Dragon fruit pink inside

Podcasts

Food Buzz: History of Dragon Fruit     
Food Fable: Dragon Fruit     

Description/Taste

Red Dragon fruits are small to medium-sized varietals, averaging 4 to 9 centimeters in diameter, and have an oval to oblong shape. The fruit’s skin ranges in color from bright pink, fuchsia, to red-brown, and is semi-smooth and waxy, covered in fleshy, overlapping scales that showcase green tips. The curvy scales have a triangular shape, and Red Dragon fruit varieties typically have narrower scales. The thin skin can be easily peeled once sliced, revealing a dark red to crimson flesh containing many tiny, black, edible seeds. The flesh has a dense, semi-firm, and tender, aqueous consistency, contrasted with the crunchy, chewy seeds, creating a texture similar to kiwi fruit. Red Dragon fruit has little to no aroma and should appear taut, shiny, and brightly colored when ripe. The flesh has a delicate, sweet, earthy, and mildly acidic flavor combined with a faint nuttiness from the seeds.

Seasons/Availability

Red Dragon fruits are available year-round.

Current Facts

Red Dragon fruits, botanically a part of the Hylocereus genus, are exotic, tropical fruits belonging to the Cactaceae family. The fruits grow on a climbing cactus that develops long branches that travel along fences, scale walls, and wrap around trellises. Dragon fruits are native to Central and South America and are also known as Red Pitahaya or Red Pitaya. There are many different varieties of Red Dragon fruits, and the red cultivars are generally considered rarer than white and yellow types. Growers favor Red Dragon fruits for their pigmented flesh, sweet taste, higher flowering rate, and a larger quantity of fruit production. The fruits are often sold at higher, luxury prices in commercial markets and are consumed fresh, incorporated into raw dishes, cooked into sauces and syrups, or blended into desserts and cocktails. Red Dragon fruits include varieties known as Red Jaina Natural Mystic, Zamorano, Costa Rican sunset, and Strawberry Pear cactus, and the fruits are commercially sold fresh, frozen, and dried.

Nutritional Value

Red Dragon fruits are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and phosphorus to protect bones and teeth. The fruits also contain magnesium, iron, and are rich in betacyanins and lycopene, compounds that give the flesh its red pigment.

Applications

Red Dragon fruits have a mild, sweet, and subtly earthy flavor well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The fruits are traditionally consumed straight out of hand, cut in half, and scooped directly from the rind with a spoon. Many prefer to refrigate the fruits before eating, as chilling enhances the flesh’s flavor. Red Dragon fruits can also be sliced into fruit and acai bowls, tossed into salads, chopped into slaws, or combined with an acid, peppers, and spices to make a flavorful topping or side dish. Try incorporating Red Dragon fruits into pancake batter to create a rosy-hue breakfast dish. Red Dragon fruits can also be blended into smoothies or frozen into popsicles, ice cream, and sorbet. Beyond fresh preparations, Red Dragon fruits can be simmered into syrups and sauces and combined into cookies, cakes, macaroons, and other desserts. It is important to note that the red pigment in the flesh will stain skin, surfaces, and clothing, so care should be taken. In mixology, Red Dragon fruits are used as coloring, flavoring, and as an edible garnish in cocktails. The flesh can also be cubed, frozen, and dropped into champagne to infuse a pink hue. Outside of the fruit, the young flower buds can be cooked and prepared as vegetables, or the dried flowers can be steeped into herbal tea. Red Dragon fruits pair well with other fruits such as pineapples, strawberries, bananas, coconut, and blueberries, seafood including white fish, shrimp, and crab, tofu, rice, sesame, cashews, shallots, and garlic. Whole, unopened Red Dragon fruits will keep for a couple of days at room temperature and 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Sliced and cubed flesh can be frozen in the freezer for extended use.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Dragon fruits received their mythical moniker when they were introduced to Asia in the 1800s. Experts believe pitayas were first brought to Southeast Asia through French missionaries and were planted in Vietnam. After their introduction, the colorful cactus fruits were spread across Southeast Asia into China, where growers began marketing pitayas as dragon fruits. These marketers also spread wild stories of how the fruits came from dragons, creating a whimsical reputation, further sparking interest in t fruits. Legend has it Red Dragon fruits are developed from the final breath of a slain dragon. The perishing dragon must use all his might for breathing his last flamed breath, and this flame originates in the dragon’s body near the base of its tail to construct the flame-like fruit. After the dragon had fallen, the fruit was presented to the Emperor as a gift and symbol of victory. The story also mentions that soldiers would eat the dragon, coveting the base of the tail as the most sacred cu This portion of the tail was known as the “jaina,” translating to mean “the sweetest and best tasting.” Dragon fruits are sometimes labeled as jaina in Asian markets as the fruit is believed to have stemmed from that portion of the dragon’s body.

Geography/History

Dragon fruits are native to Mexico and Central America and have been growing wild since ancient times. The fruits thrived in tropical, subtropical, to somewhat arid regions and were transported to the Caribbean, West Indies, and South America in the early ages. Dragon fruit was brought to Southeast Asia in the early 1800s and was initially reserved for wealthy families and nobility. Over time, the plants became commercially cultivated for widespread consumption, spreading across Asia, and were eventually introduced to the Middle East and Australia. Red Dragon fruits were also brought to Hawaii in 1830. Today Red Dragon fruits are grown worldwide in home gardens and are commercially produced in Asia, Israel, Australia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States. When in season, Red Dragon fruits are available through specialty distributors, markets, and farms stands.

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Alila Marea Beach Resort  Encinitas CA   805-539-9719
Asti Ristorante  San Diego CA   619-232-8844
US Grant Hotel Grill  San Diego CA   619-232-3121
Herb & Sea (Bar)  Encinitas CA   858-587-6601
Fairmont Grand Del Mar  San Diego CA   858-314-1975
Wonderland Ocean Pub  San Diego CA   619-255-3358
Birds Eye (La Jolla)  La Jolla CA   513-549-0974
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station  San Diego CA   619-269-2100
Berry Good Food Foundation  La Jolla CA   619-295-3173
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main  San Diego CA   858-453-4420
Carte Hotel  San Diego CA   619-365-1858
Olivewood Gardens -Donation  National City CA   619-434-4281
Mille Fleurs  Rancho Santa Fe CA   858-756-3085
Cody's La Jolla  La Jolla CA   858-459-0040
Pendry SD (Pool House)  San Diego CA   619-738-7000
Venissimo Cheese Del Mar  Del Mar CA   858-847-9616
InterContinental Banquet Kitchen  San Diego CA   619-501-9400
Reata Glen  Ladera Ranch CA   949-545-2250
The Farm Golf Club  Rancho Santa Fe CA   858-756-5585
Mothership  San Diego CA   858-342-3609

the other 8...

The Guild Hotel  San Diego CA   858-373-3184
Del Mar Country Club  Rancho Santa Fe CA   858-759-5500 x207
Paradise Point Resort Barefoot  San Diego CA   858-490-6363
Animae  San Diego CA   619-925-7908
Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen)  San Diego CA   619-780-0974
Cal A Vie  Vista CA   760-945-2055
Edgewater Grill  San Diego CA   619-232-7581
Pacifica Del Mar  Del Mar CA   858-792-0505

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Red Pitaya Dragon Fruit. One

Dragon fruit pink inside
is easiest, three is harder.

Cherry on a Cake
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon Fruit Jam
mindful mocktail
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragonfruit Delight Mocktail
Cook with Manali
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon fruit pink inside
Vegan Dragon Fruit Panna Cotta
plant based jess
Dragon fruit pink inside
DRAGON FRUIT LEMONADE
Builicious
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon Fruit Macarons
plant you
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon Fruit Skin Jelly
Courntey Sweets
Dragon fruit pink inside
Dragon Fruit Smoothie

Recently Shared

People have shared Red Pitaya Dragon Fruit using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

Dragon fruit pink inside

Dragon fruit pink inside
SS2 Morning Market, Jalan SS 2/62, Petaling Jaya,   
Dragon fruit pink inside

SS2 Morning Market
Jalan SS 2/62

Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 9 days ago, 9/28/22

Dragon fruit pink inside
Specialty Produce   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 12 days ago, 9/25/22
Sharer's comments : Red Dragonfruit from Rancho Los Serranos

Dragon fruit pink inside
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Robert is Here Fruit Stand
19200 SW 344th Street, Homestead, FL 33034
305-246-1592

Near Florida City, Florida, United States
About 55 days ago, 8/13/22

Dragon fruit pink inside
Specialty Produce   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 89 days ago, 7/10/22
Sharer's comments : American Beauty Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit pink inside
pasar minggu Near Jakarta, Jakarta Capital Region, Indonesia
About 207 days ago, 3/14/22
Sharer's comments : buah naga

Dragon fruit pink inside
Cold Storage   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Cold Storage
68 Orchard Road #B2-15/16 Plaza Singapura Songapore 238839
656-238-6761
https://coldstorage.com.sg

Near Singapore, Singapore
About 230 days ago, 2/19/22

Dragon fruit pink inside
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand
19200 SW 344th St Homestead FL 33034
305-246-1592
https://robertishere.com

Near Florida City, Florida, United States
About 320 days ago, 11/21/21

Dragon fruit pink inside
Del Mar Farmers Market   
Dragon fruit pink inside

Ray Subtropical Farm
Rainbow Valley, CA
760-213-1436

Near Del Mar, California, United States
About 412 days ago, 8/21/21

Dragon fruit pink inside
pasar induk keramat jati Near Cibubur, Jakarta, Indonesia
About 546 days ago, 4/09/21
Sharer's comments : red dragon fruit

Dragon fruit pink inside
Super Indo Depok Town Center Near Depok, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
About 624 days ago, 1/21/21
Sharer's comments : buah naga merah

Dragon fruit pink inside
kebun durian warso Near Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
About 641 days ago, 1/04/21
Sharer's comments : red dragon fruit

Can dragonfruit be pink inside?

Dragon fruit's flesh can range from white (with pink, yellow or orange skin) to hot pink or deep purple with tiny black seeds. The colour of the flesh determines the flavour. For example, whitish dragon fruits can have a mild taste, and darker flesh can be sweeter and juicier.

What type of dragon fruit is pink inside?

Red dragon fruit has the same beautiful pink skin as its white relatives, but a burst of red flesh on the inside.

What if dragon fruit is red inside?

A favorite of ours, red dragon fruit is the most striking with bright magenta flesh. The flavor is sweeter than the white-flesh variety, with a hint of berry. Red-flesh dragon fruit is commonly found growing in Nicaragua where it is magically fertilized in the rich volcanic soil, making it more flavorful and sweet.

Is pink Dragonfruit better than white?

It is an established fact that deep red fruits and vegetables contain more antioxidants. That's why red dragon fruit has a higher amount of antioxidants than white ones. This makes it a great food for healthy eyes, blood, and skin. The red variety is also used to make delicious wine.