Recipes & Cooking How to Cook Fruits & Vegetables How to Eat Dragon Fruit and Why You Should Try It Discover how to choose, cut, and enjoy this tropical fruit at its juicy best. By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 29, 2023 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Even if you've never had dragon fruit, you've probably seen this eye-catching produce in a supermarket or as part of a fruit salad. This hard-to-miss tropical fruit is available with either a vibrant hot pink, green-spiked skin or a yellow dragon fruit skin (both of which are edible, but not recommended). The inner flesh of the fruit is purple, white, or red and spiked with tiny black seeds (completely edible). If you've been too intimidated to try this otherworldly-looking fruit, hesitate no more. We'll dive into the details of the fruit's flavor and nutritional value. We'll also break down how to pick a dragon fruit, how to cut one, and—most importantly—how to eat one. What Is Yellow Watermelon? Learn All About the Sweet Summer Fruit Rakratchada Torsap/EyeEm/Getty Images What is Dragon Fruit, Exactly? Dragon fruit (also known as pitaya or strawberry pear) is an oval-shaped, vibrantly-colored tropical fruit that grows on a family of cacti called Hylocereus. The fruit is native to Central America, but now ripe dragon fruit is grown, harvested, and enjoyed worldwide. One look at the pointy scales that flare out of the dragon fruit skin, and you can probably guess where the "dragon" part of the nickname comes from. However, the inside of ripe dragon fruit is beautifully sweet and similar in texture to kiwi flesh. The sweet and creamy yet crunchy flesh can be scooped out of the skin as a snack or incorporated into various dragon fruit recipes. So what does dragon fruit taste like? Some equate it to a mash-up of a kiwi, a pear, and a watermelon. Translation: Very delicious. Seasonal Easy-Peel Sumo Oranges are a Must-Try Sweet Citrus Fruit Dragon Fruit Varieties Keep your eye out for the four main varieties of dragon fruit. Pink skin with white flesh (Hylocereus undatus): The most common and least sweet style, this may be sold under names including Alice, Cosmic Charlie, David Bowie, Guyute, Harpua, L.A. Woman, Neitzel, Seoul Kitchen, Thomson, and Vietnamese Jaina. Pink skin with red or pink flesh (Hylocereus polyrhizus): Longer and sweeter than the white flesh kind, this dragon fruit might be located near signs reading Bloody Mary, Red Jaina, Voodoo Child, and Zamorano. Pink skin with purple flesh (Hylocereus guatemalensis): This stunning style is also sold as "American Beauty." Yellow skin with white flesh (Selenicereus megalanthus): The smallest and sweetest of the bunch, these are hardest to find—but worth seeking out. What Is Lychee? A Guide to the Delicately Sweet Tropical Fruit When is Dragon Fruit in Season? According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, June through September is prime time for fresh, ripe dragon fruit. Most varieties can be found at their best in August and September, although the yellow-skinned, white-fleshed type can be found occasionally during winter (mainly November through February). The fruit should be bright, evenly colored, and give just a little when touched—just like a fresh peach. 19 Vegetable Container Garden Ideas That Show Off Your Yield Dragon Fruit Health Benefits Dragon fruit is a good source of gut-healthy fiber and carries a solid dose of immune-supporting vitamin C. The fruit also boasts sleep-promoting magnesium and is one of the few plant sources of iron (among other vitamins and minerals). What's more, since dragon fruit (like most fruits) is mostly water, it offers a good dose of hydration. According to the USDA's FoodData Central database, a 3 ½-ounce serving of dragon fruit delivers: 60 calories0 g fat1 g protein13 g carbs3 g fiber8 g sugar3% of your daily vitamin C needs4 % of your daily iron needs10 % of your daily magnesium needs How to Cut Dragon Fruit Like other fruits (avocados, apples), dragon fruit is best when purchased whole and sliced just before eating. Store them on the counter until ready for use. If you have leftover sliced ripe dragon fruit, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Once it starts to brown or seems too mushy, compost or toss it. When you're ready to cut your dragon fruit, round up a cutting board and a sharp knife. Slice the fruit down the middle, stem to root, to create two halves. Then, using a spoon, trace around the inside of the skin to carve out the flesh. Flip the flesh out onto the cutting board, peek for any skin that's hanging on, and remove it if necessary. Otherwise, cube or slice the flesh to enjoy plain or utilize in one of the dragon fruit recipes below. For a unique presentation style, you can also use a melon baller to create round pieces that are perfect for popping into your mouth or tossing into a fruit salad. 33 Fruits and Veggies You Should Store in the Fridge and 7 You Shouldn't How to Eat Dragon Fruit Dragon fruit is often served raw but could make a complex and welcome addition to grilled fruit recipes. When raw, ripe dragon fruit is often used as part of a: Frozen dessert, such as sorbet. Cocktail (Dragon Fruit Sparkling Sangria, anyone?). Fruit salsa to scoop up with chips or use as a topping for tacos, fish entrées, or poke bowls. Smoothie or smoothie bowl. How to Grow Dragon Fruit from Seed Frequently Asked Questions What does dragon fruit taste like? Many describe the flavor of dragon fruit as a combination of pear and kiwi, with a touch of citrus. Dragon fruit is mildly sweet, with tender flesh that can be scooped with a spoon. Can you eat dragon fruit daily? Absolutely! Dragon fruit is a great source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, so there's no reason why you can't eat it every day if you enjoy it. One thing to remember: Dragon fruit is high in fiber, which can lead to gas, bloating, or cramping if eaten in too large quantities. Which color of dragon fruit has more health benefits? The pink dragon fruit with red flesh is the highest in betalains, which can reduce bad cholesterol. Yellow dragon fruit went viral on TikTok in 2023 for its high fiber content and supposed ability to relieve constipation. In reality, all types of dragon fruit are high in fiber. Other health claims about dragon fruit and its constipation-relieving powers have not been proven and should be discussed with your doctor. Was this page helpful? 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