The Longan (Dimocarpus longan; 龍眼, in Pinyin lóngyǎn, in Cantonese long-ngan, meaning "dragon eyes") is an evergreen tree in the soapberry family Sapindaceae, native to southeast Asia from southern China south to Indonesia.

The fruit is edible, and is often used in East Asian soups, snacks, desserts, and sweet-and-sour foods. They are round with a thin, brown-coloured inedible shell. The flesh of the fruit, which surrounds a big, black seed, is white, soft, and juicy.

Longans and lychees come out in around the same time of the year. Dried longan (a.k.a. 圓肉, in Pinyin yuánròu; lit. round meat) are often used in Chinese food therapy and herbal medicine. It is considered to possess a nourishing property.

See also

• Akee
• Lychee
• Mamoncillo
• Rambutan
• List of fruits

Longans are not to be confused with loganberries.

External links

• Fruits of Warm Climates: Longan
• Know and Enjoy Tropical Fruit: Lychee, Rambutan & Longan
• Dimocarpus longan (Sapindaceae)