"Litchi is everywhere in Licheng", and "Licheng" Putian is rich in litchi. Litchi, longan and loquat in Putian are also called "three famous fruits" and are well-known at home and abroad. Su Dongpo's description of the delicious litchi makes people drool. Compared with litchi in Zhangzhou and Guangdong, litchi produced in Putian is the best among the best. Its shape is conical, the skin is redder, the thorns are sharper, and the flesh is crystal clear and juicy, sweeter and smoother. Peel an authentic local litchi fruit in Putian and put it in your mouth, which will make you feel full of saliva and double your spirit. Not to mention the rich nutrition of pulp, tasting itself is an excellent enjoyment.
I have been attached to litchi for a long time, and my feelings are particularly deep. My hometown Xindu is a big town that grows litchi. Litchi trees are mostly planted along the river bank. When the foliage is flourishing, the crown of the tree covers the water surface, forming a long arc-shaped green belt. When hanging fruit, this "jade belt" is covered with rubies, which is really beautiful. When I was in middle school, every time litchi was about to mature and it coincided with the summer vacation, I was sent by my father to protect the contracted litchi trees under the tree to prevent fruit thieves from stealing.
Litchi forest is by the river in the village. Build a simple bamboo shed under the tree, even if it is a "sentry box", I will take care of dozens of litchi trees. At that time, litchi was very expensive and could be sold for seven or eight yuan a catty. The focus of prevention is at night. Experienced fruit thieves will take advantage of the dead of night, carry a big bag and climb trees naked. It is said that naked people can accurately judge the position of litchi fruit through the feeling that the skin is stung by the peel. If you don't turn on the flashlight, it is not easy for the fruit keeper to find it.
Keeping lychee is not a heavy job, that is, you can't play with your friends everywhere, and you have less freedom. But it was fun. You can read in the shade during the day, which is very cool. Sometimes, I will hide under a tree, pretend to be unprepared, and play the game of police catching thieves. I can enjoy a summer vacation to eat litchi, and I can know which litchi is sweeter, and I can judge whether the stone of that litchi fruit is big or small from its appearance.
When Putian litchi is ripe, it is also a season with frequent typhoons and rainstorms. It's distressing to see the litchi fruit that can't be picked in time blown off by the strong wind. Scratched fruit, exposed to heavy rain and scorching sun, will rot on the tree and fall to the ground. On the day of the summer solar term, according to the local customs in Putian, the whole family will get together for a big meal, in which litchi is essential, no matter how expensive.
There are many kinds of fruits now, and there are not a few that are out of season. Fruits from Taiwan Province Province and abroad are easy to buy in supermarkets, and most of them are cheap. However, I still love litchi, the red Putian litchi.