How to cut a dragon fruit (for snacking, smoothies and salad bowls)
3/19/2023
4 min. reading
Source: www.unsplash.com
Dragon fruit is a unique and exotic fruit that has gained popularity in recent years. This tropical fruit, which belongs to the Cactaceae (cactus) family, is also known as pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear. With its enticing bright magenta skin and green leaves that resemble the scales of the mythical beast, it's difficult to overlook.
What is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit has sweet, juicy flesh that can be a delicious addition to any fruit platter or smoothie bowl. You will thoroughly enjoy it, even if you had never heard of it before today. But, cutting a dragon fruit can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're not familiar with it. Below, we'll go over the steps on how to cut a dragon fruit to eat properly.
How can you tell your dragon fruit is ripe?
If you ever have the opportunity to purchase dragon fruit, do so if you come across it in the market. It’s one fruit that has many nutritional advantages but it’s rarely found in the supermarkets or fruit and veg markets because it’s exotic.
Our immune systems benefit from dragon fruit's high levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants. It contains prebiotics, nutrients that provide your probiotics—healthy bacteria in the gut—food to eat. The ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria in your intestines can be improved by increasing your intake of prebiotics.
Squeeze the dragon fruit lightly before purchasing. It should be slightly soft without feeling mushy. If it's hard, buy it still, and let your dragon fruit ripen on the counter for a few days before eating. Avoid fruit with dried or bruised leaves, which indicate that it is overripe.
Now that you know how to tell if dragon fruit is ripe, let’s get into how to cut up a dragon fruit.
Step 1: Wash the dragon fruit
Before cutting the dragon fruit, it's important to wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt or bacteria. Simply rinse the fruit under running water and dry it with a clean cloth.
Step 2: Slice the dragon fruit in half
This is how to cut a ripe dragon fruit. Dragon fruit is typically cut in half lengthwise, which is easy to do by using a sharp knife. Start by placing the fruit on a cutting board, and using a steady and confident motion, slice it in half from top to bottom.
Step 3: Scoop out the flesh
Once you have cut the dragon fruit in half, you can easily scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Hold the dragon fruit in one hand, and use a spoon to gently separate the flesh from the skin. Repeat this step for both halves of the fruit.
Step 4: Remove the seeds
If you are wondering, can you eat dragon fruit seeds? Absolutely! Dragon fruit has small, black seeds throughout its flesh, which are edible but can be removed if desired. To remove the seeds, simply use the edge of the spoon to scoop them out.
Step 5: Dice or slice the flesh
Now that you have removed the seeds, you can dice or slice the flesh to your desired size. For smoothie bowls or salads, small cubes are ideal. If you plan on using the dragon fruit as a garnish, you can slice it thinly for a decorative touch.
Step 6: Enjoy!
For those who are new to the dragon fruit experience, now is where you discover how to eat dragon fruit. Now that your dragon fruit is cut, you can enjoy it as a snack on its own or add it to your favourite fruit recipes. It can be used in smoothies, fruit salads, or as a topping for Greek yoghurt or oatmeal.
You can also add it to an Açaí bowl, which is a perfect pick-me-up after a yoga or exercise session. Fancy some fruit kebabs or fruit tart for dessert - dragon fruit can be infused in all that!
What does dragon fruit taste like?
When dragon fruit is ripe, it has a soft texture resembling a ripe kiwi and a moderately sweet flavour, sometimes compared to a combination of pear and kiwi. On the other hand, underripe dragon fruit is essentially flavourless.
How to store dragon fruit
If you have bought your dragon fruit in abundance and you’d like to store it properly so you can enjoy it over the next few days, here’s what to do. Put your leftover dragon fruit in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and put it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you might freeze it for up to three months.
See? It’s a simple and straightforward process. By following these steps, you can easily prepare this exotic fruit for your next snack or meal. Remember to wash the fruit first, slice it in half, scoop out the flesh, remove the seeds, and dice or slice to your desired size. Enjoy the sweet, juicy flesh of the dragon fruit, and don't be afraid to get creative with your recipes!
Here are some more ways to eat dragon fruit in your meals:
