Buy what fruitsWhat's in season at Singapore fruit stalls, and which country to look for.

Longan

龙眼 · longan

Longan in October (this month)

No fresh crop this month

Best option: Thailand, Vietnam, China, from storage or late season.

ThailandVietnamChinaTaiwanAustralia
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Stored or late season (3)
TH
ThailandChiang Mai, Lamphun, Chanthaburi
Stored
E-Daw, Biew Kiew
About 3 months since harvest
Northern crop Jul–Aug and off-season Chanthaburi crop Nov–Feb, so Thai longan is around all year.
VN
VietnamHung Yen, Mekong Delta
Stored
Long nhan Hung Yen, Xuong Com Vang
About 3 months since harvest
Main crop Jul–Sep.
CN
ChinaGuangdong, Fujian
Stored
Shixia, Chuliang
About 3 months since harvest
Jul–Sep. Shixia is small with crisp, sweet flesh.
Skip this month (2)
TW
TaiwanTainan
Off season
Fenke
Not shipping now
A short Aug–Sep season, mostly used locally or dried.
AU
AustraliaQueensland
Off season
Kohala, Biew Kiew
Not shipping now
Jan–Apr. A small crop that fills in when Asian longan is between seasons.

How to pick at the shelf

  • SkinLight brown, dry and unbroken.
  • FeelFirm, not soft or squashy.
  • StemsFresh, not blackened.
  • SmellSweet, with no sour or chemical smell.

At home

KeepFridge
Lasts5–7 days

Keep the bunch in a loosely tied bag to stop the skins drying out.

Buying tips (3)
  • Asian longan peaks Jul–Sep. Thailand's off-season crop and Australia cover the rest of the year.
  • Pick bunches with firm, dry, light-brown skins. Dark patches or a sour smell mean they're past their best.
  • Longan is often treated with sulphur dioxide for shipping. Rinse well, and avoid any with a sharp chemical smell.

Common questions

When is longan season in Singapore?
Thailand: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb; Vietnam: Jul–Sep; China: Jul–Sep; Taiwan: Aug–Sep; Australia: Jan–Mar. Fresh-crop months by origin.
Which country's longan is best in October?
Only stored fruit is available: Thailand, Vietnam, China.
How do I pick a ripe longan?
Skin: Light brown, dry and unbroken. Feel: Firm, not soft or squashy. Stems: Fresh, not blackened. Smell: Sweet, with no sour or chemical smell.
How should I store longan?
Fridge. Lasts 5–7 days. Keep the bunch in a loosely tied bag to stop the skins drying out.

More from these origins