These types of dragon fruit exist in various sizes, shapes, skin colors, flesh colors, and flavor profiles as well as varying degrees of endurance for the sun, heat, and cold.
Dragon fruit, a tropical fruit related to the cactus pear, has become widely grown around the world including Vietnam, Indonesia, Israel, the Philippines, Thailand and southern China.
They’re easy to grow and will add a stunning aesthetic to any fruit plate. Enjoy them raw, frozen or blended into smoothies – the possibilities are endless!
Different Types of Dragon Fruit
Red Dragon Fruit
The red-fleshed dragon fruit gets its natural red hue from betalains. Additionally, they boast heart-healthy lycopene content as well as vitamins C, calcium, and magnesium for added nutrition.
Dragon fruit can help manage blood sugar by stimulating insulin-producing cells in your pancreas, which helps to balance out highs from eating foods that spike glucose.
This is because dragon fruit contains high fiber content which slows carbohydrate absorption – thus maintaining stable glucose levels.
Dragon fruit offers another health advantage due to its antioxidants, including vitamin C and carotenoids. These can boost immunity levels and enable your body to fight infections more effectively.
When selecting a dragon fruit, it is essential to inspect its skin for bright, even color and no blemishes. If it looks too firm or hard, chances are it’s unripe.
White Dragon Fruit
White dragon fruit is a juicy, delicate fruit with an aromatic taste similar to kiwifruit. It boasts a smooth texture covered in tiny edible seeds and provides good amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, and iron.
Studies have suggested that high fiber diets may reduce the risk of colon cancer. Furthermore, studies have indicated that eating more fiber helps you feel full for longer between meals.
Dragon fruit is not only a great source of fiber, but it is also packed with vitamin C and betalains. These beneficial compounds boost your immunity by fighting infections and decreasing oxidative stress.
Red and white dragon fruits make delicious low-calorie fruit juices and smoothies, as well as providing an excellent source of vitamin C and carotenoids that offer anti-aging, cancer fighting, and free radical protection.
Yellow Dragon Fruit
Although most of us are familiar with the iconic red dragon fruit, there’s also a yellow variety available. This tasty and nutritious fruit provides ample dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C as well as small amounts of niacin.
It is an excellent source of antioxidants, fatty acids, and healthy fats. These nutrients help reduce oxidative stress while stimulating immune health.
Yellow dragon fruit not only makes for an irresistible snack, but it’s also perfect for smoothies, sorbet or granita and juicing. It has a sweet and refreshing taste with hints of berry.
To prepare a fresh dragon fruit, give it a good rinse and slice in half lengthwise. Then scoop out the flesh using a spoon – just like an avocado!
Purple Dragon Fruit
Purple dragon fruit is a cactus-based fruit that boasts numerous health advantages, such as reducing the risk of blood sugar spikes. Additionally, it helps with digestion and contains plenty of fiber content.
It can be used in a variety of recipes, such as smoothies and fruit salads. It may also be eaten raw or cooked as a snack.
This fruit is packed with calcium and magnesium – essential for bone health – as well as Vitamin B. This makes it beneficial for pregnant women since it increases energy levels and prevents birth defects.
The fruit is also packed with antioxidants, making it a powerful tool in combatting free radicals in the body that may lead to diseases like cancer. As such, fruit consumption should be encouraged for anyone looking to stay healthy.
These tropical fruits are grown mainly in Mexico and South America, but can be found in stores around the globe. They add a vibrant splash of color to any garden or edible landscape.
Which Type of Dragon Fruit Is Best?
The preferred variety of dragon fruit depends on personal taste. The sweetest type of dragon fruit is typically thought to be yellow dragon fruit (Hylocereus megalanthus). It is more juicier and sweeter than the red-skinned species while being smaller.
American Beauty, Colombiana, Dark Star, David Bowie, Delight, Halley’s Comet, scarlet dragon fruits (with vivid magenta flesh), and white-fleshed dragon fruits are some of the other well-known types (with an earthy flavor).
While certain types, such American Beauty, Lisa, Townsend Pink, Vietnam White, Ecuador Palora, Sugar Dragon, and Voodoo Child, self-pollinate, others, like Harpua, require cross-pollination and have a protracted ripening phase.
How to Cut Dragon Fruit
Cutting dragon fruit is similar to cutting an avocado; you remove the flesh from its skin, then cube or slice it up for enjoyment plain or use in recipes.
