What is dragonfruit?
Dragonfruit is an unusual-looking fruit native to the Americas. You may also know it as strawberry pear or pitaya. This fruit is becoming more and more popular by the day, and it’s easier than ever to find it in supermarkets when it’s in season.
There are 3 varieties of dragonfruit:
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- White dragonfruit: By far the most widely available in the United States, this variety is hot pink or red on the outside and pearly white on the inside.
- Red dragonfruit: This type of dragonfruit is red on the outside and hot pink inside. Of all the varieties, it’s by far the oddest and showiest.
- Yellow dragonfruit: Instead of having red skin like other types of dragonfruit, this one is yellow on the outside. Inside, it’s pearly white.
All 3 types have 1 thing in common: thick non-prickly spikes on the skin that are often green. With a bit of imagination, they resemble dragon scales—hence the name of this fruit.
Dragonfruit usually tastes mild, which is a sharp contrast to its flashy looks. The best way to describe them is a toned-down cross between a pear and a kiwi. Some varieties do taste more intense than others—and some dragonfruit cultivars have a pleasantly sour aftertaste—but dragonfruit is known for a clean, fresh flavor. When ripe, this fruit has a nice crunch to it.
Where did dragonfruit originate from?
Originally, dragonfruit only grew in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. The warm, dry climate of these regions was perfect for the cactus that produces this fruit to thrive.
Nowadays, dragonfruit is grown a little all over the world. Subtropical areas are best for this crop. Thus, Australia, Southeast Asian countries, and Caribbean nations are large producers of this unique-looking fruit. Farmers in the United States also harvest this crop, especially in Southern California, Florida, and Hawai’i.
How is dragonfruit grown?
Dragonfruit grows on a cactus. In commercial-sized plantations, you’ll find many cactus plants packed on a field climbing on trellises. Then, once it’s time to harvest, workers or machines go through each plant picking the red (or yellow) fruits.
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It’s also possible to grow cactus dragonfruit in a sunny backyard. It can be raised in-ground or in pots, as long as there is a strong trellis to climb on.
This crop thrives in U.S. hardiness zones 9a-11. It needs full sun for at least 8 hours a day can withstand torrid temperatures (as high as 105ºF), but it doesn’t hold up well to frost. Like other cactus plants, this one doesn’t need to be watered often.
The dragonfruit cactus can be started from seed or from a cutting. After a few years, it reaches maturity and starts producing large, beautiful white flowers. These bloom in the evening and wilt within 24 hours, meaning there’s a short pollination window. Usually, it’s up to bats and moths to take the pollen from one plant to the other, but home growers often do it themselves by hand using a paintbrush.
A few months after flowering, the dragonfruit will be ready to pick. Once it comes off the cactus stem without needing to be tugged on, it’s ripe.
When is dragonfruit in season?
Dragonfruit grown in the United States is in season in the summer and fall months. That’s when the fruit is juiciest and sweetest. Yet, it’s not impossible to find fresh dragonfruit year-round, especially if it’s been imported from Australia (where the seasons are inverted).
How do you pick dragonfruit at the grocery store?
Unlike other fruits, this one doesn’t ripen significantly after being picked. If you want a dragonfruit that’s flavorful and juicy, you’ll need to look for one that smells fragrant and is soft (but not mushy) to the touch.
Dragonfruit bruises easily, so it’s okay if they have a few brown spots on the skin. Yet, avoid fruit with wrinkly or broken skin.
You’ll also have to choose what variety of dragonfruit you want. Generally speaking, yellow dragonfruit is the sweetest, and white dragonfruit (the most widely available) has the mildest flavor. Red dragonfruit is somewhere in the middle.
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Some manufacturers breed dragonfruit specifically to taste pleasantly sour. Look for produce with the word “sour” on the packaging.
If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for dragonfruit via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for dragonfruit.
How to store dragonfruit
Eat ripe dragonfruit shortly after buying it, as it can spoil quickly. You can also store it in the fridge for up to a week to keep it fresh for longer.
Hard, unripened dragonfruit can be left in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for 3 days. While the flavor won’t improve, the fruit will become softer.
Freezing dragonfruit is the best way to store it long-term. Peel and cut up the dragonfruit, store it in an air-tight container or sealable plastic bag, and keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen dragonfruit is especially good for smoothies and juices.
How to tell if dragonfruit is bad
Spoiled dragonfruit usually looks brown on the outside. The flesh inside may also look gray or brown. Additionally, the skin becomes wrinkly or cracked and the fruit gets mushy. It also gives off an unpleasant smell.
What can I substitute for dragonfruit?
The closest substitution for dragonfruit is kiwi, but keep in mind this swap has a zestier, more intense taste. Ripe pear can also work in a pinch. If a smoothie, juice, or baking recipe calls for dragonfruit, try mixing or blending pear and kiwi to get a better result.
Add this tropical fruit to your grocery list this week
Although dragonfruit is more popular than ever, it can still be difficult to find in some grocery stores. If you want to include this tropical fruit in your diet but don’t want to spend time looking for it, you can rely on Instacart. When you order your groceries online via Instacart, you can get them delivered to your home in as little as 2 hours.
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