The Nutritious and Antioxidant-Rich Black Dragon Fruit

An Introduction to Black Dragon Fruit

Black dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is an exotic and nutritious fruit that is gaining popularity around the world. With its deep purple skin and bright, sweetly flavored white flesh studded with edible black seeds, this fruit is truly a unique treat.

What is Black Dragon Fruit?

Black dragon fruit belongs to the cactus family and is native to Central and South America. The plant produces gorgeous magenta flowers that later develop into oval shaped fruit with leathery black skin. Inside each dragon fruit is a fleshy, seed-speckled pulp that can be white, red, or magenta depending on the variety.

Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

This exotic superfruit is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Black dragon fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin B3, iron, calcium, phosphorus, protein and fiber. It also contains beneficial antioxidants called betacyanins that give it the deep purple color. These antioxidants can help fight inflammation and provide many health advantages.

Weight Loss

With only 60 calories per serving, dragon fruit can be a smart addition to any weight loss diet. It is high volume and nutrient dense, helping you feel full and satisfied. The fiber content also helps regulate digestion. Additionally, the antioxidants may boost metabolism and fat burning.

Boosts Immunity

The high dose vitamin C content in black dragon fruit promotes a healthy immune system. Getting enough vitamin C reduces risk and severity of respiratory infections like the common cold. Vitamin C also helps your body heal wounds and repair tissue damage.

Heart Health

The nutrients and antioxidants in dragon fruit can help lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, reducing risk for heart disease. The fiber helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. And the betalain antioxidants provide anti-inflammatory effects and relax blood vessels, improving circulation.

How to Eat Black Dragon Fruit

While dragon fruit may look intimidating at first, it's quite easy to prepare. Here is a simple guide to cutting and enjoying this nutritious tropical fruit:

1. Cut in Half

First, use a sharp knife to slice the dragon fruit in half widthwise. You can also cut off both ends to create two rounds.

2. Scoop Out Flesh

Next, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and edible black seeds from both halves of the cut dragon fruit. There is no need to peel off the leathery skin.

3. Slice or Dice

Now you can dice up the scooped out flesh or slice it into strips to enjoy. You can also put the flesh and seeds in a blender to make a smoothie if desired.

4. Add to Favorite Recipes

Try adding dragon fruit pieces to fruit salads, yogurt bowls and oatmeal. You can also blend it into smoothies for a nutrition boost. For a unique salad, mix diced dragon fruit with avocado chunks, red onion and lime juice.

Where to Buy Dragon Fruit

Thanks to rising popularity, dragon fruit is now easier to find year round. Here are some tips on where to find it:

Specialty Grocers

Check the produce section of upscale grocery stores and health food markets. Many now carry fresh dragon fruit when in season.

Asian Markets

Asian food supermarkets will often stock tropical fruits like dragon fruit. Try your local Chinatown market.

Farmers Markets

In late summer and early fall, farmers markets in warmer climates may offer fresh dragon fruit from local orchards.

Online

You can order dragon fruit online to be shipped if you can't find it locally. There are several tropical fruit websites that sell and deliver fresh pitaya.

How to Grow Your Own

If you live in a warm climate with mild winters, you can even grow your own dragon fruit. Follow these simple tips for success:

Get a Cutting

Start with a fresh cutting from a mature dragon fruit cactus. Cuttings should be 20 inches long and contain 2-3 joints or stems.

Plant Cutting

Plant the dragon fruit cutting upright in a large container filled with fast draining potting mix. Compost works well too. Stake the cutting for extra support.

Care

Water young dragon fruit plants when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced fruiting plant fertilizer. Plants need ample sunlight.

Harvest

Dragon fruit is ready for harvest when the bracts begin to wither and peel back revealing ripe, mature fruit. Use pruning shears to carefully cut the fruits from the stems.

Dragon Fruit Recipes

Once you get your hands on some fresh dragon fruit, it's time to start enjoying it. Here are 3 delicious ways to eat black dragon fruit:

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl

Blend dragon fruit with banana, mango and coconut milk then top with homemade granola, sliced strawberries and toasted coconut.

Dragon Fruit Salsa

Mix diced dragon fruit with chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeo and lime juice for a unique salsa to enjoy with chips.

Dragon Fruit Sorbet

Puree sweet dragon fruit flesh with simple syrup and lemon juice then freeze for a refreshing, healthy frozen dessert.

Tips for Picking Ripe Dragon Fruit

Follow these helpful selecting tips to pick perfectly ripe fresh dragon fruit:

1. Choose Evenly Colored Fruit

Pick dragon fruits with an even, bright purple dark red skin. Avoid any with brown splotchy patches.

2. Feel for Some Give

Gently press along the body of the fruit. Ripe dragon fruit will have a slight give or softness.

3. Look for Shriveled Bracts

Check the tiny leaf-like bracts around the stem. Dry, shriveled bracts indicate mature, ripe fruit.

4. Use Soon After Picking

Dragon fruits last around 5-7 days at room temperature after picking. For best quality and taste, enjoy as soon as possible.

Storing Dragon Fruit

Follow these storage methods to keep your dragon fruit fresh for longer:

Short Term Storage

Keep whole, uncut dragon fruit at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Try to use within 5-7 days for peak flavor and texture.

Long Term Storage

Refrigerate cut dragon fruit in an airtight container. The sliced flesh will stay fresh for 2-3 days chilled.

Freezing

You can freeze dragon fruit flesh for later smoothies. Scoop flesh into freezer bags and lay flat to freeze. Frozen dragon fruit puree keeps 6-8 months.

Common Questions

What does dragon fruit taste like?

Dragon fruit has a very mild sweet taste. The flesh is slightly sweet and refreshing, similar to a kiwi or pear. Ripe red varieties tend to be sweeter than white.

Can you eat dragon fruit skin?

No, the leathery pink/purple skin and outer layer is not edible. Only the inside white or red fleshy part with seeds can be eaten raw or used for recipes.

Do dragon fruits need to be refrigerated?

Only once cut open. Whole, uncut dragon fruit can be left out at room temp for up to a week. Once sliced open, refrigerate cut dragon fruit in a container or bag.

Conclusion

Exotic black dragon fruit is more than just a pretty showpiece. This antioxidant-rich tropical fruit offers many nutritional perks from improving immunity and digestion to supporting weight goals. Try adding vibrant dragon fruit to your diet by blending into smoothies, whipping up homemade sorbets, baking into desserts or simply slicing up the fresh fruit. With proper storage, picking ripe specimens and creative recipe ideas, enjoying black dragon fruit is easy and delicious.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.