The other day I was at a local Korean market and saw a cardboard "tin"
if you will labeled only "LU PU." It was a pretty generic reddish
colored box, and there was really nothing else noteworthy on it besides
a picture of a woman in a yellow gown/dress. Web searches have turned
up nothing, and the other "tins" were different colors but similar and
said the name of the tea in English... ex: Jasmine Green in a green
box. But LU PU stumped me.

The other thing was in the herbal/tea section they had these packages
of about 6 bundles of little twigs, and the only thing the package said
was "Lichee Fructis." I am familiar with Lychee fruit and really enjoy
it, the little twigs seemed to have a crystaline substance on them
which I'm guessing was natural sugars. Any Idea what these are or are
used for? I didn't buy them because I had no idea what they truly were.
But if I could use them in cooking or preparing tea to add a lychee
flavor that would be pretty cool.

As always, thanks for your expertise and help.

- Dominic
Drinking: Bond Street Blend

Dominic T. wrote:
of about 6 bundles of little twigs, and the only thing the package said
was "Lichee Fructis." I am familiar with Lychee fruit and really enjoy
it, the little twigs seemed to have a crystaline substance on them
which I'm guessing was natural sugars. Any Idea what these are or are
used for? I didn't buy them because I had no idea what they truly were.
But if I could use them in cooking or preparing tea to add a lychee
flavor that would be pretty cool.

Probably preserved litchi in sugar, possibly in salt, and possibly with
salt and liquorice root. All are common "crackseed" items. Take a TINY
chunk and put it in your mouth. It's going to be strong, so don't take
a big wad.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Scott Dorsey wrote:
Probably preserved litchi in sugar, possibly in salt, and possibly with
salt and liquorice root. All are common "crackseed" items. Take a TINY
chunk and put it in your mouth. It's going to be strong, so don't take
a big wad.
--scott

I'm assuming it was natural sugars because under "ING" it only listed
"lichee." But again, I was a bit scared of it which is why I stayed
away... I'm normally pretty adventurous though and next time I'm there
I'll just bite the bullet and buy them. Could it be the stem/branch
from the Lychee? I wouldn't think there to be much flavor or sugars in
there. It was only like $4, I had figured (like with the LU PU) that
I'd go home and do a quick web search, figure it out, and go back and
buy them... however neither the twigs nor the LU PU was found online
anywhere.

- Dominic

Dominic T. wrote:

I'm assuming it was natural sugars because under "ING" it only listed
"lichee." But again, I was a bit scared of it which is why I stayed
away... I'm normally pretty adventurous though and next time I'm there
I'll just bite the bullet and buy them. Could it be the stem/branch
from the Lychee? I wouldn't think there to be much flavor or sugars in
there. It was only like $4, I had figured (like with the LU PU) that
I'd go home and do a quick web search, figure it out, and go back and
buy them... however neither the twigs nor the LU PU was found online
anywhere.

I doubt it, especially if "litchi fructus" is correct. Go and try it.

Ask the man behind the counter for "lee hing mui" or liquorice/salt
preserved plum. Very good.

I have no idea what LU PU is. Other than the wolf and the pianist, of course.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Scott Dorsey wrote:
I doubt it, especially if "litchi fructus" is correct. Go and try it.

Ask the man behind the counter for "lee hing mui" or liquorice/salt
preserved plum. Very good.

I have no idea what LU PU is. Other than the wolf and the pianist, of course.
--scott

mmm.. I love the preserved plums. They are a good time. I'm pretty
adventurous and with the exception of Durian Fruit (fresh, popsicle
form, or candy form... all terrible... not the king of fruits in my
eyes) I've always been able to at least slightly enjoy my random
unknown purchases. I found Haw Flakes that way, at first I thought they
were like mothballs, but then I translated the ingredients and saw the
symbol for sugar and knew they were edible. Now they are a favorite.
One time I bought longans instead of fresh lychees by mistake and that
was a bad time too. I will give the Lichee Fructis a shot.

I'm not sure if I was clear enough, the "LU PU" was a canister of tea.
I'm not sure if any bits of wolf or pianist were involved though...
I am kicking myself for not just buying it and seeing, but it was a bit
expensive and I was a bit low on cash. I'll go back this weekend and
pick it up. I was thinking someone here would know right away what it
was... at least I don't feel so dumb now.

- Dominic