The Perilous Journey of Litchi: A Fruit More Elusive than Heaven
The transportation of litchi in ancient times was a daunting task, mainly due to the underdeveloped preservation technology and the long distance between the production and consumption areas. To keep litchi fresh, ancient people tried various methods, including isolating oxygen, storing them in sealed containers with water, and even cutting down the entire tree and transporting it via waterways. In some cases, litchi were picked before they were ripe and transported to the imperial court, where they would be consumed by the emperor and his family.