How to Eat Dragon Fruit

At one time, dragon fruit was more of a delicacy that wasn’t very mainstream or readily available in some areas of the world. But now this tropical fruit is becoming more popular and many people are beginning to incorporate dragon fruit into their diet. But if you’ve never had it, you may wonder what does dragon fruit taste like, and how to even eat fresh dragon fruit. Another thing to consider before grabbing one of these peculiarly-looking fruits from your local store is how to prepare a dragon fruit. These next tips will tell you everything you need to know about this deliciously unique, petal winged fruit.

What Is Dragon Fruit and Where Does Dragon Fruit Come From?

Dragon Fruit is a tropical fruit that is also called pitaya. What many don’t know is that the dragon fruit is actually a cactus, and is native to places like Central and South America and Mexico. Dragon fruit blooms as a flower and can be a number of radiant colors on both the inside and outside, such as yellow, white, and hot pink. The interior flesh is dotted with edible seeds, similar to kiwi. Just like any cactus, dragon fruit has thorns on it that can be easily removed. The great thing about this fruit is that dragon fruit season is during the summer, so it’s the perfect fruit for some fun in the sun. One of the most popular aesthetics of the dragon fruit is the beautiful petal wings that bloom around the fruit.

How Do You Eat Dragon Fruit?

How do you tell if a dragon fruit is ripe or not?

The first step in learning how to eat dragon fruit is to pick a nice option. You can tell if a dragon fruit is ripe by looking for a few key indicators. Dragon fruit is picked underripe so that it will easily ship. But once it reaches your local grocery store, it should be heavier than you’d expect for its size. That means it will be a ripe, juicy pick. It should be firm and give to pressure, like a ripe avocado. A good, ripe dragon fruit will also have drier wings that are yellow with brownish tips.

Prepare your dragon fruit.

In order to learn how to prepare a dragon fruit, you have to know the best method for how to peel a dragon fruit. The best way to start is to cut the fruit in half. Or you can alternatively peel the dragon fruit by cutting off the rind. This works best if you slice it into pieces, and carve out the fruit from the rind.

Enjoy your dragon fruit!

Now when you know how to cut a dragon fruit, it is time to enjoy the dragon fruit of your labor. The interior meat should be soft and succulent, and a real delight to eat. The flavor is sweet and has a soft texture. Some compare the flavor of dragon fruit to a combination of pear and kiwi.

The soft, but consistent texture of dragon fruit makes it easy to incorporate into different snacks and beverages. It can be easily scooped out directly from the rind and eaten as a snack. Dragon fruit can also be cut up into cubes and saved for a snack at another time. You can easily take dragon fruit cubes and toss them into a fruit salad. Dragon fruit is also a great ingredient for smoothies and will add a sweet and tangy flavor profile. They can be added as the fresh ingredient in your smoothie, or you can toss them into a plastic bag and freeze. This will give your smoothie that smooth, pureed texture.

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

You may be wondering if such a tasty treat is also a good option healthwise, and what nutrients is dragon fruit good for. Well, good news: dragon fruit is very good for you. Dragon fruit is packed full of vitamin C and vitamin B. The flesh of the fruit is also an excellent source of fiber. Surprisingly, out of all the interesting components of the dragon fruit, the seeds are what makes it so beneficial. The seeds are a good source of prebiotics. With many seeds, the body cannot process their nutrients, so they must be ground up. But fortunately, dragon fruit seeds can be broken down by preexisting gut bacteria.