Ancient Feng Lychees

Ancient Feng Lychees

　　Ancient Feng lychees are renowned for their “small seeds, thick flesh, and sweet honey-like flavor.” With an annual production of over 1,800 tons, they are suitable for fresh consumption and processing, yet still in high demand. Two other rare varieties are Jiangkou lychees and Shatou ecological late-maturing lychees, produced respectively in Jiangkou Village, Taiping Town, Teng County, and Shatou Town, Cangwu. Because they ripen 7–10 days later than other lychees, they are even more precious.

　　 Among the fine varieties of lychees, historically known as the treasured fruit of the south, these are grown in towns such as Xindi, Dapo, Linshui, Guangping, Renhe, and Shatou. Varieties include Nuomici lychee, Rouge lychee, Jixin lychee, Zhuangyuanhong lychee, Yuxiuqiu lychee, Heiye lychee, and Dingxiang lychee. Among them, the Heiye lychee from the ancient village of Feng in the former Linshui Township enjoys widespread fame. According to the variety identification in the *Guangxi Lychee Chronicles*, “Ancient Feng lychees” belong to the “He lychee” type. They were introduced and planted by the ancestors of the people of Ancient Feng when they migrated from Guangdong during the ninth year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty (1376), and have a history of over 600 years. These lychees feature large fruits, thin skins, thick flesh, smooth texture, tiny seeds, and a sweet taste. Rich in protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins, they have long been regarded as a valuable tonic, effective in treating chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, asthma, cold stomach conditions, and hernia pain. Besides being eaten fresh, lychees can also be processed into dried lychees and canned lychees in syrup. The Ming Dynasty poet Dong Chuancai once praised Ancient Feng lychees in a poem: “The iron-tree sways, red seeds falling bright; / Cracking open, a crystal dragon in sight; / Amidst the tropic heat that stirs Sima’s thirst, / Half the nectar’s gone, my thirst now blessed.”