While some people refer to the dragon fruit by name, others know it as the “strawberry-pear” or “strawberry-pear” because that is the nickname that has been attached to it over the years. Dragon fruit comes from a type of plant in the Cactus family and has its origins in South America but can be found today in many other tropical countries especially in SoutheastAsia (Thailand/Laos/Myanmar/Cambodia/Vietnam and very recently in southern Italy as well. The Dragon Fruit we offer on our website is 100% Sicilian, in fact it comes from a brand new planting in the province of Ragusa, Sicily. The average market cost of the product is very high, a characteristic that makes it difficult to market in the Italian market. It can vary from 15€ to 20€ per kg (5-10€ /pcs depending on the caliber and origin of the product).
Click here to purchase only the Dragon Fruit
Click here to purchase the Dragon Fruit in the mixed cottage
So many colors for the same fruit
This purple-skinned fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, iron, potassium, and antioxidants. In fact, the health benefits of this fruit are many and varied. The flesh of the fruit can be red or white depending on the variety. The skin can also vary and be pink, reddish, purplish or even yellow in color.
A fruit with many virtues
Dragon fruit is a complete source of highly nutritious fiber, providing more than 100 grams per serving. High levels of fiber can help reduce cholesterol, strengthen the immune system, promote healthy digestion, help with weight loss, and so on. Because it contains no fat, very few carbohydrates, it has few calories, so it is a great addition to a diet or energy supplement. Dragon Fruits are also a good source of antioxidants that are great for fighting the signs of aging and combating chronic diseases. The most common dragon fruits that almost all of us know or see most often are those with purple-red skin and green scales, hence the name of the dragon.
How to eat
Eating the dragon fruit is super easy, just pick one that is ripe enough first (press the fruit a little with one hand and if it is a little soft it is ready to eat). With a knife cut it in half, the peel comes off smoothly, just pull it down, some people even eat it directly with a spoon. In truth, the fruit is quite soft and easy to cut into cubes. You can eat it as is or together with other fruits and with a little lemon.
In Asia this fruit is often used in salads.
What does dragon fruit or pitaya taste like?
The flavor of dragon fruit is generally a little sweet but not more than a little; it has resemblances to kiwi but does not have the acidity that characterizes the latter. The black seeds on the white flesh are tiny and can be ingested without problem some. Usually the yellow-skinned variety has seeds that are a bit larger and that “pop” when chewed along with the fruit flesh. These, too, can be ingested and do not cause any problems.
Curiosities about Dragon Fruit
In certain tropical countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, the flower and buds of the dragon fruit are also cooked and eaten in various ways, especially in the typical cuisine of inland villages. Stories tell that this particular and very sweet fruit was used during fights by legendary fire-breathing dragons who would expel it upon death. Once victory was won, the Dragon Fruit was taken as a gift to the emperor. The dragon was sacrificed so that the flesh would give the soldiers its strength and ferocity.
Because of its very intense natural color, this fruit is also used as a dye and as an ingredient in some cosmetic products.
Click here to purchase only the Dragon Fruit
Click here to purchase the Dragon Fruit in the mixed cottage
