Dragon fruit is a vibrant tropical fruit known for its striking appearance and juicy sweetness. Dragon fruit is hard to miss. Its skin is either hot pink and green-spiked or a yellow variety, while its inner flesh can be purple, white, or red. It’s often seen in supermarkets or included in fruit salads. The fruit’s edible flesh is spiked with tiny black seeds and offers a unique, refreshing taste. If this exotic fruit’s appearance seems intimidating, don’t worry. Understanding its flavor, selecting a ripe one, and learning how to slice it guarantees you can savor dragon fruit at its best.
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What Is Dragon Fruit, Exactly?
Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or strawberry pear, is an oval-shaped, vibrantly colored tropical fruit from the Hylocereus cactus family. It originates from Central America, but today, this exotic fruit is cultivated and enjoyed all around the globe. The dragon fruit’s distinctive pointy scales suggest exactly how it got its name. Inside, the fruit surprises with a sweet taste and a texture much like kiwi flesh. This sweet, creamy, and crunchy fruit is delightful when scooped out as a snack or used in various recipes.
Curious about the taste? Many people describe it as a blend of kiwi, pear, and ripe watermelon, making it irresistibly delicious.
Jake Sternquist
Dragon Fruit Varieties
Watch for these four primary varieties of dragon fruit:
– Pink skin with white flesh (Hylocereus undatus): This is the most commonly grown variety and is the least sweet of the other varieties. Look for names like Alice, Cosmic Charlie, David Bowie, Guyute, Harpua, L.A. Woman, Neitzel, Seoul Kitchen, Thomson, and Vietnamese Jaina.
– Pink skin with red or pink flesh (Hylocereus polyrhizus): This variety is longer in shape and sweeter than the white-fleshed kind. You might find it labeled as Bloody Mary, Red Jaina, Voodoo Child, or Zamorano.
– Pink skin with purple flesh (Hylocereus guatemalensis): Known for its striking appearance, it’s also marketed as “American Beauty.”
– Yellow skin with white flesh (Selenicereus megalanthus): The smallest and sweetest variety, it’s harder to find but well worth the search.
When Is Dragon Fruit in Season?
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, the prime season for fresh, ripe dragon fruit is June through September. Most varieties are best in August and September. However, the yellow-skinned, white-fleshed type can sometimes be found in winter, particularly from November to February. When selecting dragon fruit, look for a bright, evenly colored fruit that has a slight give to the touch, much like a fresh peach.
Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
Dragon fruit is good for the gut with its abundant fiber, and is packed with vitamin C to boost your immune system. It also contains magnesium, which promotes restful sleep, and is a source of iron, which is rare for a plant. Like most fruits, dragon fruit is mostly water, helping to keep you hydrated.
Per USDA’s FoodData Central database, a 3½-ounce serving of dragon fruit provides:
– 60 calories
– 0 g fat
– 1 g protein
– 13 g carbohydrates
– 3 g fiber
– 8 g sugar
– 3% of your daily vitamin C
– 4% of your daily iron
– 10% of your daily magnesium
Jake Sternquist
How to Cut Dragon Fruit
Like avocados or apples, dragon fruits are best when purchased whole and sliced just before they’re ready to be eaten. Store them at room temperature until that time. If you have leftover sliced fruit, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one day. When it starts to brown or become mushy, it’s time to compost the fruit or discard it.
To cut your dragon fruit, you’ll need a cutting board and a sharp knife. Slice it lengthwise from stem to root into two halves. Then, using a spoon, trace around the inside of the skin to remove the flesh. Turn the flesh onto your cutting board, check for any remaining skin, and remove it if needed. You can then cut the flesh into cubes or slices to enjoy plain or in your favorite recipes.
For a fun presentation, try a melon baller to make round pieces, perfect for snacking or adding to a fruit salad.
BHG / Abbey Littlejohn
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is typically enjoyed raw, but it can add a delightful complexity to grilled fruit recipes.
When served raw, ripe dragon fruit is often included in:
– Frozen desserts like sorbet.
– Cocktails.
– Fruit salsas, great for scooping with chips or topping tacos, fish entrées, or poke bowls.
– Smoothies or smoothie bowls: Ripe dragon fruit is perfect for blending into soft desserts and smoothies. Avoid using fruit that feels mushy or overripe.
