家乡的龙眼

我的家乡——同安，自然条件优越，物产资源丰富。特别是家乡的龙眼更是饮誉中外。

Tongan, my hometown, has superior natural conditions and abundant natural resources. Longan, especially its hometown, is famous at home and abroad.

龙眼，因其八月成熟，八月又称桂月，且其果实呈球形，故又名桂圆。它还有其它名称，如“骊珠”、“燕卵”等。那么，同安人为什么称之为“龙眼”呢？据传，古时同安一位少年与恶龙搏斗，龙的眼珠掉在地上。不久，那地方就长出一棵树，树上结出了颗颗果子。后来，人们为纪念这位少年的功绩，就把树上结出的果子叫做“龙眼”。

Longan is also known as longan because it is mature in August, also called Guiyue in August, and its fruit is spherical. It also has other names, such as "Lizhu", "Yanqiu", etc. So, why do Tong'an people call it "longan"? It is said that in ancient times, a young man in Tong'an fought with the dragon, and the eyes of the Dragon fell to the ground. Before long, there was a tree growing in that place, and many fruits came out of it. Later, in order to commemorate the young man's achievements, people called the fruit from the tree "longan".

每到龙眼成熟的季节，龙眼树上就缀满了汤圆大小的淡黄色或褐色果子，累累果实压弯了枝条。远远望去，就像一座座镶满黄色珠子的绿叶帐篷，漂亮极了！

In the mature season of longan, the tree is covered with light yellow or brown fruits of the size of Tangyuan, and the branches are bent by the fruits. Looking from afar, it's like a green tent with yellow beads. It's very beautiful!

轻轻剥开龙眼的外壳，一股浓郁的香味扑鼻而来，让人垂涎欲滴。那嫩白而透明的果肉，像一颗颗无瑕的珍珠，使人急于品尝。放进嘴里一嚼，更是汁水四溅，香甜可口，令人百吃不厌。

Gently peel off the shell of longan, a strong fragrance pours in, making people salivate. The white and transparent flesh, like flawless pearls, makes people eager to taste. Put it into your mouth and chew it. It's juicy, sweet and delicious. It's not tiresome to eat.

龙眼味道鲜美，营养丰富，药用价值很高，因而被称为亚热带的“长寿水果”。明代的李时珍曾说过：“龙眼大补”，“资益以龙眼为良”。据科学家研究表明：龙眼的可溶性物质中，含葡萄糖24。91%，蔗糖0。22%，蛋白质5。6%。此外，还含有磷、钙、铁和多种维生素。龙眼具有开胃益脾、补血安神的功效，是用来治疗体虚贫血、神经衰弱的珍贵补品。

Longan is known as "longevity fruit" in subtropical zone because of its delicious taste, rich nutrition and high medicinal value. Li Shizhen of Ming Dynasty once said: "longan Dabu" and "longan is a good resource". According to the research of scientists, the soluble substance of longan contains glucose 24. 91%, sucrose 0. 22%, protein 5. 6%. In addition, it also contains phosphorus, calcium, iron and a variety of vitamins. Longan has the functions of appetizing the stomach, benefiting the spleen, nourishing the blood and calming the nerves. It is a precious tonic for the treatment of deficiency anemia and neurasthenia.

改革开放以来，许多有远见的同安农民承包了荒山，大量种植龙眼，同安已成为全国五大龙眼生产基地之一。家乡的龙眼为家乡人开辟了一条致富之路。

Since the reform and opening up, many farsighted farmers in Tong'an have contracted for barren mountains and planted longan in large quantities. Tong'an has become one of the five largest longan production bases in China. Longan in his hometown has opened up a way for his people to become rich.