Most people are only familiar with lychee as an item on the dessert menu at Chinese restaurants. Often erroneously called 'lychee nuts', the fruit is indigenous to China and popular for snacking or desserts. On the tree, the lychee is protected by a bumpy, leathery rind that is inedible. This rind easily comes away from the juicy flesh of the fruit, which is translucent and a pearly white color. It is sweet and crispy, and wonderful to eat fresh... Better yet, in a martini!!