Dragon fruit, also known as Pitahaya refers to the fruit of the genus Hylocereus cactus. The dragon fruit is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Florida, the Caribbean, Australia, and throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Dragon fruit comes in four varieties:
* Pink-skinned with white flesh and tiny black seeds
* Pink-skinned with red flesh and tiny black seeds
* Pink-skinned with purple/pink flesh and tiny black seeds
* Yellow-skinned with white flesh and tiny black seeds
The red and purple colors of Hylocereus fruits are due to betacyanins, a family of pigments that includes betanin, the same substance that gives beets, Swiss chard, and amaranth their red color.
The Dragon fruit's texture is similar to kiwifruit because of its black, crunchy seeds. Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color juices and alcoholic beverages. The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea.
Nutrient Profile
Dragon fruit is loaded with fiber making it a good choice when managing your weight (fiber fills you up) as well as aiding in digestion as it promotes a healthy gut. One of the few fruits that contain iron, dragon fruit can help to raise iron levels—and when in combination with vitamin C, it increases the absorption rate of iron.
The fruit contains several antioxidants (betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids). The seed oil contains fatty acids, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid.
The fruit contains several antioxidants (betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids). The seed oil contains fatty acids, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid.
How to Select, Prepare and Serve Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is usually eaten raw, whether served cut up, blended, or frozen. You can choose to grill it on skewers along with other fruits.
1. Select a ripe fruit with bright red, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when squeezed.
2. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board or another clean surface.
3. Use a sharp knife and cut down the middle. The fruit it then separated into two sections.
4. Removing the flesh. The skin is not edible. Run a spoon around the circumference of each section to separate the flesh from the skin. Using a spoon, lift the flesh out of the skin and place it on the cutting board.
5. Reserve the skin for serving (optional)
6. Check the flesh for any residual pink skin. If there is any skin, cut it off.
7. The dragon fruit is ready to be sliced, diced, or eaten right out of the fruit.
2. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board or another clean surface.
3. Use a sharp knife and cut down the middle. The fruit it then separated into two sections.
4. Removing the flesh. The skin is not edible. Run a spoon around the circumference of each section to separate the flesh from the skin. Using a spoon, lift the flesh out of the skin and place it on the cutting board.
5. Reserve the skin for serving (optional)
6. Check the flesh for any residual pink skin. If there is any skin, cut it off.
7. The dragon fruit is ready to be sliced, diced, or eaten right out of the fruit.
Storage
Ripe dragon fruit can sit on the counter for a few days. To store longer place the fruit in a sealed plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator.
Don't cut the dragon fruit until ready to eat it. Once cut, it needs to be refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. It can stay fresh for a day, possibly a little longer, depending on how ripe it is. Once the flesh begins to turn brown and get mushy, it's time to throw it out.
For the Home Growers
The Green Thumb Planet has prepared an easy to follow description on How to Grow Dragon Fruit Indoors
The Green Thumb Planet has prepared an easy to follow description on How to Grow Dragon Fruit Indoors
The dragon fruit flowers bloom only at night and for a few hours. The plants can flower between three to six times in a year depending on growing conditions. About 30 to 50 days after flowering, the dragon fruit will sit on the cactus and can sometimes have 5 to 6 cycles of harvests per year. Hylocereus has adjusted to living in a dry tropical climate with a moderate amount of rain.
Dragon Fruit Recipes
Dragon Fruit Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 cup Fresh pineapple cubed
1 cup Fresh orange cubed
½ cup Fresh mango cubed
½ cup Blueberries
½ cup Dragon Fruit cubed (use 2 dragon fruits and reserve skin for serving)
½ cup Kiwi sliced
½ cup Raspberry vinaigrette dressing
1 Tbsp Lime juice
1 Star Fruit sliced, for garnish
Directions
1. When preparing the dragon fruit reserve the skin for serving.
1. When preparing the dragon fruit reserve the skin for serving.
2. Cut up pineapple, orange, mango, dragon fruit, and kiwi. Place in a bowl. Add blueberries.
3. Add raspberry vinaigrette dressings.
4. Mix gently, adding fresh lime juice.
5. Place the fruit mixture in the dragon fruit skin.
5. Place the fruit mixture in the dragon fruit skin.
6. Adding slices of star fruit as a garnish.
Exotic Skewer
Cut up your favorite fruits and place them on a skewer. Eat fresh or grill.
Directions
1. Cut the fruit into desired shapes.
2. Thread the fruit through the skewers alternating the fruit.
3. Grilling: Double skewer so the fruit does not fall off. Place on a lightly oiled grill to prevent sticking and cook for 2 minutes or refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Serve hot or cold.
3. Grilling: Double skewer so the fruit does not fall off. Place on a lightly oiled grill to prevent sticking and cook for 2 minutes or refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Serve hot or cold.
References.
1. What Is Dragon Fruit? Spruce Eats
1. What Is Dragon Fruit? Spruce Eats
2. What Is Dragon Fruit And Does It Have Health Benefits? by Franziska Spritzler, RDN, CDE, Healthline
3. Pitaya, Wikipedia
4. How to Grow Dragon Fruit Indoors, The Green Thumb Planet