"Zengcheng Guailv" Lychee

"Zengcheng Guailv" Lychee

The "Zengcheng Guailv" lychee is a protected geographical indication product.

　　The "Zengcheng Guailv" lychee, a national geographical indication product, is one of the finest varieties of lychee, primarily produced in Zengcheng, Guangdong. The "Zengcheng Guailv" has a shell that is red with hints of green—about 40% green and 60% red. Each lychee features especially crisp and juicy flesh that is sweet and lightly fragrant, with outstanding quality. The fruit is also quite resistant to storage. Due to the exceptional rarity and value of the Guailv lychee, in 2001, at an auction of rare Guailv fruits held in Guailv Square, a single "Xiyuan Guailv" lychee was sold for a staggering 550,000 RMB, making it the most expensive fruit in the world at the time and breaking a Guinness World Record.

　　Key characteristics of the Zengcheng Guailv lychee: It grows vigorously, with branches that have relatively sparse and brittle internodes; the leaves are lanceolate, tapering to a point; the fruit is nearly oval or round, weighing between 14.4–29.5 grams per piece, with a dark red skin marked with green streaks; the flesh is white-wax colored, crisp in texture, sweet with a light fragrance; the edible rate is 61.5%–76.9%, soluble solids content is 17%–21%, and acid content is 0.15–0.34 grams per 100 milliliters; the fruit matures from late June to early July.

　　Regional uniqueness of the product: Zengcheng is a hilly area, where the mountain soils are mainly lateritic red soil and red-yellow soil, rich in nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus, making it particularly suitable for the growth of lychee fruit. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the region, and Zengcheng lies in the southern subtropical zone, featuring a maritime monsoon climate. The low temperatures and dry conditions in winter and early spring are conducive to lychee flower bud differentiation, while the high temperatures and abundant rainfall in late spring and summer are especially favorable for flowering, fruiting, and nutrient accumulation. This unique geographical environment provides optimal growing conditions for Zengcheng lychees, resulting in fruit that is sweet, refreshing, and distinctive. It is one of the most characteristic and renowned traditional premium agricultural products, enjoying extremely high recognition in the Pearl River Delta region.

　　Processing characteristics: 1. Lychee Banquets. Using lychees as an ingredient in cooking—whether fried, stir-fried, boiled, or deep-fried—adds a unique highlight during lychee season. In Zengcheng, many restaurants and star-rated hotels offer elaborately prepared lychee banquets during the season, featuring dozens of varieties. These include high-end dishes and desserts made with premium seafood and mountain delicacies, as well as special dishes that combine lychees with local Zengcheng specialties. 2. Dried Lychees. The practice of processing fresh Zengcheng lychees into dried fruit has a long history. The finished product has thick flesh, a sweet and fragrant taste, and is rich in nutrients. It helps nourish blood and spleen, and has long been favored both as a personal treat and as a gift. Dried lychees are sold widely in domestic and international markets.