The cheapest longans, from seedling trees, cab be one twentieth of the price asked for the best recognised cultivars. Lychees are harvested during early summer, longans during mid and late summer and rambutans, due to its many varieties, are available for much of the year with the main harvest in autumn. However, this colour change differs, not only among the three fruit, but almost as much among cultivars. The best practical test is to taste the fruit, which should be quite sweet. Commercially, there is pressure to harvest prematurely to obtain higher prices or to minimise losses to wildlife.
Fruit is harvested by cutting off the entire panicle.
Later lychees and rambutans are separated from the fruit stalk. Longans are best marketed on the fruitstalk, or they should at least retain a short piece of stem. Plucking the fruit during harvest results in skin tears and fruit left on the panicle keeps better. Lychee, longan and rambutan are premier dessert fruit and are usually eaten fresh. Lychee and rambutan appeal to most palates.