LIKE mangoes, luscious litchis are another flavorsome and delicious fruit that makes an appearance during summer and has started arriving in markets of twin cities, Bhilai and Durg. Even though litchis have arrived in city market, but there are few takers and the reason is that the fruits lacks it original sweetness.

Due to its customary features litchi has great demand in the city and is presently sold at Rs 200-220 per kg. Rajesh Verma a customer purchasing litchi from a fruit vendor at Jawahar market Power House said, “litchis have arrived quite early this year in the city so are smaller than the normal size this might be because they have been harvested

prematurely. Normally, they reach the city market in May end but it has arrived much earlier this year so the real taste and size is missing. However, still as it is a seasonal fruit and my kids love to eat litchis I have purchased it, candidly said Rajesh.

“Litchis may be eaten as fruit or used to make delicious sherbet, squash, pudding ice cream, and fruit salad. It’s important for urban consumers to experience the taste of real fruit instead of junk foods,” said another customer.

On the other hand, local vendor Guddu Chaudhary has informed that usually the fruits get destroyed within two

or three days of plucking if not preserved properly, so the price is little high. But by end of this month, they are expecting the good varieties of litchis will arrive in the market. Summer maybe dreaded due to unscheduled power cut and soaring temperatures, but the season is incomplete without the aroma of naturally ripened litchis and their sweet taste. The fruit is about the size of a small plum and has a red, leathery peel that gives way to flesh that’s sweet, juicy and translucent. Customers seemed to be enjoying the fruit despite the sweltering heat and high prize.