It’s also known by the name “pitaya.”. Ready to get a little adventurous? Dragonfruit tastes like an unholy offspring of a kiwi and a glass of sugar-water. Policy. If you haven’t heard of dragon fruit, it’s time to up your knowledge about one of this year’s must-eat superfoods. “Fiber, may benefit gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health,” notes Ilic. Hylocereus costaricensis: purple/red flesh and pink/red skin We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Dragon fruit is a nutritious — not to mention vibrant — fruit that can benefit your body and your taste buds, says registered dietitian Mira Ilic, MS, RDN, LD. The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. How Much Oatmeal Do You Need to Eat to Lower Your Cholesterol? Much like an avocado, you eat the flesh and discard the skin. Magnesium (important for cell function, and dragon fruit provides 18% of the recommended daily amount). Red dragon fruit is sweeter and tastes like raspberries. Learn the nutritional benefits of this colorful food. Hylocereus Megalanthus: white flesh with yellow skin 3. Lycopene (may improve heart health and reduce cancer risk). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Inside, it has white flesh with tiny black seeds. Health Benefits and Side Effects…, Top 20 Antihistamine Foods that Help Fight Inflammation. To best enjoy dragon fruit’s taste, choose a dragon fruit that has even-colored skin; if its leaves are very dry or brown or its skin is filled with blotches of color, then it is overripe. All rights reserved. Peel and cut it into sections when you’re ready to eat it. People who eat whole, fiber-rich foods are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.”. An essential fatty acid, oleic acid is known to help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “high”) cholesterol. Inside, you’ll also find lots of tiny black seeds, which are also edible. In Taiwan, doctors prescribe patients dragon fruits to help control blood sugar levels and regulate diabetes. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Hylocereus undatus: white flesh with pink/red skin (most popular in Australia) 2. Should You Cancel Your Holiday Gatherings This Year Because of COVID? Dragon fruit is a brightly colored, interesting-looking fruit that is grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. While you may just want to enjoy dragon fruit’s taste, you’ll be getting much more than that when you eat this fruit. The fruits are unusual in appearance, but the colors are quite attractive. What does pink dragon fruit taste like? Why Pomegranates Are Such a Healthy Fruit, How an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Can Relieve Pain as You Age, How to Help Your Kids Avoid Dangerous Diet Fads. A dietitian breaks it down. Fitness, health and wellness tips sent to you weekly. To pick one out, Ilic recommends trusting your gut. Dragon fruits come in beautiful, bright colors: pink skin with white flesh, pink skin with red flesh, and yellow skin with white flesh. While the name may not indicate it, dragon fruit actually comes from the cactus plant. If you can’t find dragon fruit in your local supermarket, you may have better luck in a specialty food store or Asian market. The seeds have a nutty flavor. The daily recommendation for adults is at least 25 grams — and dragon fruit packs 7 grams in a single 1-cup serving. Where to find it: Well-stocked grocery stores and Asian markets. Here’s how to incorporate dragon fruit into your diet when it’s in season from summer to early fall. Dragon fruit is juicy with a slightly sweet taste that some describe as a cross between a kiwi, a pear, and a watermelon. “It’s a tropical fruit that comes from a cactus. And all of that crashes to the ground as soon as you taste it, because the best-looking fruit in the world is also one of the most bland. Dragon fruit is used to flavor and color juices and alcoholic beverages, such as "Dragon's Blood Punch" and the "Dragotini". While the flesh of dragon fruit does not have any fat, the seeds and center contain some healthy monounsaturated fats and protein. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Colorful red and green cactus fruit with white flesh spotted with tiny black seeds, similar in texture to a kiwifruit. Dragon fruit is native to Mexico but is now grown across Latin America and in Asia. “Some studies appeared to show that dragon fruit promoted the growth of healthy gut bacteria,” says Ilic. Dragon fuit is a fruit that grows on several species of cactus that are native to Mexico, Central, and South America. Sources: Do Face Mask Brackets Work — And Are They Safe? We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Copyright © 2020 - FoodsForBetterHealth. Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2020. “If you like kiwi fruit and pears, then you’ll probably like dragon fruit. You could also cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon or melon baller. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at Malaysia University, half of the seeds of a single dragon fruit contain oleic acid. “Fiber is also filling, which is helpful if you’re trying to lose weight. You can’t miss dragon fruit — it’s the vibrant pink smoothie ingredient that’s all over Instagram. It’s sweet and crunchy.”. There is a slight difference in taste of the different varieties of dragon fruits. Pink dragon fruits have a light and refreshing flavor with a hint of tang. Iron (important for healthy blood and energy, and dragon fruit contains 8% of the recommended daily intake). If it’s overly firm, you can still bring it home and leave it on your counter to ripen.”. Food ruts happen. You can eat the flesh as it is or cut it up into quarters. Its taste has been described as a slightly sweet cross between a kiwi and a pear. There are several varieties of different colors. CORONAVIRUS: UPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS, INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES + COVID-19 TESTING. Dragon fruit may look exotic, but its flavors are similar to other fruits. Dragon fruit is best eaten raw, but you can throw it on the grill like some other fruits. “It should be slightly soft when you’re testing it with your finger. Zero acidity, very little flavor, just a slight sweetness. http://valyaboutenko.com/how-to-choose-the-tastiest-dragon-fruit/. Need help getting out of it? Dragon fruits come in a variety of shapes and colors: The flesh of the dragon fruit is low in calories and fat-free. What does red dragon fruit taste like? “Follow your fruit know-how,” she says. Valya, “HOW TO CHOOSE THE TASTIEST DRAGON FRUIT,” Valyaboutenko web site, May 03, 2014; Enjoy it on its own or add it to: “Once you cut it up, wrap it tightly and put it in your fridge,” says Ilic. Also make sure to peel or cut off the skin. Policy. The seed oil contains the fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. The red flesh fruit is richer in antioxidants and has a high content of soluble fiber. Dragon fruit is a nutritious — not to mention vibrant — fruit that can benefit your body and your taste buds, says registered dietitian Mira Ilic, MS, RDN, LD. For some people dragon fruit tastes like a mix between a pear and a kiwi and for other like kiwi and melon.