Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or the strawberry pear, is a beautiful tropical fruit that is sweet and crunchy. The plant the fruit comes from is actually a type of cactus of the genus Hylocereus, which includes about 20 different species.

Is dragonfruit a berry?

Only a pollinated flower yields a dragon fruit, a fleshy berry with leathery, scaled skin. The dragon fruit most commonly seen in US grocery stores, H. undatus, has a reddish exterior and white pulp dotted with a multitude of tiny seeds.

What fruit family is dragon fruit in?

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), an important tropical fruit belonging to the family Cactaceae, is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, dietary fibres and antioxidants.

Is dragon fruit a melon?

The once lesser-known fruit has white flesh, black seeds, and a somewhat melon-like texture —but isn’t quite as sweet as some of the other tropical fruits taking smoothies by storm.

Is dragon fruit a flower?

Dragon fruit flower, also called Pitaya [pit-EYE-ah], is an exotic fruit cactus with colorful leaves, flowers, and fruits. Pitaya typically refers to the fruit of a genus columnar – Stenocereus which has a prominent exterior with scaly spikes. Dragon fruit flowers have a few common names as follows: Red Pitahaya.

Is dragon fruit a hybrid fruit?

The pink variegated lemon, the baby kiwi and the purple-fleshed dragon fruit are specialty fruits — not hybrids. They are a mix of tropical, hybrid and specialty fruits, not just tropical and hybrid fruits.

Is dragon fruit a citrus fruit?

The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is not citrus. It is a tropical fruit that belongs to the climbing cacti (Cactaceae) family. Widely cultivated in Vietnam, the fruit is popular in Southeast Asia. The dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus.

Is dragon fruit allergic?

Dragon fruit is generally safe to eat, although studies have reported isolated allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue, hives, and vomiting. This type of reaction seems to be very rare.

Is dragon fruit skin edible?

From a nutritional standpoint, dragon fruit skin can be eaten. It has been reported that the fruit tastes like a cross between a watermelon and a kiwi. It could be said that the fruit has a tropical taste. The texture of the dragon fruit changes the perception that people have on the taste of the fruit.

Is Blue dragon fruit real?

The blue dragon fruit with red flesh is rich in vitamins and nutrition. Nhung’s family is growing seedlings to sell to other households in the district. Many families that have hilly land have shifted from growing cassava to growing dragon plants.

Why is it called dragon fruit?

The name ‘dragon fruit’ is derived from its unique appearance, where the spikes resemble fire and the scales resemble that of a dragon, as depicted in Chinese mythology.

Why is dragon fruit red?

The bright magenta flesh of the Red Dragon fruit is the result of a compound called betacyanin, which is the same pigment present in beets and prickly pear fruit. The pulp has the texture of a kiwi fruit, with small, black edible seeds throughout.

Can babies eat dragonfruit?

You may introduce dragon fruit as soon as your baby is ready for solids, which is generally around 6 months old. Dragon fruit is soft and should be relatively easy for your baby to hold and eat.

Can dogs eat dragon fruit?

In short, your pooch can safely eat dragon fruit as it is completely non-toxic to dogs! This is great news for your dog, because it is sweet, yummy, and packed full of nutrients. Dragon fruit has some great health benefits for your dog, as well as humans, so you can enjoy this snack together.

Are Kiwis and dragon fruit related?

Dragon fruit has a sweet, delicate taste that could be characterized as “tropical.” It has been described as a cross between kiwi and pear, or kiwi and watermelon. The texture is somewhat creamy with little seeds, similar to that of kiwifruit.