How To Eat Dragon Fruit In The Best Way

The dragon fruit or pitaya, emanates from a climbing cactus native to Central and South America. This fruit has spread worldwide and is now grown in many tropical areas, especially in Southeast Asia. Its striking look- a vibrant pink or red skin with green scales- is what gave it the vivid name "dragon fruit." Likewise, dragon fruit comes in three main varieties, which are;

1. White flesh with pink skin (most common)
2. Red flesh with pink skin (slightly sweeter)
3. White flesh with yellow skin (often the sweetest)

When it comes to taste, it bears some resemblance to kiwi and pear but its minor sweetness makes it suitable for use in different recipes.

Nutritional Benefits

Let's take a look at its nutritional profile before delving into the answer of how do I eat pitaya fruit.

• Calories: 57
• Protein: 0.36 grams
• Fat: O.14 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Carbohydrates: 15 grams
• Magnesium: 2% of the  Daily Value (DV)
• Iron: 1% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 5% of the DV

How to Pick the Perfect Dragon Fruit?

When you are at the supermarket or fruit market you might feel confused about choosing dragon fruit because there are lots and lots of similar-looking dragon fruits. While it's easy to assume that every dragon fruit is good, you can't really tell until you cut one open. Still, below we have described some useful tips to choose the most suitable one. Although these tips aren't foolproof, they can significantly increase your chance of selecting a great dragon fruit.

• Bright, vibrant skin (depends on the variety, it can be pink, red, or yellow)
• Avoid dull-looking fruits
• A few small blemishes are okay
• Gently press the fruit- it should feel like a ripe avocado. If it is too hard then you should understand it is not ready. Likewise, super mushy? That's too ripe.
• You can also assess the weight of this fruit. A ripe dragon should feel heavy for its size (indicates it's full of juicy flesh). Compare a few to find the heaviest one.
• Sniff the base of the fruit where the stem was attached. Ripe dragon fruit will have a decent sweet scent.
• The scales on the skin should be firm and intact, not dried out or brittle.
• Lastly, dragon fruits come in various sizes; larger ones generally have more flesh. Pick one that suits your needs.

How To Prepare Dragon Fruit?

After buying the perfect dragon, let's prepare it;

• Rinse the fruit under cool water to clean off any dirt
• Grab a sharp knife and cut the fruit right down the middle, lengthwise
• The fruit will split open like a beautiful pale book (inside you will see either white or bright magenta flesh, depending on the variety)
• The flesh looks a bit like kiwi- soft, with tiny black seeds scattered throughout
• After that, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, just like you would with an avocado. Or cut the flesh into cubes or slices. The skin isn't edible, so leave that behind.

How To Eat Dragon Fruit In The Best Way?

Now that you know how to pick and prepare the perfect dragon fruits. Let's unleash the ways of dragonfruit eating. There are a lot of creative ways to enjoy it besides as it is. Thus, let's dive into some delicious treats you can whip up with this vibrant fruit, which we have shared below.

Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to have pitaya fruit. Toss those magical pink or white cubes into your blender with some banana, coconut milk, and maybe a handful of berries (you can add some other fruits according to your preferences). Blend it until smooth and creamy. Within a minute your stunning, gorgeous, and nutritious smoothie will be ready.

It's an excellent partner for summer because it is refreshing and totally delicious. Also, best for those mornings when you want something special but quick.

The lovingly sweet and slightly crunchy texture of dragon fruit pairs beautifully with a mix of fruits like kiwi, mango, and berries. The best part is after chopping and decorating all those fruits on your plate they add a burst of color and flavor to your taste and brighten your day as well. You can also mix some mint leaves for freshness and a drizzle of lime juice for some tanginess.

Besides being healthy, this salad is perfect for a light snack and a colorful addition to any meal.

Although cocktails and mocktails may not be the traditional uses for this exotic fruit, they offer an exciting way to enjoy it. The shiny pink or juicy yellow color that emanates from dragon fruit literally helps to make your drinks more colorful and therefore more attractive. For fun, you can use slices or small pieces of dragon fruit to decorate the edge of your glass or use it to garnish on top of the juice for an amazing outlook.

The slightly sweet taste blends perfectly with many drinks, from cool tropical cocktails to fruity mocktails. It makes the drinks taste better and gives them an extra healthy boost.

How can we overlook the sweet dessert of this exotic fruit? There are many ways to turn it into delicious sweets, like for example "Vegan dragon fruit panna cotta," a tasty coconut cream base with dragon fruit sauce, or "Dragon fruit tartlets" which have a nutty crust and a smooth dragon fruit filling, making them so pleasing.

Similarly, you can prepare "Dragon fruit sorbet," a delicious dessert for perfect summer days, or you can prepare "layered cakes" which have a lovely pink color. All these treats have got extremely mouth-watering tastes beyond your imagination. So, give it a try!

This recipe just requires chia seeds mixed in creamy plant-based milk and mashed or diced dragon fruit. Let the mixture chill in the fridge overnight. After a few hours, chia seeds will soak up the liquid and in the morning you will have a tasty meal that resembles a perfect pudding.

The lively pink color of the dragon fruit makes a visually appealing breakfast that is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Also, it is very versatile because you can personalize it by adding extras like fresh fruit, nuts, or granola.

Everybody's favorite- dragon fruit jam gives your breakfast or snacks a tropical twist. This is prepared just by sauteing the natural sugars of the dragon fruit's soft meat with the help of sugar and lemon juice. After that, your delicious and beautifully bright pink jam with a slightly sweet and sour taste will be ready.

It can be eaten directly from the jar or applied on toast, added to yogurts, or used as a topping for desserts. Adding this jam makes your meals more interesting and square meals a lot more nutritious.

Dragon fruit popsicles are an excellent and delicious delight for hot days. They are made by mixing the colorful pink or white inside of this exotic with some sweetener and maybe some coconut milk or juice. These popsicles are yummy and hold a special taste that's a bit sweet and a little tangy, making them a great snack for both kids and grown-ups.

Furthermore, their bright color makes them more colorful which turns a simple frozen treat into something special.

Dragon fruit salsa is just a simple twist on the normal salsa because while preparing it, you simply chop up ripe dragon fruit and mix it with fresh ingredients such as diced jalapenos for some tasty spiciness, chopped scallions, and cilantro for additional crunch and zesty feel.

You can also squeeze a lemon to make the meal taste sour. This salsa can be served as a dip for tortilla chips or used as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.

The recipe is simple- open up a fresh, ripe dragon fruit, and mix it with coconut milk after that add a bit of sweetness like honey or agave, and then put the mixture in an ice cream maker or freeze it in a container. You can stir it fairly often to get an extra creamy texture.

The outcome is an incredibly pink ice cream that tastes as wonderful as it looks, being a little sweet and slightly tangy. Perfect for hot summer days or even as a dessert.

Dragon fruit sushi can be made and it definitely is a delicious and artistic way of having this fruit. Instead of regular sushi rice using dragon fruit pieces will give a delicious and attractive appearance and you will come up with a healthier food. The sweet and slightly tangy taste of dragon fruit goes well with fillings like avocado or cucumber, as you feel each bite flavorful and amusing.

This creative idea highlights the special look of dragon fruit and adds a tropical touch to your sushi. Thus, it is a great choice for anyone who wants to try something new in the kitchen.

Including this fruit in your diet will give you lots of benefits and a glow to your health. Below we have discussed some, let's have a look:

• Aids Digestion: Dragon fruit also contains a lot of fiber, which is good for the digestive system. It can help to make stools less firm and may even work as a gentle laxative making it a bit easier to go to the bathroom.
• Boosts Immune System: It can increase your defense mechanism because this exotic fruit is filled with vitamin C and other antioxidants. This assists your body in defending against different diseases and infections.
• Supports Heart Health: The antioxidants in dragon fruit may help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, its fiber content can contribute to better cardiovascular health.
• Helps Manage Blood Sugar Level: Some studies suggest that dragon fruit may help lower blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
• Improves Gut Health: Dragon fruit contains prebiotics, which are types of fiber that feed the good bacteria in your gut. This can improve your gut health and overall digestion.
• Reduce Inflammation: Certain compounds in dragon fruit have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation in the body.
• Enhances Skin Health: The antioxidants and vitamin C in dragon fruit may promote healthier skin by helping repair damage and reducing signs of aging.

Well, it's evident you don't go purchase one dragon fruit at a time thus it is vital to understand how to store or take care of your remaining pretty pink dragon fruit. That's why we have discussed some ways to store them:

• If your dragon fruit is not fully ripe, don't rush to wash or cut it. Keep it whole and unwashed on your counter and let it for a few days. After some days check it by pressing it, if you feel kind of like an avocado then your fruit is ready to have.
• When you have ripe dragon fruit then you have got two options. If you are eating it soon then keep it in your crisper drawer (it will stay good for about a week). However, if you want to save it for a longer time, cut it into chunks, put them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze them. They will be perfect for smoothies later.
• If you've already cut into it, wrap the leftover pieces in plastic wrap or put them in a container before refrigerating. They will stay fresh for about 3 days.

Note: If you notice any mold or if it gets super soft and mushy, it's probably time to throw it.