Tropical fruits of Réunion Island: lychee, Victoria pineapple and pitaya as patterns
Lychee, Victoria pineapple and pitaya are three tropical fruits people link to Réunion Island. What to know about each one, and the bags they inspired.
By Tropical Factory3 min read
Among the tropical fruits of Réunion Island, three hold a special place in our range: the lychee, the fruit of the end-of-year holidays, the Victoria pineapple, the island’s renowned small pineapple, and the pitaya, with its striking colours. Each one has given its name to a Tropical Factory bag made from recycled plastic bottles.
Here is what to know about these fruits, and about the bags they inspired.
The lychee, the holiday fruit
What to know
On Réunion Island, it is called letchi. According to the island’s official tourism website, it ripens in December and is served at Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations. A 2019 article by Outremers360 states that the Réunion lychee was awarded the Label rouge quality label in December 2012.
The Letchi bag
The Letchi bag captures the sweetness and intensity of the fruit, with pinks and bright reds that recall its juicy flesh and the sunny mood of the orchards. It is part of the Collab' collection, designed with an island illustrator, and comes as an XL classic (€29), S classic (€20) and pouch (€14), according to the product page at the time of writing.
Everything about this design: the Letchi bag.
The Victoria pineapple, the island’s small pineapple
What to know
The Victoria pineapple is small in size. According to the same 2019 Outremers360 article, it has held a Label rouge since 2006. You will find it at market stalls: France.fr lists it among the snacks available at the Saint-Paul street market.
The Victoria bag
The Victoria design pays tribute to the Victoria pineapple, a symbol of indulgence and freshness on Réunion Island. In this post’s photo you can see it as a large tote: a pineapple stands out against dunes and a sky in orange tones. It is offered as an XL classic (€29) according to the product page.
The pitaya, the brightly coloured fruit
What to know
The pitaya is a tropical fruit with vivid colours. It is that striking colour, more than the taste, that inspired our design.
The Pitaya bag
The Pitaya bag draws its energy from the fruit’s rich colours, a symbol of exoticism and vitality. Its bright colours and bold patterns, with pink and purple flowers, make it a great way to liven up an outfit. It is offered as an XL classic (€29) according to the product page.
Three fruits, three styles
| Design | Mood | Sizes listed |
|---|---|---|
| Letchi | Soft and sweet, pink and red | XL classic, S classic, pouch |
| Victoria | Warm and sunny, orange tones | XL classic |
| Pitaya | Bright and bold, pink and purple | XL classic |
If you cannot decide:
- for an end-of-year gift, the Letchi, the holiday fruit, is the obvious choice;
- for a sunny style, the Victoria;
- for a strong splash of colour, the Pitaya.
At the market, among the fruit
The best place to see these fruits in person is the market. At the Saint-Paul street market you will find both the exotic fruit stalls and the Tropical Factory stall, open on Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to noon. Our tips for making the most of it are in our post on the Saint-Paul street market.
A big fruity tote is also the perfect bag for carrying pineapples and lychees home.
More fruit and flowers in the range
Fruit is not the only inspiration for our designs. The island’s plants are everywhere too: the hibiscus of Zanzibar, the monstera leaves of Pink Monstera, the traveller’s tree of Ravenala and the lush greenery of Tropical.
FAQ
When is lychee season on Réunion Island?
According to the island’s official tourism website, the lychee ripens in December.
Why is the Victoria pineapple so well known?
The Victoria pineapple from Réunion Island has held a Label rouge since 2006, according to Outremers360.
Do the fruity bags come in insulated versions?
According to the product pages at the time of writing, Letchi, Victoria and Pitaya are offered in classic versions. For an insulated bag, see the insulated range.
