It wasn’t too long ago when the dragon fruit had taken everyone by storm. Everyone wanted to know more about this enticing fruit. Well, here we are, with everything that you need to know about it.
Where did it come from?
This fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya originated in Central America and some parts of Mexico. It is a part of the cactus family. Some people also call it the strawberry pear, because of its appearance. We think that dragon fruit is the coolest name out of all.
It is deep red with green scales, and the inside is white and pulpy with numerous black seeds. Interesting fruit for sure!
Another variety of this fruit is yellow and green on the outside while the insides are the same. However the former is the most common one.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
While it looks as exotic as they come, one can imagine the taste of this fruit to be something in between a kiwi and a pear. Some people have also compared it to litchis, but we’d like to let you know that if you bite in a dragon fruit with that mindset, you will be disappointed. Dragon fruits are not sweet. Their consistency may be a little like litchis mixed with pineapples but the taste as mentioned above is like something akin to kiwis and pears.
Nutritional benefits of dragon fruit
The dragon fruit is low in calories, probably the reason why health freaks use it in salads, and other dishes. It has high water content and is a storehouse of many different nutrients.
It has vitamin C, magnesium, iron and protein in decent amounts.
If we assess the ratio of calories to all the nutrients, we can confidently say that the dragon fruit is a nutritionally dense fruit to eat.
The dragon fruit also has a lot of antioxidants that are required by your body. These antioxidants include betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids.
Antioxidants help keep your body clean from the inside which eventually reflects on your skin and hair. While the amount of these antioxidants isn’t a lot, you can still gain some of the benefits if you eat them regularly.
Health benefits
Dragon fruit has various health benefits. Research has shown that it helps in reducing insulin resistance and also lowers liver fat. Both of these are promising developments.
This fruit also changes your gut bacteria orientation which helps reduce inflammation. Eating dragon fruit after a hearty lunch will make you feel better.
As for other benefits, various studies are still being conducted. It has been seen that if tapped into the potential of dragon fruit with the right means, we will be able to find more cures to diabetes. As it also affects your liver in a good way, there are lots of studies to be done in that department as well.
How to recognise a good dragon fruit
Just like other fruitsa, dragon fruits also have a tell. The outer cover should be rich in colour and when you press on it slightly, you should be able to feel it get pressed under stress.
The taste should be a little on the tangy side and it should smell watery.
How to eat dragon fruit
While the best way is to just cut it up and eat it with a spoon, some recipes include this fruit that you can make easily at home.
Dragon fruit smoothie
One of the easiest ways to eat the dragon fruit is by making a smoothie out of it.
Peel the outer layer and cut up the flesh and use it with other berries. Voila, you have one of the tastiest berry smoothies! You can drink it in the morning before your gym or as an accompaniment to your breakfast.
One of the best pairings of this fruit is with banana. Other options include pairing it with kale, cherries, melons and other such fruits.
Fruit Salad
Dragon fruit can be used in salads. Chop up other various tropical fruits and combine them all for a refreshing late afternoon snack. You can also add greek yoghurt on top of it to make it even more delicious.
Muesli
Adding dragon fruit to muesli along with your regular ingredients will add the right amount of pulp, tanginess and water content to your food. As you can see, fruit is a fruity breakfast option in many ways.
Pink dragon fruit soda
If you want to add more fun to your summer parties, this is the drink to add. Just use lemon, dragon fruit, soda and syrup and mix it up to get a new pink drink for the summer. And yes, if you are into alcohol pair it up with a nice vodka to get your tropical summer going.
Dragon fruit pudding
This is probably our favourite off the list. Making your healthy pudding at home is surely rewarding.
All you have to do is combine all your pudding ingredients with dragon fruit. You can also pair it with mango or rambutan. Make sure you let it chill for about four hours before digging in for the perfect taste!
Dragon fruit salsa
Yes, you read that right. Don’t hate it till you try it. Combine this fruit, onions, cilantro and lime juice and dip your chips in it. The taste will take you by surprise!
We hope you try these recipes and see how varied the fruit is for you.
Feeding your child dragon fruit will not just increase their food palette but also make them hydrated and get their intake of iron and magnesium. It is a very safe fruit and there have only been two cases of allergies in women who had repressed genes in them already.
If you have been looking to try something natural but new this summer, this is your call. Get a fruit and slay it right away.