Get to know how to prepare dragon fruit so you can continue enjoying this unique tropical treat for years to come!
Dragon fruit may seem intimidating at first sight with its striped peel and leafy “dragon scales,” but once you understand how to prepare this tropical fruit, adding it into your diet won’t be a hassle.
Enjoy dragon fruit in salads, smoothies and ice creams or puree it for use as a dessert topping. Get to know how to prepare dragon fruit so you can continue enjoying this unique tropical treat for years to come!
About Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is packed full of antioxidants and nutrients that support the immune system as well as brain function. These compounds work to boost mental clarity and boost memory.
High in fiber, this tropical fruit may help promote weight loss, promote bowel health, regulate sugar levels and enhance your gut microbiome.
How to Prepare Dragon Fruit
How to Pick
Picking dragon fruit is easy; simply turn it a few times and pull gently. Alternatively, you can remove the thorns using pliers or a brush.
When determining whether a dragon fruit is ripe, look for brightly-colored skin without brown spots on either the exterior or scales. Splotchy or overripe fruit could indicate spoilage or overripe conditions.
When a dragon fruit is fully ripe, its flesh should feel soft and tender when you press it with your thumb. The outer shell should be an intense pink or golden hue with no visible blemishes or knife marks.
Another way to identify ripe dragon fruit is by watching for its sides, or “wings,” to wither and fall off. This indicates that the fruit is ready for harvesting and consumption.
How to Peel
Dragon fruit (also known as pitaya or strawberry pear) is a tropical fruit that’s mildly sweet and packed with antioxidants. Not only does it contribute to your healthy diet, but it makes for an irresistible snack or dessert as well.
Dragon fruit can easily be cut up and peeled at home with ease. Simply slice it in half lengthwise, use your hands to peel away the skin, or scoop out the flesh with a spoon – just like with avocados or kiwis!
Ripe dragon fruit should have a bright, smooth skin with minimal blemishes or marks on its exterior. Look for one without any blotches or blemishes on its skin as well as free from dried out leaves and stems. If it feels mushy or soft to you, it’s probably overripe and should be discarded.
How to Cut
Dragon fruit’s sweet flesh makes it a delicious addition to smoothies and fruit bowls. Additionally, dragon fruit is low in calories and packed with beneficial nutrients.
A 100-gram serving of dragon fruit contains 60 calories, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fat.
To start cutting a dragon fruit, split it in two. Doing this allows you to peel away the skin quickly and slice or cube it for your recipes.
To do this, place one half of the fruit flat-side down on your cutting board. With a knife, make a long, straight cut down the center of each half.
Once you’re finished, use a spoon to scrape away the flesh from its outer shell. You can either keep this skin and enjoy it, or discard it altogether.
Once your fruit has ripened, you can either cut it into cubes or wedges, or create melon balls for easy addition to a smoothie or smoothie bowl.
How to Store
Ripe dragon fruit is both a sweet treat and packed with antioxidants. It has been said to aid digestion, reduce acne, wrinkles, and aging signs alike.
Once your dragon fruit has been cut, it’s best to freeze it. Place in either a freezer-safe container or on a baking sheet layered with parchment paper for quick freezing.
Freezing dragon fruit helps shield it from the sun and keeps it crisp for longer. It’s an ideal way to store dragon fruit without compromising its flavor or texture over time.
At room temperature, ripe dragon fruit will only last one or two days before spoiling. To slow the rate of breakdown and extend its shelf life, keep it in the refrigerator.
Can We Eat Dragon Fruit Raw?
Yes, dragon fruit can be consumed raw. The vitamins and antioxidants found in dragon fruit, which is low in calories and fat free, may have a number of health benefits.
The most common way to serve it is raw, but it can also be grilled or added to other dishes like ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, and cocktails.
Although eating dragon fruit seems to be safe for most people, in rare instances, some people may experience an allergic reaction.
What Is the Best Way to Eat Dragon Fruit?
A ripe dragon fruit with bright red, uniformly pigmented skin that yields slightly when squeezed is the best kind to eat. By cutting the fruit in half with a sharp knife, you may easily get through tough fruit.
Peel the fruit’s skin and cut the pulp into small pieces to eat the fruit directly off the skin with a spoon. You can eat dragon fruit by itself or in balanced meals along with other foods.
In addition, it may be added to salads, yogurt, or cocktails or mocktails, or blended into smoothies, yogurt, or salads. The usage of dragon fruit in your skincare routine is another option.
The low calorie content of dragon fruit, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, may help you lose weight. However, to confirm this potential advantage, additional study is required.
