Longans are natives of Southeast Asia and related to lychees and rambutans. Growing up in the Philippines, we ate longans like candy (but longans are much better for you). Like lychees, the fruit is sweet and succulent, but they are a little smaller and the sweetness is a little drier. They’re eaten fresh and also used soups, snacks, desserts, and sweet-and-sour foods. They’re also easy to eat — just peel off the smooth skin to get to the fruit, then eat it like a cherry, removing the seed. It better to wait until just before serving to peel the fruit.  […]