Longan

Longane

What it is

Its Chinese name, longyan, means dragon eye: peel one and a ring of translucent flesh stares back around a black seed. Dried, it darkens and turns smoky-sweet, at which point it leaves the fruit bowl for the stockpot and the pharmacy drawer.

In the kitchen

Dried longan wants twenty minutes of soaking and then a slow simmer: it releases its sweetness into a broth without scorching. Fresh, shake the bunch — a rattle means the flesh has shrunk away from the shell and the fruit is a week too old.

Goes with

Ginger Goji berry Jujube Lotus seed Snow fungus Chicken Fresh ginseng Rice

In season alongside

Williams pear Angelica Cantaloupe melon Fig Greengage Honeycomb

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