The longan seems to be the most loved of the many lichee-like fruits available in Thailand. The fruit comes in season a bit later than the lichee. Longans are small, almost spherical fruits with a mottled light brown to beige coloured skin. Like the lichee, the skin of a longan is thin and leathery.

The flesh is translucent, and the seed is large and black with a circular white spot at the base. This gives the illusion of an eye. The flesh has a musky, sweet taste, which can be compared to the flavour of lychee fruit.