside the boxes for added protection.
Store Litchis in the Refrigerator
Place the packaged litchis in the refrigerator’s cool compartment to extend their freshness. Stored this way, litchis can remain tasty and juicy for about a month. For longer-term storage, you can freeze the litchis. When ready to eat, simply remove them from the freezer and enjoy—they’ll have an ice cream-like texture. If you prefer softer litchis, let them thaw at room temperature for a bit before eating. Avoid leaving frozen litchis out for too long, as they’ll become mushy and watery.
