The exotic looking dragon fruit might look like a pretty pink grenade, but inside this dragonesque fruit is a soft sweet flesh that is surprisingly satisfying.
This exotic fruit is quite healthy being low in calories and full of vitamin c and fiber. You might even say it’s a superfruit. Although the fruit might look intimidating, you can safely eat the soft flesh and seeds inside. The skin can be saved and used as a bowl or glass.
In this fruit salad, papaya, oranges, and blueberries make a yummy complement to dragon fruit slices.
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What does dragon fruit taste like?
Dragon fruit tastes like a mild sweet kiwi. The texture of the fruit is very soft and it’s easy to scoop directly out of the skin with a spoon.
The flesh is full of tiny black seeds that are usually consumed with the fruit. The seeds are crunchy, and it’s a nice contrast to the softness of the flesh.
Do red and white dragon fruit taste the same?
The flavor of a dragon fruit is highly dependent on the variety and conditions under which it was grown. Some varieties of dragon fruit have white flesh while others are bright pink to red.
They all have the same general flavor, but some are sweeter than others. Commercially grown fruits are picked too early sometimes which makes them very bland.
You may have even bought one from the grocery store that frankly had no flavor at all. However, homegrown dragon fruit is much sweeter.
How to eat a dragon fruit
Although the skin of the dragon fruit may look scary, it’s actually quite soft to the touch. The spikes on the fruit are not spiny but soft.
You should be able to slice a whole dragon fruit in half easily with a knife. The simplest way to eat the dragon fruit is simply to scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
For a refreshing snack, try chilling a whole dragon fruit in your fridge for a couple of hours. Once it’s cool, slice your fruit in half and eat it with a spoon. It tastes almost like sherbet.
How to choose a ripe dragon fruit
A dragon fruit is ripe when it has bright pink or yellow color on the outside and the spines on the skin are soft and brown. It should have a fresh fruity scent similar to other tropical fruits.
When you pick up the fruit and gently squeeze it, it should be a little soft but not squishy. And there should not be any brown or mushy spots on the skin.
As the fruit becomes overripe, rotten spots develop on the skin as well as in the flesh you see after it’s cut. You will recognize underripe fruits by uneven color with bits of unripe green skin.
23 tasty dragon fruit recipes
The mild creamy sweetness really needs no improvements, but it also goes well with many other fruits and flavors. You can use dragon fruit in a fruit salad, salsa, cocktail or smoothie.
Take a look at these 23 recipes that highlight the delicious flavor of dragon fruit.
Dragon fruit salads and salsas
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Blackberry, Mango, Dragon Fruit, Blueberry, and Kiwi Fruit Salad
👩🏼🍳Make it : https://t.co/GtPKK4q0pM pic.twitter.com/eSoMFTzLoC— 🍷Chef’s Life 🍲 (@MyLifeInKitchen) July 18, 2017
- Dragon fruit breakfast parfait.
- Dragon fruit salsa with cilantro and lime
- Dragon fruit salsa with avocados
- Patriotic fruit salad
Dragon fruit smoothies
What’s in my hot pink smoothie: bananas, dragon fruit, coconut water, vanilla powder and topped with hemp seeds pic.twitter.com/U6HqZhB2L0
— Vegan Tiandra (@vegantiandra) August 30, 2017
- Coconut chia dragon fruit smoothie jars
- Dragon fruit smoothie
- Dragon fruit smoothie bowls
- Dragon fruit goji berry smoothie
Dragon fruit desserts
#Vegan Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars 🍰 from @choosingchia https://t.co/1PXjt0bBZm pic.twitter.com/CEw4qGpoGS
— TruVeganic (@TruVeganic) February 25, 2017
- Vegan dragon fruit cheesecake bars
- Dragon fruit jam
- Dragon fruit coconut treats
- Dragon fruit macaroons
- Pink dragon fruit layer cake
Frozen dragon fruit treats
Feeling the need for a tropical moment this winter? Turn up the heat and enjoy Dragon Fruit Banana Sherbet: https://t.co/VJorbxyh3W #ExoticFruit pic.twitter.com/6WC7uPHkqd
— Health Alliance (@Health_Alliance) December 17, 2017
Dragon fruit cocktails
- Dragon fruit vodka cocktail
- Dragon fruit margarita
- Frozen pineapple dragon fruit margarita
- Dragon fruit mojitos
Virgin dragon fruit drinks
When life gives you lemons, grab some Pitaya and make Dragon Fruit Pink Lemonade!
Recipe – https://t.co/Vulw7xlS0C pic.twitter.com/fASrGh4xwo
— Pitaya Plus (@pitayaplus) August 16, 2016
- Tropical detox water (for the morning after cocktails)
- Dragon fruit lemonade
So what is your favorite way to eat dragon fruit?
Leave me a comment and share your recipe!
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