Description

Lychee Squash (also cordial) is a highly-sweetened lychee fruit-based concentrate which is mixed with a liquid, most commonly water or seltzer, before drinking. Squashes and cordials are common all over the world, and have a large market share in competition with fruit juices and soft drinks.

Typically, squash is created by mixing one part concentrate with four or five parts water. The percentage of fruit in the concerntrate varies s per the brand. The juice of fully ripe lychees is extracted and the fiber and seeds are removed. The required proportions of water, sugar and citric acid are added and heated on slow fire till the sugar dissolves. Then the syrup is filtered, cooled and mixed with food grade color, essence and preservative.

How to select

There are many brands of Lychee squash available in the market and can be chosen as per preferred specifications. If you wish to prepare lychee squash at home, then you would need to look for ripe, seasonal lychees without any blemishes on the skin.

Culinary uses

· Lychee squash are usually used to make refreshing summer drinks by adding 1 part of squash with 4 parts of chilled water.
· The squash may be added to milk to make milk shakes or added to yoghurt/cream to make flavored lassi or lychee smoothies.
· Lychee squash can be added to cocktails, ice creams and even iced teas for their distinct flavor and taste.

How to store

Lychee squash should be stored in glass bottles and can be used upto six months from the date of manufacturing.
Health benefits
· Lychees are supposed to rich in fiber, sugar, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
· However, since the squash does not use too much of fresh juice, it serves more as a cooling drink than a healthy beverage.