Easily one of boba's most notable flavors, lychee has experienced a surge in popularity on social media for its unique flavor and visual aesthetic, but this little fruit has a history stretching back thousands of years. While native to Southeast Asia, lychee trees also thrive in South Africa and certain American states (like Florida), where the weather is hot. You might be familiar with lychees, might even overload your pantry in the months when lychees are harvested.
The latter applies to lychees, which don't tend to be a common sight in the produce aisle. The unique taste of lychees stands up exceptionally well to the canning process. Often described as a cross between strawberry and pear with floral notes, this flavor is also captured in the canning syrup. So once you've used the fruit pieces in lychee cocktails, cakes, or for snacking, you can keep the lychee-flavored desserts coming with the leftover juice.
