How Much Did Dried Longan Cost per Jin in 2018 and How Does It Compare Nutritionally with Fresh Longan

Dried longan is a fairly common nutritional product, rich in nutrients, and therefore quite popular. However, because dried longan has a very short shelf life, generally spoiling within one to one and a half years, it is best to buy freshly dried ones for consumption. So how much did dried longan cost per jin in 2018? And which is more nutritious, dried or fresh longan?

Latest 2018 dried longan prices:

Generally speaking, places like Guangdong and Fujian are major longan-producing areas, so dried longan prices there are usually not expensive, and you can buy it for just a few yuan per jin. Dried longan bought online in larger quantities varies somewhat in price depending on the place of origin, with online dried longan prices ranging from 20 yuan/jin to 50 yuan/jin.

Differences from fresh longan:

1. Price

Longan is mainly divided into two types: dried longan and fresh longan. Dried longan is actually made by sun-drying and processing fresh longan; they are the same thing, that is, longan. Fresh longan costs about 4 to 6 yuan per jin, while dried longan costs about 12 yuan per jin.

In the eyes of Cantonese people, dried longan and fresh longan are two completely different things. Why? Because dried longan is a type of medicinal material that can boost qi and nourish blood, calm the mind and soothe the nerves, and help people fall asleep; it is a tonic that is nourishing yet not cloying. Fresh longan, on the other hand, is a type of fruit. Although it is sweet and delicious, it easily causes internal heat, just like lychee.

Dried longan weighs less than fresh longan because the moisture in dried longan has basically evaporated. The flesh of fresh longan is translucent white and juicy, while the flesh of dried longan is dark brown. Fresh longan flesh tastes sweet and juicy, while dried longan tastes somewhat like brown sugar, with a texture a bit like soft candy. Dried longan can be used to make soup, cook dishes, or brew tea, while fresh longan is generally eaten directly. Fresh longan is more likely to cause internal heat than dried longan; dried longan is a bit milder.

2. Effects

Longan has many effects: nourishing blood, boosting qi, calming the mind, and so on. Longan can be eaten directly, but steeping it in water also has a special charm; red date and longan tea is one such way to eat it.

First, wash the red dates, cut them in half with a small knife, remove the pits, remove the shells and pits from the longan, and then wash both medicinal ingredients clean.

Next, put the red dates, longan, and rock sugar into a pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then switch to low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the water is reduced and almost dry. Keep it on low heat while cooking, stir with a spoon in the pot to mash the dates into date paste, and at the same time reduce the released water until dry.

Finally, let the cooked dates cool, pour in honey and mix well, then put them into a clean glass jar and seal for storage. When you want to drink it, take it out and mix it with warm boiled water before drinking.

The main effect of longan is to nourish blood and boost qi. Although longan water has many benefits, drinking too much will still easily cause internal heat, so be careful.