Amidst Mexico's rainy season, streets bustle between showers with the presence of sweet fruit from China, lychee. Unexpected by many visitors, this fruit finds its place on the seasonal grocery lists of Mexican households, having been cultivated for over a millennium.
The integration of lychee into the Mexican landscape traces back to the late 19th century when Chinese migrants, establishing roots in Sinaloa, introduced seeds from their homeland. Local narratives recount the gifting of these initial seeds to Sinaloa's governor, setting the stage for future cultivation. Commercial lychee farming, however, only began to develop in Mexico in the 1970s, quickly embedding itself into local traditions.
Currently, the lychee industry encompasses 13 Mexican states, including Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca. In 2023, data indicated a production of over 26,000 metric tons, primarily exported to North America. While in the U.S. market, lychee maintains premium pricing, its popularity continues to rise.
One U.S. market reviewer noted, "Not as sweet as last year's, but still the best I can find in the U.S. market. The season is short, just a few weeks. It is worth savoring while it lasts." The lychee's narrative in Mexico parallels migration histories, symbolizing transplanted roots and flavors crossing oceans.
Asian markets, from Los Angeles to Merida, highlight their exotic appeal and familiarity. Zhang Tieliu from the Chinese American Business Association shared this sentiment, reflecting on the longing for lychees in North America and stating, "Over the years, I dreamed of bringing this South China jewel of fruits to the American market." Technological progress in preservation and logistics has recently realized Zhang's vision, facilitating Guangdong lychees' entry into North America.
Cold-chain technology has propelled the global scope of lychee distribution, overcoming prior trade barriers. Techniques like pre-cooling enhance its international reach, allowing lychees from Maoming City, Guangdong province, to reach destinations like the Middle East and Europe within three days.
Despite variations in Mexican lychees today, for many, they remain a symbolic bridge between homes, fostering connections across continents. In Latin America, lychees stand as a luxury fruit outside Mexico, with mentions like "chirimoya china" in Panama denoting its origins and flavors. Meanwhile, Brazil's expanding hectares of lychee orchards underscore the fruit's growing appeal.
Source: China Daily
