It grows on vining cactus plants of theHylocereusorSelenicereusgenus.
Dragon fruit grows to the size of a baseball.
It is covered with pointy green shoots resembling a dragon’s spikes.
Huizeng Hu / Getty Images
While you might’t consume the skin of a dragon fruit, its juicy flesh is tasty.
Dragon fruit provides many nutrients with few calories.
It can be eaten raw or cooked in many ways.
Boosts Your Immune System
Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
It also contains vitamin B and minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
Its benefits may also lower total cholesterol, includinglow-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol(bad cholesterol).
Helps Digestion
Dragon fruit is rich indietary fiberand is made up of oligosaccharides.
Evidence shows that extract from red dragon fruit may help prevent and treat breast cancer.
These nutrients may also help repair cell damage and help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Characteristics such as taste, sweetness, skin color, and flesh texture can vary by species.
There are many varieties of each species.
Some varieties may be slightly sour.
The texture of a dragon fruit is comparable to a ripe pear or kiwi.
It can be a little grainy and somewhat crunchy with a slightly watery quality.
Flavor can vary with the color of the flesh.
White dragon fruit typically has a mild taste.
Darker, redder dragon fruit flesh tends to be juicier and sweeter.
Underripe dragon fruit can taste bland.
Ripe dragon fruit is firm but will give under pressure, similar to a ripe avocado.
It should be heavy for its size and show no signs of bruises.
Dragon fruit is commonly consumed raw.
To slice dragon fruit, cut it in half and slice each section.
you might also cut off the rind from each side.
Or, you’re able to scoop the flesh with a spoon and slice it into bite-size pieces.
Dragon fruit does not continue ripening once it is picked.
Most dragon fruit can last up to four weeks when stored in containers in the refrigerator.
The fruit will last four to five days at room temperature.
The primary season for dragon fruit is June through September.
However, some varieties thrive during the winter months of November through February.
Dragon fruit is native to Mexico and is grown in Central America and South America.
Countries producing the most dragon fruit in these regions are Nicaragua and Ecuador.
Dragon fruit is also grown in Asia; Vietnam is the region’s top producer.
Other countries that produce dragon fruit include Israel and Australia.
In the United States, dragon fruit is imported primarily from Southeast Asia.
It is oval, baseball-sized, and grows on vining cactus plants.
The flesh ranges from white to red, while the skin is often pink, red, or yellow.
All types of dragon fruit have tiny, edible black seeds on the flesh.
The low-calorie dragon fruit is packed with nutrients.
It can help improve your heart health, immune system, digestion, and skin health.
It can also provide health benefits to people with key in 2 diabetes.
Dragon fruit is rarely linked to allergies.
However, when too much is consumed, some people may have adverse effects.
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