What are the different types of dragon fruit. How do dragon fruit varieties differ in appearance and taste. Which dragon fruit species are commercially grown worldwide. What are the health benefits of consuming dragon fruit.

The Fascinating Origins of Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is a captivating tropical fruit native to Central and South America. Despite its relatively recent rise to global popularity, this exotic fruit boasts a rich history and diverse array of varieties. Today, dragon fruit cultivation has spread across six continents, making it one of the most widely distributed members of the cactaceae family.

Four primary species of dragon fruit exist:

• Hylocereus guatemalensis
• Hylocereus polyrhizus
• Hylocereus undatus
• Selenicereus megalanthus

The first three Hylocereus species, along with their hybrids, dominate commercial production worldwide. Selenicereus megalanthus, while less common, enjoys popularity in South America, particularly Colombia.

Dragon Fruit Varieties: A Rainbow of Flavors

Dragon fruit comes in a stunning array of colors and flavors, each variety offering a unique sensory experience. The flesh of dragon fruit can be white, red, or magenta, with varying intensities depending on the specific cultivar.

White Dragon Fruit

White dragon fruit is the most commonly cultivated variety, featuring vibrant pink skin and white flesh studded with tiny black seeds. Popular cultivars include:

• David Bowie: A nod to the iconic musician, this variety is known for its crisp texture and mild sweetness.
• Vietnamese Jaina: Prized for its large size and refreshing flavor.
• Alice: A sweet and aromatic variety with a hint of floral notes.

Red Dragon Fruit

Red dragon fruit varieties boast a striking magenta flesh that is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients. Some notable red-fleshed cultivars are:

• Red Jaina: Known for its intense color and sweet-tart flavor profile.
• American Beauty: A popular variety with a deep red flesh and balanced sweetness.
• Zamorano: Prized for its large size and rich, berry-like taste.

Yellow Dragon Fruit

Yellow dragon fruit, belonging to the Selenicereus megalanthus species, is less common but highly prized for its unique characteristics:

• Golden Yellow: Features a sunny yellow exterior and translucent white flesh.
• Colombian Jewel: Known for its exceptionally sweet flavor and delicate aroma.

The Nutritional Powerhouse: Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Beyond its striking appearance, dragon fruit offers a wealth of health benefits that have contributed to its rising popularity. Rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, dragon fruit has earned its place among the world’s most sought-after superfoods.

Antioxidant Properties

Red-fleshed dragon fruit varieties are particularly noteworthy for their high lycopene content. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant known for its potential to:

• Combat cancer
• Promote heart health
• Lower blood pressure

These antioxidant properties make dragon fruit a valuable addition to a balanced diet, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting overall well-being.

Nutrient Density

Dragon fruit is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Fiber

This nutrient profile contributes to improved immune function, digestive health, and overall vitality.

Dragon Fruit Cultivation: From Cactus to Fruit

Dragon fruit’s journey from flower to fruit is a fascinating process that begins on a cactus native to Central America. These night-blooming flowers, often referred to as “Queen of the Night,” are a spectacle in themselves, opening for just one night before wilting.

Growing Conditions

Dragon fruit thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, requiring:

• Well-draining soil
• Full sun exposure
• Support structures for climbing

Innovative growing techniques, such as the Vietnamese style of trellising, have been developed to optimize cultivation. This method involves using posts wrapped in burlap to hold liquid fertilizers for the plant’s epiphytic roots.

Pollination and Fruit Development

Dragon fruit flowers rely on nocturnal pollinators, such as bats and moths, for successful fruit set. The flowers typically open in the evening and may remain open until noon the following day, especially in cloudy conditions.

Once pollinated, the fruit develops over several weeks, gradually transforming from a small green bud into the distinctive scaly, colorful fruit we recognize as dragon fruit.

The Global Rise of Dragon Fruit

Despite its long history in Central and South America, dragon fruit remained relatively unknown to the wider world for centuries. In recent years, however, this exotic fruit has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, becoming a sought-after commodity in global markets.

Commercial Production

Vietnam has emerged as a leading exporter of dragon fruit, with the fruit becoming the country’s primary fruit export. Other major producers include:

• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Israel
• Nicaragua

The increasing demand for dragon fruit has led to expanded cultivation in various regions, including parts of the United States such as Florida and California.

Dragon Fruit in the Beverage Industry

The unique flavor and visual appeal of dragon fruit have caught the attention of major beverage companies. Brands like Snapple, Tropicana, and SoBe have incorporated dragon fruit into their product lines, offering a range of dragon fruit-infused drinks.

This trend extends beyond commercial beverages, with dragon fruit making its way into cocktails and specialty drinks. The “Red Dragon Martini,” also known as the “Dragontini,” is a popular example, combining vodka with the vibrant flavors of red dragon fruit.

Dragon Fruit Legends and Cultural Significance

The allure of dragon fruit extends beyond its physical attributes, with the fruit being steeped in legend and cultural significance. One particularly captivating tale, attributed to Asian marketers, links the origin of dragon fruit to mythical fire-breathing dragons.

The Dragon Fruit Legend

According to the legend, dragon fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire-breathing dragons. During fierce battles, the fruit would emerge from the dragons’ nostrils as they breathed fire. After slaying a dragon, victorious soldiers would present the fruit to their emperor as a coveted treasure and symbol of triumph.

The legend further claims that consuming the dragon’s flesh, particularly a prized cut called “jaina,” would imbue the eater with the dragon’s strength and ferocity. This mythical association has contributed to the fruit’s mystique and appeal in various cultures.

Modern Cultural Impact

While the dragon legends may be fictional, the impact of dragon fruit on modern culture is very real. The fruit has become a symbol of exoticism and luxury in many parts of the world, featured in high-end culinary creations and designer products.

In the realm of urban agriculture, dragon fruit has found a niche among enthusiasts growing tropical fruits in unexpected places. For instance, Sy Baskin, an accomplished grower of container fruit trees, successfully cultivated an American Beauty dragon fruit on the 26th-floor balcony of his Miami condominium, overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Dragon Fruit: A Fruit for the Future

As global interest in exotic superfoods continues to grow, dragon fruit is well-positioned to maintain its status as a “rock star” of the fruit world. Its striking appearance, versatile flavor profile, and impressive nutritional benefits make it an attractive option for health-conscious consumers and culinary innovators alike.

Sustainability and Agriculture

The increasing popularity of dragon fruit presents both opportunities and challenges for sustainable agriculture. As demand grows, there is a need for:

• Developing more efficient cultivation methods
• Expanding production to new regions
• Ensuring sustainable farming practices

Research into dragon fruit varieties that can thrive in diverse climates may help meet global demand while reducing the environmental impact of long-distance transportation.

Culinary Innovation

Dragon fruit’s unique flavor and vibrant color make it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. Chefs and food manufacturers continue to explore new ways to incorporate dragon fruit into their creations, from gourmet desserts to health-focused snacks.

The fruit’s potential in the beverage industry also remains strong, with ongoing innovation in dragon fruit-based drinks, smoothies, and functional beverages.

Continued Research

As interest in dragon fruit grows, so does scientific research into its properties and potential benefits. Areas of ongoing study include:

• Exploring the full range of dragon fruit’s nutritional compounds
• Investigating potential medicinal applications
• Developing new hybrid varieties with enhanced characteristics

This research may uncover additional health benefits and applications for dragon fruit, further cementing its status as a superfood of the future.

Pine Island Nursery

Dragon Fruit are native to Central and South America, where they are known as pitaya or pitahaya. They are one of the most widely distributed members of the cactaceae family, and are now found on six continents. There are three species of dragon fruit in the genus Hylocereus and one species in the genus Selenicereus. Varieties of Hylocereus guatemalensis, Hylocereus polyrhizus, and Hylocereus undatus as well as hybrids of these three species are grown commercially worldwide. Selenicereus megalanthus is grown commercially on smaller scales in South America and is especially popular in Colombia.

The dragon fruit flesh can be white, red or magenta, all to varying degrees, dependant upon variety. The red-fleshed varieties contain lycopene, a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer and heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Despite the health benefits and its spectacular appearance, the fruit has gone virtually unnoticed for centuries. Today it is the leading fruit export of Vietnam. It has even caught the attention of Snapple, Tropicana, and Sobe which are just a few of the major labels that have incorporated dragon fruit into their bottled fruit drinks.

The sensation surrounding this fabulous fruit can be attributed to a legend created by ingenious Asian marketers. According to the legend, the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons. During a battle, when the dragon breathes fire, the last thing to come out of its nostrils is the fruit. After the dragon is slain, the fruit is collected and presented to the Emperor as a coveted treasure and indication of victory. The soldiers would then butcher the dragon and eat the flesh. It was believed that those who feasted on the flesh would be endowed with the strength and ferocity of the dragon, and that they, too, would be coveted by the Emperor.

It is written that the dragon’s flame originates deep within its body, near the base of its tail. The meat from this part of the dragon was the most desirable and sought-after portion. Only the officers of each division would be privy to this cut of meat. The ancient Chinese called this cut the “jaina,” which translates literally to “the sweetest and best tasting.” The jaina was treasured by all who were privileged enough to taste it, and it is believed that man’s thirst for the jaina is what led to the destruction and eventual extinction of all of the dragons.

Shoji Watanabe

FRUSIC
Gifu, Japan
Customer since 2004

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Dragon Flower With Bees

Bees are seen here working the flowers in the early morning. The night blooming flowers can remain open until noon on a cloudy day, but are typically collapsed by nine.
    

Dragon Tree

We employ a Vietnamese style of trellising. The posts are two feet in the ground, six feet above, and have field fence laced to rebar for a superstructure. The posts are wrapped with burlap to hold liquid soluble fertilizers for the epiphytic roots.
 
    

Condo Dragon

This six month old American Beauty has latched onto a column on the balcony of Sy Baskin’s twenty-sixth floor Brickel Avenue condominium over looking Biscayne Bay. Sy is an accomplished grower of container fruit trees, and he is also the owner of an accomplished thoroughbred named Ocean Drive.
    

Capri sun – Vitamin Water

Dragon fruit are getting attention from a broad spectrum of major bottlers.
    

Red Dragon Martini – AKA Dragontini

Ingredients:
• Four cups of top shelf Vodka
• Two tablespoons of sugar
• One half Zamorano or Red Jaina dragon fruit
• Garnish with V. Jaina for contrast.

Different Types of Dragon Fruit
– FruitStand.com

Let’s be honest: some fruits are just natural-born rock stars. They’re not content to be pretty in pink – they’d rather be pretty in hot pink! With scales!

We see you, dragon fruit. And we love your style.

Mother of Dragons 

Dragon fruit – also known as pitaya, or hylocereus for the more Latin-minded – is no stranger to beauty. The fruit actually starts its life as a flower, blooming on a cactus variety native to Central America. 

When fully developed, it’s the stand-out star of any produce section thanks to its intricate leathery scales that ombre from hot pink to green. But pitaya is no one-look pony: the fashionable fruit actually comes in several varieties, sporting different tastes and tones of skin and flesh.

And like many supermodels that have come before it, dragon fruit has been indelibly linked to the music scene, with many of its most colorful cultivars taking their names straight from the rock n roll world. 

White Dragon Fruit

With its vibrant pink skin and white flesh – spotted with tasty black seeds – white dragon fruit is the most commonly grown type of pitaya. Some of its more popular cultivars include: 

• David Bowie: Talk about the thin, white duke. This variety of white dragon fruit is slimmer than most others, and known for a tangier, lemon-like taste.
• Vietnamese Jaina: One of the world’s most popular varieties, thanks in no small part to the stark whiteness of its fruit. The color-blocking of this varietal is truly Instagram-worthy.
• L.A. Woman: A rarely-grown variety that some experts say leaves a bad taste in your mouth. No relation to how the Doors song of the same name may make you feel.
•  Seoul Kitchen: A spin on another Doors song title, this variety of white dragon fruit is a bit rounder in shape, with smoother and sweeter flesh than its Los Angeles cousin.
•  Lake Atitlan: Named for the volcano-ringed lake in Guatemala, this exotic-sounding variety of dragon fruit is typically on the larger – and tangier – side.
• Neitzel: A California native, this varietal is sweet and especially tasty when chilled.
• Alice: Named for a rock star of the fruit growing world, Alice Snow, this eponymous type of dragon fruit is less sweet than other varieties, but rocks ultra-bright pink skin.
• Guyute: In the Phish song of the same name, Guyute was an ugly pig. In the world of exotic plants, it’s a particularly sweet variety of white dragon fruit.
• Harpua: Dragon fruit cultivators must really love Phish. This varietal – named for a song with a particularly tasty jam – rocks a semisweet white pulp that tastes a bit like melon.
• Thompson: One of the largest varieties of white dragon fruit, this cultivar can weigh up to 1.5 pounds.

Red Dragon Fruit

Red dragon fruit has the same beautiful pink skin as its white relatives, but a burst of red flesh on the inside.

• Red Jaina: With an especially deep-red pulp, this variety is particularly juicy – making it a perfect compliment to a good blender.
• Zamorano: Named for the university in Honduras where it was first developed, this red dragon fruit variety is medium-sized with a mild, sweet flavor.
• Costa Rican Sunset: As special as its name entails, this is a particularly unique variety of dragon fruit, thanks to its slow growing vine.
• Natural Mystic: Did you think we were done name-checking songs? Think again. This red dragon fruit, named for the Bob Marley tune, is truly magical, landing on the larger and sweeter side of things.

Pink Dragon Fruit

Technically, these are all types of red dragon fruit, but on the inside, they look anything from soft rose to hot pink.

• Makisupa: A beautiful magenta flesh partners with a sweet-and-sour taste in this red-but-more-like pink dragon fruit variety. (And for those keeping count, this marks the third Phish song reference. Jam band fans, rejoice!)
• American Beauty: Aptly named after both the seminal Grateful Dead album and its truly sensational pink pulp, this varietal is also known for its stunning sweet flavor.
• Delight: On the larger side with a smooth texture, sweet taste, and lovely soft pink flesh, this pink dragon fruit is truly worthy of its name.
• Dark Star: A long and skinny shape with a mild grape-y taste and the bearer of yet another Grateful Dead song name.
• Cosmic Charlie: Rounding out the Deadhead crowd is this magenta-fleshed varietal, with a truly celestial taste of grape and kiwi.
• Purple Haze: Veering into the harder side of rock, this Jimi Hendrix namesake is one of the biggest types of dragon fruit, with a vibrant pink color, relatively few seeds, and grape-like taste.
• Voodoo Child: Worthy of its witchy name (which happens to also be – you guessed it! – a Jimi Hendrix song) this pink dragon fruit is small but mighty, packing a sweet grape-y taste into a dark pink fruit no larger than an egg.

Yellow Dragon Fruit 

This type of dragon fruit doesn’t mind standing out from the crowd, with a monotone yellow exterior that sports a far different scale pattern.

There’s only one yellow dragon fruit variety, but it’s widely thought to be the tastiest of all, with its firm white flesh packing plenty of sweetness.

Sour Dragon Fruit 

Something of a specialty, this kind of dragon fruit is called stenocereus and is found primarily in South and Central America, particularly in more arid regions. It may lean more sour than sweet, but it yields more juice than most other varieties, and has long been a dietary staple of indigenous peoples.

But no matter which look or taste it’s rocking, a dragon fruit always aims to please.

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names and varieties, useful properties and how to eat dragon fruit

This exotic guest is a very rare occurrence in countries other than those where it grows. After all, dragon fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days. In addition, it does not tolerate transportation very well, especially over long distances. Because of this negative set, the dragon fruit, if it hits our shelves, becomes a very expensive .

Dragon eye description and origin

America is considered to be the birthplace of the pitahaya since the references to this fruit are found in the history of the ancient Aztecs. The Indians loved the dragon fruit for its taste and the ability to quench their thirst, because it consists of 85 percent of water . Now pitahaya is distributed throughout all countries of East Asia (famous Thailand, tourist Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Vietnam), and also grows in Mexico, Japan, China, Australia and even in Israel.

Myths and legends

Description of dragon fruit

One ancient legend explains the origin of the name pitahaya as dragon fruit. After all, even its peel is similar to the scales of mythical dragons. It is said that this is the heart of a dragon, which was mined from a dead dragon. It was through love for this fruit that all these mystical creatures were defeated. So it turned out to be an unfading memory about the life of dragons.

At its core, the plants on which pitaya grow are climbing cacti , on the edges of thorny branches, juicy cactus fruits of different colors ripen and fill with juice.

It is noteworthy that the full opening of the flower occurs exclusively at night. Hanging white flowers are very fragrant, when they fade, the ovary of the fruit appears, this happens in about a month or a half. On farms that specialize in the industrial cultivation of pitahaya, they can harvest a rich harvest of fruits 5-6 times per season.

Dragon heart components:

Exotic fruit

Fruit per 100g:

• Low calorie content – only 45-50 kcal
• Fat content – ​​0.5g!!!
• Protein content – 0.5g
• Total carbohydrates – 13g
• Group vitamins: C, B1, B3, PP, B2
• Antioxidants
• Fruit acids
• Useful minerals: phosphorus calcium, iron, potassium, etc.

Exotic fruit pitahaya species and varieties

Which varieties of pitahaya

Different varieties differ in size, color and structure of the skin (orange-yellow, purplish-red, bright pink), color and texture of delicate flesh (creamy-white, pinkish or aggressive red). On top, there may be small bumps, a “pineapple” structure, or natural scales, because of which the names actually originated: dragon fruit, dragon heart, dragon eye, dragon fruit, etc.

Dragon fruit or prickly pear fruit, especially beneficial for people following the diet diet. Arrange for yourself a variety of unloading days.

Among all varieties of varieties, pitahaya has become famous mainly for its three representatives, which are the most popular and delicious:

• White (Hylocereus undatus) – even in Vietnam it is called “dragon fruit”. This is the most exotic and popular variety, it has a pink and red scaly peel on the outside, and inside is soft and tender white flesh with a pleasant taste and aroma. Multiple black seeds.
• Red (Hylocereus costaricensis) – Costa Rican pitaya. It has both a bright pink-red skin and a creamy red flesh with an even richer flavor. Small black seeds, like the more familiar kiwi.
• Yellow (Hylocereus megalanthus) – prickly pear or long yang. It looks like a bright yellow lemon in large pimples. Inside is snow-white with multiple black seeds. It is considered the most fragrant and sweet.

The fruit weight is different: from a medium apple, about 150g and up to 700-800g samples. Well, individual giants can boast of weight, even a kilogram. The peel is quite soft, easily removed with a sharp knife. The taste of different subspecies is different, but it is quite delicate and slightly sweet. Some may find it a little bland. But, what would not like the reviews have not yet been met.

How to eat pitahaya

First of all, because of its bright and unusual appearance, it is often used as a decoration for a festively set table. It is recommended to serve the dragon’s eye fruit chilled so that the delicate taste qualities are sufficiently expressed. Multiple black seeds are also useful, but they must be chewed thoroughly, due to the rather long and difficult digestion.

Can be cut lengthwise into two pieces and invite guests to simply enjoy the taste of chilled dragon fruit.

Can be cut into slices like watermelon or melon, combined with other fruits of contrasting color and taste, laid out on a beautiful festive dish.

Pitaya juice

Possibly served as an exotic salad, the peel will be an exclusive dish, and other ingredients should be added to the pulp, but not too harsh in taste, so as not to dull the taste of the pitaya itself.

Pitahaya juice and pulp are used in a variety of exotic cocktails and soft drinks. For example, for a refreshing cocktail, mix dragon fruit juice with green lime juice, or lemon in a pinch, but the former is better. Widely used in local winemaking. Also, various jams, jellies or preserves can be prepared from these fruits, they can be added to sauces or gravy, milk yogurts, sherbets and ice cream can be prepared. The flowers themselves are roasted or brewed into an aromatic flower tea.

As you can see, the use in the food industry is quite wide, both the peel (for decoration) and the pulp, and the juice, and even unripe fruits – inflorescences are used.

Health benefits of dragon fruit

Pitahaya has a lot of health benefits. The biggest plus is the low calorie content. It is very well absorbed, therefore it is recommended for intestinal diseases.

Dragon heart vitamins

Dragon eye fruit contraindications and harm

Dragon fruit flower

As some kind of exotic fruit, it can cause allergic reactions, so people especially suffering from it should eat dragon heart with caution. If after taking the negative consequences did not arise, then you can easily begin to actively enjoy this wonderful fruit.

If you have chronic diseases of various kinds, we recommend that you consult with an experienced specialist before taking pitaya, in order to avoid negative emotions.

If you eat a lot of red fruits at once, you may experience a slight red staining of urine and poop, which is completely harmless.

Use with caution in young children to avoid diathesis or distress.

In general, as such, there are no contraindications from a scientific point of view. You just need to start eating slowly and slowly.

How to choose and save a pitahaya

How to choose a pitahaya

If you want to buy an exotic wonder, follow a few simple rules so as not to be immediately disappointed.

• Look at the color of the skin, it should be bright in color and without suspicious dark spots. This indicates that the fruit is already overripe.
• Quality dragon fruit will be slightly soft, like a ripe kiwi, but not sour. Too hard is also not good, but in extreme cases it can be left to ripen in the refrigerator.
• Dry growths of the leaves indicate that the fruit has been stored for a long time after picking. But the fresher the pitaya, the more useful substances in itself it can convey to you.

Recent studies have shown that this exotic fruit can relieve stomach pain and is very beneficial for diabetics.

So, the dragon’s eye is not only a healthy and tasty vitamin product, but it will also bring purely aesthetic pleasure from contemplating and eating such an unusual and unusual species for us.

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Dragonfruit is quite rare in countries other than where it grows. This is due to the fact that this fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 week. In addition, this exotic fruit does not tolerate transportation very well, especially for long distances. Thanks to such a negative set, the dragon fruit, if it hits the shelves of our country, it becomes very expensive.

• Description and origin of the dragon eye fruit
• Dragon eye fruit composition
• Principal species and varieties of dragon heart fruit
• How to eat pitahaya?
• Health benefits of dragon fruit
• Harm and contraindications of dragon’s eye
• How to choose the right fruit?

This exotic fruit has many names that will be used in this article. Let’s take a closer look at what this fruit is.

Description and origin of dragon eye fruit

Pitahaya is native to America, as the first mention of this fruit can be found in the ancient history of the Aztecs. The Indians were very fond of eating dragon heart fruit due to its taste and the ability to quench thirst, since pitahaya consists of 85% water. Currently, pitahaya is widespread throughout East Asia, and also grows in Mexico, Japan, China, Australia and even Israel.

One ancient legend says that the name Pitahaya got due to its scales, which outwardly resemble the scales of mythical dragons. This legend also says that this dragon’s heart was obtained from a slain dragon. Thanks to the love for this fruit, all these mythical creatures were defeated. Thus, an everlasting memory of the life of dragons on earth appeared.

The plants on which these fruits grow, are climbing cacti , on the edges of the thorny branches of which juicy fruits of various colors are formed and poured with juice.

Very interesting is the fact that full opening of flowers occurs only at night . Hanging white flowers are very fragrant, and when they fade, the ovary of the fruit is formed, this period takes about one month and a half.

Currently, there are special industrial farms for the cultivation of pitahaya, which can harvest 6 crops in 1 season.

Composition of dragon’s eye fruit

Per 100 g of fruit pulp:

• 0.5 g of fat;
• 0.5 g proteins;
• 13 g carbohydrates;
• Vitamins of group B1, B2, B3, C, PP;
• Fruit acids;
• Antioxidants;
• A variety of useful minerals: calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and others.

In addition, the fruits have a fairly low calorie content, which is about 50 kilocalories per 100 g of product.

Main types and varieties of dragon heart fruit

Depending on the variety, these fruits may differ in size, skin structure, skin color, flesh color. There may be small bulges on top, the structure of the skin resembles pineapple or natural scales, thanks to which this fruit got the name dragon.

These fruits are very useful for those people who follow a dietary diet. On this fruit crop, you can arrange various fasting days for yourself.

Pitahaya has gained popularity thanks to its three types, which are the most popular and delicious:

• Pitahaya white . In Vietnam, this species is called dragon. This variety is the most exotic and popular. The fruit has a pink peel with red scales, the flesh inside is white, very soft, with a pleasant aroma and taste. The pulp contains a large number of black seeds.
• Red Pitahaya . This species is also called Costa Rican pitaya. The skin of the fruit is bright pink, the flesh is creamy red with an even richer flavor. Inside the pulp contains black seeds, like the usual kiwi.
• Yellow Pitahaya . This species is often referred to as the prickly pear. Externally, the fruit is a bright yellow lemon in large pimples. Inside the fruit contains white pulp with multiple black seeds. This species is considered the most fragrant and sweet.

As for the weight of the fruit, it can be very diverse, ranging from 150 g to 800 g. You can even meet such giants, whose weight is measured in kilograms. The fruit has a very soft skin that can be easily removed with a sharp knife. Depending on the subspecies, the taste of fruits differs among themselves, it is quite tender and slightly sweet. Some consider pitahaya to be fresh. But there are practically no people who would not like this fruit.

What is the right way to eat pitahaya?

Due to their bright appearance, these fruits are often used to decorate holiday tables. It is recommended to serve dragon fruit chilled so that its taste qualities are more pronounced and tender. Multiple black seeds in the pulp are quite useful, but they must be chewed thoroughly during use, as they are long and difficult to digest.

Fruits can be cut lengthwise into two equal parts and invite guests to simply enjoy the taste of chilled fruit. Pitahaya can also be cut into several pieces, like melon or watermelon . This fruit can be combined with other fruits that contrast in color and taste.

Some people drop pitahaya in the form of an exotic salad , and the peel of the fruit acts as an exclusive dish. This fruit is usually paired with other ingredients that are not too harsh in terms of flavor, to dull the taste of the pitaya itself for me.

Fruit pulp also used for the manufacture of various exotic cocktails , as well as soft drinks. For example, to prepare a refreshing cocktail, you need to mix dragon fruit juice with green lime or lemon juice.

Pitahaya is widely used in the production of wine . In addition, various jams, jams, jellies are prepared from dragon fruit, added to sauces or gravy, milk yogurts, ice cream and sherbet are made. The flowers themselves can be roasted and brewed into a fragrant flower tea.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the use of dragon fruit in the food industry is quite wide, both pulp and peel are included. Even the inflorescence found its use.

Useful properties of dragon fruit

Pitahaya has a lot of various useful properties. The main advantage of the fruit is its low calorie content. This product is quite well absorbed, so it is recommended to use it for intestinal diseases.

• The composition of the fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C , and this is the first remedy during colds, and also raises the shaken immunity of the body.
• Due to the high content of fiber fruits will help in regulating intestinal problems, as well as remove unnecessary toxins and waste from the body. Pitahaya contains lipids that help get rid of accumulated extra pounds. Due to this property, dragon fruit is often used during the preparation of a dietary diet and for regular fasting days. Fruits help people suffering from diabetes, while improving the state of the endocrine system and lowering blood sugar readings.
• As mentioned earlier, the fruit contains a large amount of vitamins B1, B2, B3 , which ensures normal cellular metabolism, the functioning of the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and the brain.
• Pitahaya is rich in antioxidants , which are natural enemies of free radicals that promote the formation of cancer cells and accelerate aging.
• Seeds contain tannin , which has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, as well as an antidote for lead or mercury poisoning.
• Due to the content of phosphorus pitahaya is able to ensure the normal development of dental and bone tissue.
• Due to the high content of vitamins, fruit acids and minerals, this fruit can be used to make face masks. Dragon fruit masks are able to tone the skin, help to become elastic and hydrated, and also saturate the face with vitamins. The pulp of the fruit is very useful after a long exposure to the sun.

Harm and contraindications of the dragon’s eye

Despite the large number of useful properties, this exotic fruit can cause allergic reactions, so people who suffer from this should use this product with caution. If after eating the fruit there are no negative consequences, then you can begin to actively enjoy this unusual fruit without any fear.

People who have various chronic diseases should definitely consult with an experienced specialist before consuming the fruit in order to avoid negative emotions.

If you eat a lot of fruit at a time, your urine and feces may turn red, which is completely harmless to the body.

As for young children, dragon fruit should be given with care so as not to get upset or diathesis.

From a scientific point of view, there are no special contraindications for pitahaya. The use of fruits should begin slowly and slowly.

How to choose the right fruit?

If you are buying this exotic delicacy for the first time, then you need to follow a few rules:

• Pay attention to the color of the peel, it should be a bright shade without any spots.