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Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is a tropical fruit that belongs to the cactus family Hylocereus. Native to Central America, this exotic fruit is now cultivated in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It has a unique appearance with its vibrant colors, resembling an artichoke or a flaming ball, and covered in small, spiky, leaf-like protrusions. Upon cutting the fruit open, you will find either a white or red/purple fleshy pulp filled with tiny, edible black seeds. With a mildly sweet, refreshing taste, dragon fruit is typically eaten raw or incorporated into salads, smoothies, or desserts for a burst of color and flavor.
#44
IN FRESH FRUIT
63
CAL / 100G
$0.44
AVG / OZ
dragon fruit
95%
CARBS
0%
FAT
5%
PROTEIN
Dragon Fruit FAQ
Cooking with dragon fruit can be a fun but intriguing experience due to its offbeat appearance and texture. People often struggle deciding the best utilization of this mildly sweet fruit due to lack of understanding of its flavor profile. You can get the most out of dragon fruit by using it in a variety of ways. For instance, you can scoop out the flesh and use it raw in salads or smoothies. Its attractive look makes it great for presenting desserts. Its skin also serves as a beautiful serving bowl once the flesh is scooped out. Grilling dragon fruit adds a smoky twist to its flavor. Dragon fruit is also fantastic in salsa, being a perfect blend of sweet and tart. A less known fact about dragon fruit is that it can be utilized in savory dishes as well. Try adding diced dragon fruit in your shrimp or chicken stir-fry for a tropical flavor burst, or cook it with jalapenos, onion and cilantro for a sweet-hot dragon fruit sauce for your tacos. A common mistake people make is discarding the skin which can be used not only for presentation but also for making interesting teas. Another is not balancing the mild sweetness of the fruit if using it in a dessert; pairing it with a tart element can bring out its flavor more.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
Can dragon fruit be cooked?
Can you eat the skin of a dragon fruit?
What flavors pair well with dragon fruit?
Do you have to peel a dragon fruit?
How do I tell if a dragon fruit is ripe?
What do you do with dragon fruit seeds?
Can dragon fruit be used in baking?
Can dragon fruit be frozen?
How do you serve dragon fruit?
Expiration & Storage Tips
When does dragon fruit expire?
If you buy a fully ripened dragon fruit, it can remain good at room temperature for about a week. If you store it in the refrigerator, it can last about two weeks. Once cut open, it should be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a couple of days.
How do you tell if dragon fruit is bad?
When a dragon fruit goes bad, the skin starts to turn brown and feels mushy when touched. Additionally, the inside of the fruit may appear discolored, smell sour, or the seeds may have started to ferment and turn alcoholic.
Tips for storing dragon fruit to extend shelf life
• Store whole dragon fruit at room temperature if you plan to consume it within a week. • To extend its shelf life, keep the dragon fruit in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. • Avoid washing the fruit until you are ready to consume it, as moisture can encourage mold growth. • If you have cut the dragon fruit and need to store the leftovers, make sure to cover the exposed pulp with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out and absorbing other odors from the fridge. • Dragon fruit can also be frozen. Simply cube or scoop out the fleshy pulp, and then freeze it in a zip-top bag. To defrost, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator for a few hours before you plan to eat it. Frozen dragon fruit is great for making smoothies.
EXPIRES WITHIN
11 - 24
DAYS
Health Info
Macros
31g
CARBS
0g
FAT
1g
PROTEIN
Allowed on these diets
LOW FAT
HIGH CALCIUM
VEGETARIAN
PALEO
WHOLE 30
MEDITERRANEAN
LOW CARB
VEGAN
LACTOSE FREE
GLUTEN FREE
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