Dragonfruit

Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that’s low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. Some people say it tastes like a cross between a pear and a kiwi. You can slice and eat the fruit as-is, try it with yogurt, or add it to a smoothie or salad. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Though people primarily enjoy it for its unique look and taste, evidence suggests it may provide health benefits as well. This article takes a look at dragon fruit, including its nutrition, benefits, and how to eat it. Dragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen, whose flowers only open at night. 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. The most widely available variety has white pulp with black seeds, though a less common type with red pulp and black seeds exists as well. Another variety — referred to as yellow dragon fruit — has yellow skin and white pulp with black seeds. Dragon fruit may look exotic, but its flavors are similar to SUMMARY Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to Mexico and Central America. Its taste is like a combination of a kiwi and a pear. Dragon fruit contains small amounts of several nutrients. It’s also a decent source of iron, magnesium, and Here ...

Known for their hot-pink, spike-covered exterior, dragon fruits are one of the more tropical fruits widely available in American supermarkets. Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit has white and sweet, seed-speckled pulp. It grows on a climbing cactus called Hylocereus, which is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America but will grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12. Botanical Name Hylocereus Common Name Dragon fruit, pitaya Plant Type Perennial, cactus, fruit Mature Size 10-20 ft. tall, 5-10 ft. wide Sun Exposure Full sun Soil Type Loamy, sandy, well-drained Soil pH Slightly acidic (6.0 to 7.0) Bloom Time Late spring to early summer Flower Color White Hardiness Zones 10-12 (USDA) Native Area North America, Central America, South America Toxicity Non-toxic Claudia Totir / Getty Images You can procure a bounty of seeds just by cutting open a grocery store-bought dragon fruit and scooping out the fleshy center. Pick the black seeds out and rinse them (it's fine to leave a bit of the pulp attached). In a small pot filled with seed starter, mix your seeds thoroughly into the top quarter-inch layer of soil. Use a spray bottle to moisten, then cover the pot with cling wrap and place in a sunny window. Growing From a Starter Many see more success with growing dragon fruit from a cutting than from seed. To propagate a pitaya plant, make a slanted cut of a new piece of growth, about six to eight inches, and leave the cutting to air-dry in a dry, shady area for a full w...

Since dragon fruit is not abundant in the United States, nor is it as widely available in supermarkets as other produce, most Americans are unaware of its incredible flavor and potential health benefits. If you’re curious about what dragon fruit can do for your health, we've got answers. What is dragon fruit, exactly? Named for its artichoke-like features, pointy scales and all, dragon fruit is a sweet, tropical fruit with a lil crunch to it. Also commonly referred to as a cactus fruit or strawberry pear, “it tastes a little bit like a kiwi and you can eat it like a kiwi, where you spoon it out,” says Joan Salge Blake, Ed.D., R.D.N., a clinical professor at Boston University and host of the podcast Spot On!. One dragon fruit is about 60 calories and is a good source of magnesium and vitamin C, says Roxana Ehsani, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., L.D.N., a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “I often hear my clients say, I'm bored, I feel like I’m eating the same thing every day, so I point them to the tropical produce section of the grocery store and I encourage them to try one out,” she says. “It’s a great solution for anyone who wants to shake things up in the kitchen.” And even the seeds are healthy! “They add a dose of heart healthy omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids,” she adds. Dragon fruit also contains antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene, says Salge Blake. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin ...

× This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. × This article is based on scientific evidence, written by Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Dragon Fruit Benefits, Including for Anti-Aging and Heart Health By Rachael Link, MS, RD November 3, 2022 Although it may sound like it belongs in a fairytale or story book rather than on your plate, dragon fruit is a versatile, vibrant and nutritious ingredient that’s brimming with health benefits. Also called dragon pearl fruit, cactus fruits, pitahaya or pitaya, dragon fruit is a tropical and delicious In recent years, this fla...

Dragon fruit,also known as pitaya or the strawberry pear, is a beautiful tropical fruit that is sweet and crunchy. The plant the fruit comes from is actually a type of Hylocereus, which includes about 20 different species. Originally popular in Southeast Asia and Latin America, dragon fruit is now grown and enjoyed all over the world. Though it may look intimidating with its pinkish red skin and light green scales, preparing this unusual fruit is easy. You can enjoy eating it in fruit salads, itcan be used to create tastydrinks and desserts, and it is a wonderful, healthy snack on its own. The fruit comes in four varieties; three are pink-skinned, one with white flesh, one with red flesh, and the third with purple flesh. The fourth variety has yellow skin with white flesh. All have tiny black seeds that are edible, just like kiwifruit. Its unique appearance lends to serving as is, but this tropical fruit is also wonderfully blended into cocktails. The fruit is quite simple to prepare—just cut it down the middle and remove the flesh with a spoon. Depending on the variety and where it was grown, dragon fruit can be a bit pricy. Varieties Technically, the types of dragon fruit can be broken down by genus/species/hybrid. The genus Hylocereus has three different species of dragon fruit, while Selenicereus has one, and each species features several hybrids. However, it is much simpler to categorize dragon fruit by their skin and flesh color. The Spruce / Leah Maroney Dragon frui...

Although dragon fruit may not feature regularly on your grocery list, this brightly colored fruit, with its white or red flesh and black seeds, may be worth a taste if you’re looking to change things up. Here’s what you need to know about this exotic treat, including its many potential health benefits, nutritional information, how it tastes, and the ways to eat it. What Is Dragon Fruit (Also Called Pitaya or Pitahaya)? As the name suggests, dragon fruit is just that — a fruit. It’s grown primarily in Asia, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Historians think it originated in Central America, though ancient Chinese legend claims it was created thousands of years ago by a dragon in battle who blew a burst of fire containing the fruit. ( If you’ve never heard of dragon fruit, you might be familiar with its other names: strawberry pear and pitaya or pitahaya. ( Dragon fruit (or pitaya) comes from a cactus of the type Hylocereus. It’s a fast-growing crop, and the plants can produce for more than 20 years once established. (3) There are different types of dragon fruit. The three main ones include: (4) • Hylocereus undatus (pitaya blanca ) has pink/red skin, white flesh, and black seeds. • Hylocereus polyrhizus (pitaya roja ) has pink/red skin, red flesh, and black seeds. • Hylocereus guatemalensis (pitaya amarilla ) has yellow skin, white flesh, and black seeds. Because dragon fruit is full of vitamins and nutrients, and offers potentially disease-fighting antioxidants, ...