Dragon fruit (pitaya) is an attractive and nutrient-rich fruit that is easy and fun to eat. It has a mild sweet taste. And provides vitamins, minerals and antioxidants along with cooling effect. There are many ways to eat it. If you ask How to eat dragon fruit then answer is first, wash the dragon fruit thoroughly. Then cut it from the center with a knife. Inside it is white or red pulp and small black seeds. The pulp can be taken out with a spoon and eaten directly.
Its pulp is soft and juicy, which can be eaten even without any additional spices. Dragon fruit pieces can be cut and added to fruit salad. It is also used in making smoothies, shakes and desserts. If you want, you can enhance the taste by adding some lemon juice and chaat masala to it.
Keep in mind that its peel is not eaten. Only the pulp is eaten. Eating it cold enhances its taste even more. It is an excellent option for breakfast or as an evening snack. Dragon fruit is not only delicious. But it also helps in improving digestion, boosting immunity and improving skin.
Related:- 10 Benefits of kiwi fruit
What is dragon fruit and how to eat dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is a highly nutritious and attractive tropical fruit. It is oval in shape and has a bright pink or red outer skin. With green petal-like structures. Which give it a dragon-like shape. Its pulp is white or dark purple in color. It has small black seeds. This fruit is mildly sweet and refreshing in taste. Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, fiber, calcium, iron and antioxidants.
Which help in increasing immunity, improving digestion and making the skin glow. Due to low calories and more nutrients, it is also considered beneficial for weight control. It can be eaten as a salad, smoothie, juice or by cutting it directly. This fruit, which grows in hot climate, is now becoming popular in India as well.
Nutritional overview
Dragon fruit is a nutritious and low-calorie fruit. It contains many essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Which provide energy and health to the body. Let’s know main nutrients found in dragon fruit.
- Calories
- Carbohydrates
- Fiber
- Protein
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Antioxidants
- Betalains
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
How to eat dragon fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as a highly abundant in nutrients and attractive looking fruit. Its taste is mildly sweet and making it special among summer. This fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin-C, antioxidants and minerals. Which help in keeping the body healthy. If you are eating dragon fruit for the first time, it is important to know the right ways to eat it. So that you can get the full benefit of both its taste and nutrition. Let’s know some right way to eat dragon fruit.
Choose fresh dragon fruit
Choose the right dragon fruit Before eating dragon fruit, it is important to choose it right. Fresh and ripe fruit will feel slightly soft when pressed lightly. But should not be too mushy. Its outer skin should be bright pink or yellow and green scales indicate freshness. If the skin is wrinkled or the fruit is very soft, it may be overripe or spoiled.
Wash the fruit thoroughly
There may be dust, soil or pesticides on the outer surface of the dragon fruit. Therefore, wash it thoroughly in running water before eating it. This is necessary because while cutting, the dirt present on the outer peel can go to the pulp inside with the knife. After washing, wipe it with a clean cloth.
Cut properly with a knife
Cut the dragon fruit lengthwise from the middle. As soon as you cut it, the white or red pulp inside will be visible along with small black seeds. The seeds are very soft and can also be eaten. After cutting, you can eat it directly with a spoon. Or peel it and cut it into small pieces and serve it on a plate.
Eat the pulp with a spoon
If you want to eat it as a light snack. Then after cutting the fruit, you can take out the pulp with a spoon and eat it directly. Its taste is mildly sweet and juicy, which feels like a mixture of watermelon and kiwi. If you want, you can also enhance the taste by adding a little lemon juice and salt.
Mix it in salad
The taste of dragon fruit goes very well with other fruits. You can include it in fruit salad by cutting it into small pieces. Its combination with mango, watermelon, kiwi and strawberry is quite attractive and full of nutrition. The salad can be made more delicious by adding a little honey.
Make smoothie or juice
Smoothie can be prepared by putting the pulp of dragon fruit in a blender. Both taste and nutrition can be increased by adding yogurt, milk or coconut water to it. If you want, you can bring natural sweetness by adding some honey or dates to it. Apart from this, dragon fruit juice is also very refreshing and cools the body in summer.
Use in desserts and ice cream
You can make various desserts with dragon fruit pulp. It can be used in ice cream, yogurt parfait, fruit custard and pudding. Its mild taste and beautiful color make desserts special. Many people also add it to decorate cakes or sugar-free sweets.
Eat it cold
If you want its taste and freshness to double. Keep the fruit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before eating. The cold dragon fruit provides instant energy and hydration to the body in the summer season.
Eat the seeds too
The small black seeds present in the fiber-rich dragon fruit pulp can also be eaten. These seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Which strengthen the digestive system and help in keeping the cholesterol level under control.
Things to keep in mind
Avoid eating large quantities of dragon fruit at one time, especially if you have any stomach problems. There is no need to add extra sugar to get a very sweet taste, it is naturally sweet.
Let’s know how to make dragon fruit smoothie
Dragon fruit is a nutrient-rich and delicious fruit. Which makes it very easy and healthy to make smoothies. This smoothie cools the body in summers and boosts energy.
Ingredients:-
- Dragon fruit – 1 (cut into small pieces)
- Banana – 1 (sliced)
- Yogurt – 1 cup (cold)
- Honey – 1 to 2 tablespoons (according to taste)
- Ice cubes – 4-5 Milk (optional) – ½ cup
Method:-
1:- First, wash and peel the dragon fruit and cut it into small pieces.
2:- Add dragon fruit, banana, cold yogurt, honey and ice cubes in a mixer jar.
3:- Blend all the ingredients well until smooth and creamy.
4:- If the smoothie is too thick, add some cold milk and blend again.
5:- Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and garnish with small pieces of dragon fruit or mint leaves if desired.
Benefits:- This smoothie is not only delicious. But the vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants in it strengthen your immune system. And keep digestion healthy and give glow to the skin. Banana and yogurt give it a creamy texture and honey provides natural sweetness.
How to serve:- Dragon Fruit Smoothie immediately chilled. It is a great and nutritious option for breakfast, post-workout or when you are a little hungry.
Let’s know how to make dragon fruit salad
Dragon fruit is a delicious and healthy fruit that can be eaten in a variety of ways. The recipe given below is simple and nutritious. Let’s know how to make dragon fruit salad.
Ingredients :-
- dragon fruit – 1 (chopped)
- apple – 1 (chopped)
- banana – 1 (chopped)
- honey – 1tsf
- Lemon juice – 1tsp
Method:-
1- Cut all the fruits into small pieces.
2- Add dragon fruit, apple and banana in a bowl.
3- Add honey and lemon juice on top and mix well.
5- Serve chilled.
