The pitaya or dragon fruit is visually stunning with health benefits (vitamins, prebiotics, fiber, antioxidants). Before you go out and buy one to put in your smoothie, let’s discuss what it tastes like.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
When ripe, Dragon fruit is mildly sweet and has a texture similar to ripe KiwiKiwi. Dragon fruit that is not ripe has no flavor.
Dragon fruit is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. It’s a cactus. Each fruit begins as a single flower that blooms in the darkness. Dragon fruit comes in many colors. You may have seen the hot pink dragon fruit with white flesh inside. However, the fruit can be pink inside and outside or yellow and white. All of them have edible, tiny black seeds similar to KiwiKiwi.
Cacti are covered in thorns, and the dragonfruit plant is no different. It has thorns all over its branches. Only the yellow fruit has thorns, and these are easily removed.
How do you know when dragon fruit is ripe?
We’ll concentrate on the pink-skinned variety, as it is the most common in the U.S. It is picked when the fruit is under-ripe to make shipping easier. The fruit will be firmer, won’t bruise, and won’t spoil during transport.
The pink-fleshed variety is sweeter than its white counterpart. The sticker of the grower should show the color of the flesh. If you can’t tell by size or shape, the pink-fleshed fruit has short wings on the outside (the petals-shaped pieces), while the white-fleshed fruit is long and elongated.
Look for a fruit that’s heavy for its size. (Pick up several to see the difference.) This will be the most juicy fruit. The fruit should have a consistent pink color outside with no bruises. When ripe, dragon fruit can be a little firm but will yield to your thumb pressure when squeezed. It is similar to a ripe Avocado. Dragon fruit ripens when its wings turn yellow and some even brown. You can eat them when they are grown.
How to Peel and Slice Dragon Fruit
Slice dragon fruit into half and eat it like a watermelon baby slice. The rind should still be on.
If you’d like to cut it into slices and serve them in a smoothie, use a paring blade to remove the rind carefully. You can also scoop the interior with a teaspoon and then slice it.
How do you eat dragon fruit?
Eating it out of the peel is best when it is soft and ripe. Dragon fruit can still be used for fruit salads even when ripe. It can also be cut into cubes or slices to keep its shape. Dragon fruit is popular in drinks like margaritas, smoothies, and other beverages. You can purchase bags of dragon fruit frozen, either cubed or pureed. This will ensure you get the red fruit. You can find them in Hispanic markets.
Dragon fruit is good for you?
Yes, it is. The vitamins C and B are found in dragon fruit. The seeds are more potent than the flesh. The natural bacteria in the gut can break down dragon fruit seeds’ fibrous shells and unlock the prebiotic benefits.
Dragon Fruit Recipes
Healthy Dragon Fruit Waldorf Salad
This new twist on a classic salad adds a sweet taste to the dragon fruit with grapes, apples, and honey.
Frozen Dragon Fruit Margarita
The recipe is easy: frozen dragonfruit puree can be found at Hispanic supermarkets. It takes only 5 minutes to prepare.