Dragon Fruit Varieties
- Hylocereus undatus (dragon fruit red skin and white flesh)
- Hylocereus polyrhizus ( (dragon fruit red meat red skin)
- Hylocereus costaricensis (dragon fruit red skin super red meat)
- Selenicereus megalanthus (dragon fruit yellow skin and white flesh)
- dragon fruit classification and morphology
How can you tell if dragon fruit is bad?
- Once the color of the fruit has changed from green to yellow or red, then it is ready to harvest.
- The small leaves on the sides of the fruit (also known as the “wings”) will also start to fade or turn brown as the fruit ripens.
- You can also determine the ripeness by counting the days after the plant flowers. ...
What is dragon fruit and does it have health benefits?
What Is Dragon Fruit and Does It Have Health Benefits?
- Nutrition Facts. Dragon fruit contains small amounts of several nutrients. ...
- Provides Several Antioxidants. Dragon fruit contains several types of antioxidants. ...
- Potential Health Benefits. Animal studies suggest that dragon fruit may provide various health benefits. ...
- Adverse Effects. Overall, dragon fruit appears to be safe. ...
- The Bottom Line. ...
What are the benefits of eating dragon fruit?
The benefits of eating dragon fruit
- Fiber. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of fiber, Ilic says. ...
- Nutrients. Carotenoids (may reduce cancer risk). Lycopene (may improve heart health and reduce cancer risk). ...
- Improves gut health. Healthy bacteria in your gut may help digestion and even reduce colon cancer risk. ...
Does dragon fruit have any health benefits?
What Benefits Do Dragon Fruit Have?
- High in Nutrients. Share on Pinterest.
- May Help Fight Chronic Disease.
- Loaded With Fiber.
- Promotes a Healthy Gut.
- Strengthens Your Immune System.
- May Boost Low Iron Levels.
- Good Source of Magnesium.
What fruit classification is a dragon fruit?
It is used both as an ornamental vine and as a fruit crop - the pitahaya or dragon fruit....Selenicereus undatusOrder:CaryophyllalesFamily:CactaceaeSubfamily:CactoideaeGenus:Selenicereus13 more rows
Is dragon fruit a berry?
Only a pollinated flower yields a dragon fruit, a fleshy berry with leathery, scaled skin. The dragon fruit most commonly seen in US grocery stores, H. undatus, has a reddish exterior and white pulp dotted with a multitude of tiny seeds.
What family is dragon fruit in?
CactusWhite-fleshed pitahaya / FamilyA cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word cactus derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek word κάκτος, a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. Wikipedia
Are dragon fruits citrus fruits?
The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is not citrus. It is a tropical fruit that belongs to the climbing cacti (Cactaceae) family. Widely cultivated in Vietnam, the fruit is popular in Southeast Asia. The dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus.
Is dragon fruit considered a melon?
“Dragon fruit, which is also known as strawberry pear or pitaya, is a tropical fruit that grows on a plant that's technically a type of cactus,” explains Kelli McGrane, RD, a nutritionist for the food tracking app Lose It!.
Is dragon fruit a Pepo?
The Fruit is classified as a pepo – a false berry. It is related to cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe. Think rind (green) and a fleshy center.
Is dragon fruit part of the pineapple family?
The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is a tropical fruit that belongs to the climbing cacti (Cactaceae) family.
Is dragon fruit a tropical fruit?
“It's a tropical fruit that comes from a cactus. It's available everywhere around the world, but it's indigenous to Mexico and South America,” Ilic notes.
Does dragon fruit make you poop?
Packed with prebiotics to promote a healthy gut. Prebiotics enhance digestion and your immune system to lower your risk of intestinal infections and to keep you more regular. Good for your daily poops, too!
What is non citrus fruits?
Fruits that are not from the citrus family include apples, pears, watermelon, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, melons, bananas, kiwi and more. Image Credit: Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images. You don't need to ask for lemon or lime with your water at most restaurants these days — it's just served that way.
How healthy is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which are good for your immune system. It can boost your iron levels. Iron is important for moving oxygen through your body and giving you energy, and dragon fruit has iron. And the vitamin C in dragon fruit helps your body take in and use the iron.
What are the side effects of dragon fruit?
Are There Known Side Effects of Dragon Fruit? The good news is that there don't appear to be any side effects or health risks associated with eating dragon fruit. Even so, if you eat dragon fruit and develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop eating the fruit immediately.
Is a Dragon Fruit Sweet or Sour? What to Expect From Its Taste
Given dragon fruit’s unique appearance, you might hesitate to give it a try. But don’t let its spiky strangeness scare you. Dragon fruit will likely agree with your palate if you prefer sweet-tasting, rather than sour, fruit.
What Are the Different Varieties of Dragon Fruit?
There are different types of dragon fruit. The three main ones include: (1)
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What Are the Nutrition Facts of Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit boasts several nutrients and vitamins for better health, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate guidelines.
What Are the Benefits of Dragon Fruit?
Because dragon fruit is full of vitamins and nutrients, and offers potentially disease-fighting antioxidants, it probably come as no surprise that eating this fruit on a regular basis can have a positive influence on your health and wellness.
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How to Select and Store Dragon Fruit for the Best Taste
There’s a good chance you’ve sidestepped dragon fruit for the familiar apple or orange when picking up produce at the grocery store. Selecting exotic fruit may seem intimidating. Where do you buy dragon fruit? How do you know if it's ripe? How do you store it?
What Is Dragon Fruit, Exactly?
Dragon fruit gets its name for its pointy scales that resemble a dragon (or some might say an artichoke). Most commonly, dragon fruit has a pink skin and a white flesh, but you can also find red, purple, and even yellow-fleshed varieties (the latter has a yellow skin to match). All have tiny black seeds that are edible, much like a kiwi.
What Does Dragon Fruit Taste Like?
These brightly colored fruits have a mildly sweet taste, sometimes described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear. The flesh is creamy and full of tiny edible seeds. Don't be disappointed if its flavor isn't as vibrant as its exterior hue.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition and Health Benefits
At just 60 calories, dragon fruit is considered a highly nutrient-dense fruit. Here are just some of the nutrients and health benefits this tropical fruit can provide:
Where to Buy Dragon Fruit
Although its peak season runs June through September, dragon fruit can be found in stores year-round. If its not available at your local supermarket, try specialty stores or Asian markets.
How to Choose Dragon Fruit
Look for a fruit that's mostly free of blemishes, too many can mean its overripe. A ripe dragon fruit should give a little when you apply pressure, but it should not be mushy. If it's too firm, you can leave it on the counter to ripen a few days.
How to Cut and Prepare Dragon Fruit
Despite its intimidating exterior, dragon fruit is not all that difficult to prepare. There are two ways to go about getting to its sweet interior.
How to Use Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is typically served raw, seeds and all, although it can be preserved as a jam. Its soft, scoopable flesh is just begging to be pureed for use in smoothies, sorbets, or cocktails. When chopped up, it is a striking addition to a fruit salad or a yogurt bowl.
What fruit family is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya belonging to the family Cactaceae, is an most important tropical fruit crop as it is rich in antioxidants (a source of vitamins and minerals, prevent cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases), as well as dietry
Is dragon fruit considered a berry?
Only a pollinated flower yields a dragon fruit, a fleshy berry with leathery, scaled skin. The dragon fruit most commonly seen in US grocery stores, H. undatus, has a reddish exterior and white pulp dotted with a multitude of tiny seeds.
Is dragon fruit a melon?
The once lesser-known fruit has white flesh, black seeds, and a somewhat melon-like texture —but isn’t quite as sweet as some of the other tropical fruits taking smoothies by storm.
Is dragon fruit a citrus fruit?
The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is not citrus. It is a tropical fruit that belongs to the climbing cacti (Cactaceae) family. Widely cultivated in Vietnam, the fruit is popular in Southeast Asia. The dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus.
How many types of dragon fruits are there?
There are three species of dragon fruit in the genus Hylocereus and one species in the genus Selenicereus. Varieties of Hylocereus guatemalensis, Hylocereus polyrhizus, and Hylocereus undatus as well as hybrids of these three species are grown commercially worldwide.
Is dragon fruit allergic?
Dragon fruit is generally safe to eat, although studies have reported isolated allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue, hives, and vomiting. This type of reaction seems to be very rare.
Is Blue dragon fruit real?
The blue dragon fruit with red flesh is rich in vitamins and nutrition. Nhung’s family is growing seedlings to sell to other households in the district. Many families that have hilly land have shifted from growing cassava to growing dragon plants.
All the Different Dragon Fruit, and What They Taste Like
Despite their heft (each typically weighs up to a pound) dragon fruit are technically berries. They are borne not on a tree or shrub, but at the branch-tips of lanky, vigorously clambering cacti classified botanically in the Hylocereus genus.
How to Shop for Dragon Fruit
When choosing dragon fruit at market, look for plump specimens with smooth skin. Shriveled skin and drying scales indicate a fruit beyond prime. If the fruit is morphing from pale green to bright pink, it is under ripe.
How to Prep and Eat Dragon Fruit
There are several ways to enjoy dragon fruit. Perhaps the most aesthetically rewarding is when it is part of dramatic and diverse tropical fruit platter, served at the end of a meal. Simply slice a dragon fruit down the middle to expose that vivid white interior and contrast with its lipstick-bright skin.
Why is dragon fruit called dragon?
Today, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka have an emerging dragon fruit production and distribution market. The name ‘dragon fruit’ is derived from its unique appearance, where the spikes resemble fire and the scales resemble that of a dragon, as depicted in Chinese mythology.
What is dragon fruit real name?
Dragon fruit is a fruit of many names, known as pitaya and pitahaya depending on genus, as well as strawberry pear and even night blooming cereus. It is also called thang loy in Thailand, pitahayah if hailing from Israel, and paniniokapunahou in Hawaii.
Is dragon fruit from a dragon?
The plant is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Today, it is grown all over the world. It goes by many names, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear. The two most common types have bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon — hence the name.
What is dragon fruit called in English?
Pitaya fruit, pitahaya fruit, commonly known as the dragon fruit, is a fruit from Central America, South America, and Asia. It has a light sweet taste, an intense shape and colour, and has a texture of between that of a kiwi and an apple.
What is dragon fruit called in India?
The government of the Indian state of Gujarat has decided to give dragon fruit a new name, kamalam after the Sanskrit word for lotus. According to a report from Reuters, Vijay Rupani, chief minister Gujarat said his government felt the dragon fruit name had an association with China.
Why is dragon fruit expensive?
The law of supply and demand dictates the cost of nearly every commercial good, and dragon fruit is no different. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, the demand for dragon fruit in the United States exceeds the supply available — thus a higher price at your local fruit stand.
What country is dragon fruit from?
The cactus originally grew in southern Mexico and South and Central America. The French brought it to Southeast Asia in the early 19th century. Central Americans call it “pitaya.” In Asia, it’s a “strawberry pear.” Today, you can buy dragon fruit throughout the U.S.
