The longan is believed to have been native to India and then taken to Southern China where it became a favorite fruit of the Chinese. You can see many old longan trees around Hawaii, originally brought by the Chinese.

Longans are usually eaten fresh but are also dried and canned. It is a delicious, juicy fruit with a very sweet and pleasant musky flavor.

It is a large spreading tree, which bears many clusters of golden-brown- skinned fruit at the ends of the branches. The juicy white fruit is about the same size as the lychee with one black shiny seed.

It does well in most areas of Hawaii below 2,000 feet if provided with abundant water. Fertilize regularly with a balanced type, until bearing (about three to five years in the ground). Then reduce nitrogen in the fertilizer mix to not more than 6 percent.

Longans are ripe late in the Summer and into the Fall months. Look for them from August to October. They tend to be somewhat erratic bearers, although some cultivars have more consistent bearing habits.

Some selected and named cultivars in Hawaii are 'Kohala,' 'Sri Champoo,' 'Illiau,' 'E Wai,' and 'Biew Kiew.' Kohala has proved to be the most erratic bearer in Hawaii. It produces best in South Florida locations. Sri Chompoo and Biew Kiew are proving to be the most consistant bearers throughout Hawaii. Research continues on this promising crop.