Pitahaya (dragon fruit) – how to eat, beneficial properties, calorie content. What is the taste and smell of pitahaya fruit? What is pitahaya and how do you eat it?

Pitahaya or dragon's eye is a relative of sweet pitaya, the fruit of a plant from the cactus family, genus Hylocereus. Visually, the culture resembles an ordinary tree, a palm tree. However, in fact it is a climbing epiphytic liana-like cactus. The plant's homeland is Central and South America, Mexico. Currently, pitahaya is cultivated in the Philippines and Hawaii, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan, China, Armenia, and Israel.

Dragon fruit is a heavy fruit, weighing up to 1 kilogram and elongated in shape. It tastes like and. The exotic fruit is a low-calorie product (100 grams contains 30 calories), rich in microelements (iron, calcium, phosphorus) and C. Pitahaya pulp improves the condition of the digestive tract, accompanied by high acidity, lowers blood levels, normalizes the function of the endocrine glands (useful) .

According to legend, the fruit embodies the fiery essence of the dragon, which resembles the flame of an animal. It is believed that every person who eats pitahaya experiences a surge of strength and courage. And doctors have confirmed the beneficial effects of feathered fruit on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and heart.

Botanical description

The dragon's eye is a climbing epiphytic cactus adapted to life in tropical climates. Dragon fruit only blooms at night. The flowers are large, white, and emit a pleasant aroma. The size of the fruit, the color of the skin and pulp depend on the type of plant. In good years, you can get up to 6 harvests from one hectare of crop. The pulp of the fruit contains small black seeds, rich in valuable lipids, which must be chewed, since they are not digested in the “whole” form in the human body. The skin of pitahaya is smooth, covered with leaf-like growths, visually reminiscent of a frozen flame of fire, and is inedible.

Interestingly, excess humidity contributes to premature falling of flowers and rotting of fruits. Unripe fruits are often pecked by birds.

1. Costa Rican (costaricensis, polyrhizus). The flesh and skin of the fruit are red.
2. Yellow (megalanthus). The pulp is white, the skin is yellow.
3. Red (undatus). This is the most common type. The fruit pulp is white, the peel is red-pink.

Dragon fruit is low-calorie, sweetish in taste (sometimes bland), suitable for consumption raw. The pulp of the fruit is added to salads and used as a base for making wine. Pitahaya is eaten chilled, separately from dishes with a strong taste. The flowers are edible and are added to...

Eating Costa Rican dragon fruit with purple flesh may cause pseudohematuria, a harmless condition in which the urine and feces change color (turn red).

Dragon fruit is easily damaged when pressed, making it difficult to transport. This explains the high cost of the product in countries where the fruit is not cultivated.

Chemical composition

A representative of the sweet pitaya of the cactus family, it consists of 90% water and has a rich vitamin and mineral composition. fruits help with stomach pain, support the functioning of the thyroid gland, and have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

Dragon's eye seeds are a source that improve the condition of people suffering from diabetes and increase visual acuity.

The greatest value for the human body is provided by the fruit in its raw form. At the same time, it is subject to various types of culinary processing: boiling, baking, frying. Sherbet, sauces, preserves, jams, and wine are made from it.

In appearance, pitahaya resembles, the consistency of the pulp is similar to, and the taste is similar to banana and kiwi. The strongest aroma is the yellow “dragon fruit”. In addition, it is the sweetest among all representatives of its genus.

To eat or not to eat?

Pitahaya is a dietary product recommended for the dietary table.

What are the health benefits of dragon fruit?

1. Rich. These compounds neutralize free radicals, which cause aging of the body and the formation of cancer cells. With regular consumption of exotic fruit, the skin will become younger and denser.
2. Contains a lot of fiber. Removes waste, toxins, regulates intestinal function.
3. Has anti-inflammatory properties. Facilitates the course of chronic diseases.
4. Regulates blood levels.
5. Increases skin elasticity, treats acne (when used externally in the form of masks).
6. Resists the development of respiratory diseases, increases the number of leukocytes in the body, preventing the growth of bacterial and fungal infections.
7. Vitaminizes the body.
8. Improves vision.
9. Promotes systematic weight loss.
10. Increases appetite.
11. Prevents arthritis, relieves joint irritation, reduces swelling.
12. Heals cuts and wounds.
13. Strengthens tooth enamel.
14. Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

A medicine that stimulates blood circulation and relieves spasms is prepared from the stems and flowers of dragon fruit. Local residents of Thailand use the juice from the plant as an anthelmintic.

Pitahaya is an exotic fruit that can cause heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea and food allergies. When you first use it, you should limit yourself to one slice of the fruit and look at the body’s reaction. In the absence of side effects, the amount of fruit consumed at a time is gradually increased.

Children under 3 years of age are contraindicated to include dragon fruit in their diet, as it can cause diathesis.

There are 4 methods on how to properly consume dragon fruit.

1. Preparing pitahaya. Choose ripe fruits with pink or bright red skin and soft flesh. Avoid fruits with brown dry spots, dents, or thorns. Cut the pitahaya in half. Scoop out the pulp with a spoon. In a ripe fruit, it is easily separated from the peel. Refrigerate it before using.

Remember, dragon fruit skin is inedible and if ingested, it causes cramps and stomach pain.

1. Making pitahaya kebab. Pre-soak wooden skewers in water. This will prevent charring of the raw materials during frying of the product. Light the grill. Prepare the fruits: cut the fruits (pitahaya) into pieces and thread them onto skewers. Place the kebabs on the grill. Cook until browned, then remove from heat. Serve with a bowl of sugar for sprinkling.
2. Making a fruit cocktail. Prepare the fruit. Dragon eye goes well with strawberries, peaches, bananas, and blueberries. First of all, cut one pitahaya in half, remove the pulp, and chop. Wash 500 grams of blueberries. Peel one banana and slice. Choose a cocktail base. It can be whole, soy, nut or yogurt. To diversify the taste, additional ingredients are added to the fruit cocktail: sugar, syrup, juice, almond oil. All components are placed in a blender bowl, the contents are thoroughly beaten until smooth.

If the cocktail turns out to be thick, dilute it with water, juice or milk. Add to too liquid mousse. Pour the contents into glasses and garnish with fruit and straws before serving.

1. Pitahaya sorbet. Process the fruit: peel, cut, carefully remove the pulp. Save the halves for serving, they will serve as plates. Pre-chill them in the freezer. Mix the ingredients for sorbet: 30 grams of sugar, 170 milliliters of water, 15 milliliters of juice, fruit pulp. Beat in a blender. Pour the resulting mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze the sorbet according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place pitahayas in halves and serve with a rich muffin or fluffy sponge cake.

Before peeling the fruit, wash it thoroughly. Please note that the surface of the fruit should not be damaged, otherwise pathogenic bacteria can penetrate into the pulp through cuts or dents, causing rot of the product and leading to human poisoning.

Conclusion

Pitahaya is a fragrant, slightly sweet fruit with small growths that are yellow, red or purple. The pulp is white, pink, filled with small black seeds. The bushy tree-like cactus is actively used in cooking for the production of alcoholic beverages, sorbets, yoghurts, jams, sauces, jellies, candies, ice cream, and dairy products. The peel is inedible; in addition, it may contain harmful substances (pesticides).

Pitahaya pulp is a low-calorie dietary product (30 calories per 100 grams), with a taste reminiscent of kiwi and banana. It has a high content of iron, potassium, phosphorus, ascorbic acid and carbohydrates. According to the results of medical research, scientists have concluded that the fruit is useful for people with endocrine diseases, suffering from diabetes, and stomach pain. Prickly pear strengthens the immune system and normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The main condition is to choose high-quality fresh fruit. Shelf life: no more than 3 days in the refrigerator. Ripe pitahaya is soft and rich in color. And the unripe one is hard to the touch and pale. Stains, mold deposits, wrinkles and cracks on the peel are reasons to refuse to purchase the product.

Interestingly, a bland taste is normal for this fruit, the main advantage of which is its unusual impressive appearance. Pitahaya seeds are difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract, so they should be chewed thoroughly. Before use, the fruit is kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. This improves the taste of the fruit and makes its herbal aroma richer.

Despite the undeniable advantages of dragon fruit, remember that it is primarily exotic, which may not be accepted by the human body and cause an undesirable allergic reaction. Be careful with your diet and introduce new foods in small doses (15-50 grams)!

“Heart of the Dragon” sounds beautiful and unusual. Behind this name lies an exotic fruit, pitahaya, growing in tropical forests. Residents of our country are not very familiar with the fruits of the plant, because they are rarely found in stores. Nevertheless, pitaya remains the owner of excellent taste, beneficial and nutritional properties. And the areas planted with trees and blooming flowers resemble fairy-tale gardens.

Names and varieties

Dragon fruit, pitahaya, pitaya, dragon - all these are the names of one exotic fruit growing in the lands of Mexico, South and Central America. The plant belongs to the cactus family.

Today, the cultivation of dragonfruit is carried out by residents of the south-eastern part of Asia. Most pitaya is exported worldwide from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China and Malaysia. The optimal climatic conditions for obtaining a good harvest of exotic cactus fruits are the subtropics and tropics.

The name of the fruit has English roots, and is translated as “dragon heart” or “dragon fruit”. However, back in the era of the ancient Aztecs, this plant was called dragonfruit. Indian tribes were the first to eat the white pulp because Mexico was the cactus’ homeland. The ground seeds were used as a seasoning for dishes.

The Mexican people often tell legends according to which the appearance of the fruit is associated with the dragons living at that time. They claim that the birth of pitaya occurred in the midst of war. It was then that the tired dragons could no longer spew fire from their mouths, but instead spat out bright fruits. The ancient Indians believed that somewhere inside, near the dragon's heart, this amazing dragonfruit was located. To get as much delicacy as possible, they had to destroy all the dragon warriors.

Today, pitahaya is one of the most beautiful and mysterious fruits, distinguished by its unusual shape and color. It grows well in the southern lands and has an amazing taste. True, its appearance resembles the scales of extinct reptiles or a dragon's eye, which only brings back memories of ancient legends. By the way, pitahaya pulp varies in color depending on the type of fruit.

Common shades include white, reddish, hot pink, and even purple. The tropical fruit also differs in shape, size, and number of scales on the peel.

Let's look at the most popular types of unusual plants.

• Pitaya "White" (Hylocereus Undatus) is a very common variety of fruit. It has a rich taste, but a little bland compared to others. The white pulp characteristic of the name is filled with many black seeds. The aroma is reminiscent of something herbal. The external color of the fruit is red or bright pink, while the scales are light green.
• Pitaya "Yellow" (Hylocereus Megalanthus). This variety is rarely grown and is called “prickly pear”. The surface layer is yellow, the scales resemble pimples. Inside the fruit is snow-white, diluted with black seeds. The taste of yellow dragonfruit is the sweetest and most aromatic.
• Red Pitaya (Hylocereus Costaricensis) common in the lands of Costa Rica, which is why it is often called Costa Rican. It has a rich pink skin with a purple tint. The pulp of the dragon fruit is similar in color, but is more red. There are many small seeds present. Produces a strong fruity aroma.

What does it look like and what does it taste like?

Dragon fruit is native to South America and Mexico. Gained wide popularity in the southeastern regions of Asia and some parts of Central America. For the full growth and ripening of sweet fruits, a dry tropical climate with many deciduous forests is suitable.

The pitaya tree reaches a height of 10 meters. Specifically for growing this representative, gardeners use various support and garter means. Only with their help can you preserve the desired appearance of a branched cactus, which grows greatly. For this purpose, the entire crown is specially collected into one dome, rising above the ground.

From a botanical point of view, the plant is considered epiphytic, so the fruits, due to aerial roots, manage to cling to tree trunks and hold on to them during long ripening. Despite the fact that they grow on the surface of the entire stem, the epiphyte cactus does not take nutrients from the tree.

Dragon fruit strives for heights where there is a lot of light and warmth. It is at the top that it extracts the required amount of moisture from the air. In addition, the culture manages to find organic elements in the cracks of the trunks. The plant takes root deep underground, where they undergo a period of development, after which they spread along the soil in the form of individual stems.

The triangular stems of pitahaya are modified branches. Externally, these are juicy, fleshy stems 5 cm wide. They contain large amounts of water and nutritional components that the tree needs during drought and heat. The stems are covered with small thorns, which are actually buds that will later give rise to new branches and dragonfruit flowers.

Flowering occurs quite quickly, in an incredibly short period of time. One night is enough for the first flowers to appear, colored pink or white, emitting a light herbal aroma.

Pollination of the tree occurs with the help of insects. When the withering of the variegated buds has ended, the period of fruit set begins. The full development of the cactus strongly depends on climatic conditions - the ideal is the dry climate of the tropics. Already 35-50 days after flowering, the tree becomes overgrown with beautiful, bright fruits. During the year (one season), pitahaya can bear fruit up to 6 times with egg-like fruits. This confirms its incredibly high yield.

Those who are going to grow crops on their plot should know that an excessive amount of moisture is detrimental to the plant - the buds may fall off and the fruits will begin to rot.

If you cut the fruit in half, you will find a soft consistency, similar to thick sour cream. The taste is reminiscent of something banana with a kiwi flavor. True gourmets compare the taste of pitahaya with these fruits.

Dragonfruit pulp can be added to various dishes or eaten with other fruits, the main thing is to avoid spicy and very sweet ingredients, since against the background of such a combination the taste of pitahaya will simply be lost.

Salads, desserts, yoghurts, smoothies, cocktails, jams and jellies are prepared based on the Thai exotic fruit. The fruits are also found in recipes for cold drinks and fruit wines.

Don’t forget about the beautiful white flowers, which not only act as decoration, but are also added to tea for aroma.

Calorie content

The nutritional value of 100 grams of exotic fruit is 50 kcal. Proteins occupy 0.49 g, fats - 0.29 g, and carbohydrates - 12 g. A significant place is given to water - 91 g. In addition, pitahaya contains a large amount of valuable fiber and coarse fibers, which have a positive effect on the digestive system and bowel function.

Chemical composition

• vitamin B1;
• vitamin B2;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin PP;
• vitamin E;
• ash;
• a nicotinic acid;
• ascorbic acid;
• calcium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• beta-carotene;
• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• potassium;
• tocopherol

Benefits and harms

The tropical fruit is known for its beneficial properties. Its composition is filled with various vitamins and minerals. Micro- and macroelements that strengthen human immunity play a particularly important role.

It is impossible not to note the special quality of eating dragon fruit - it cleanses and stimulates the intestines due to the high level of coarse fibers.

The main benefits of the fruit:

• starts all metabolic processes in the body;
• normalizes fat metabolism;
• accelerates the absorption of nutrients into the blood;
• removes harmful and toxic substances, excess liquid and salts;
• strengthens dental and bone tissue;
• improves the functioning of the nervous system;
• triggers the protective functions of the immune system, preventing colds, viral and other diseases;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• synthesizes natural collagen;
• protects cells from external influences, including free radicals;
• regulates the process of blood clotting;
• normalizes carbohydrate breakdown due to high iron content;
• strengthens the entire skeletal system as a whole;
• has an oxidizing effect;
• stimulates the growth and development of a healthy body, which is especially important for children;
• successfully forms antibodies and red blood cells in the blood;
• strengthens the walls of cell tissues;
• Thanks to the presence of special acids, it regulates the level of “good” cholesterol, while simultaneously removing “bad” cholesterol from the body.
• supports normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• provides muscle tone and strength;
• cell membranes are formed due to lipids contained in the seeds of the fruit;
• inhibits the absorption of sugar into the intestines, thereby reducing the GI (glycemic index) of the food eaten;
• indicated for type 2 diabetes due to its ability to lower blood sugar and insulin;
• improves mood and relieves stress.

Dragon fruit is of particular importance for the health of pregnant and lactating women. However, before including exotics in your daily diet, you should consult a specialist for allergies and other contraindications. The high content of calcium and phosphorus ensures the full growth of the bones, teeth and nails of the unborn baby. In addition, by consuming this delicacy, the expectant mother will be calm about the child’s skeletal and cardiac system.

Additional properties for pregnant women:

• reduction of swelling;
• maintaining the heart muscle;
• liberation of the body from radicals and toxins;
• eliminating unnecessary irritability;
• antifungal and antibacterial action;
• replenishment of mineral deficiency.

Surprisingly, such a strange and mysterious product has practically no contraindications. Of course, the main prohibitive point can only be individual intolerance to the fruit. An allergic reaction mainly occurs to ascorbic acid.

An important point: overeating red pitahaya will cause your urine to turn the same color. But don't worry, this is not a sign of illness or allergies, there will be no harm.

How to choose the right fruit?

Not all shops and markets are full of such unusual fruit, brought mainly from Thailand and Vietnam. Before purchasing, carefully inspect the fruits: there should be no damage, dents, or dark spots on them. The color of the peel of a quality product does not differ from its name. That is, if it says “Red Pitahaya,” then the color of the shell should match the inscription.

Freshness can be determined by touch. Soft means ready and suitable for consumption. Purchased pitaya with a hard surface needs to ripen - to do this, put it in a cool place for a couple of days. This is the only way she can demonstrate all the taste qualities.

Remember, after 5 days it will begin to lose its nutritional value and usefulness, so you need to have time to eat the juicy fruit.

Before you try this fragrant tropical delicacy, you need to clean it properly. Pitaya is eaten in different ways.

Variations of cleaning and use:

• Peel the top and eat the pulp;
• cut into slices;
• cut the skin, tear it off, and the contents are ready to eat;
• Divide the fruit into two parts and eat the snow-white pulp with a spoon.

Black seeds contain very important microelements - lipids, which can be absorbed into the blood only when the seeds are chewed. The peel is not used anywhere due to the lack of a distinct taste.

Pitahaya is used to make milk yoghurts, sorbets and jams.

In American cuisine, a dessert recipe that is a delicate and airy combination is especially popular. To do this, you need to beat condensed milk, Mascarpone cheese, pitahaya and almonds in a blender.

An excellent cooling drink would be water with lime or lemon and dragonfruit. If you dry the flowers of the fruit, you can make an excellent aromatic spice, for example, for tea.

Recipes

Here are a couple of interesting recipes that you can please your household.

Pitaya fruit ice

Ingredients:

• red fruits - 4;
• banana - 1;
• ripe mango - 100 g;
• pineapple - 100 g;
• almond milk - 200 ml.

Preparation:

• mix all ingredients in a blender;
• after that, pour the resulting mass into ice cream molds with a special wooden stick;
• Leave the workpiece in the freezer until completely frozen (preferably overnight).

Cool dessert is ready!

Fruit cocktail

This cocktail is especially good for those who love sweets and want to saturate their body with vitamins.

Components:

• ripe pitaya fruit;
• 2-3 kiwis;
• several strawberries;
• yogurt, milk.

In addition, if desired, you can add other ingredients: peaches, pears, raspberries, currants, blueberries, bananas. Choose what you like best. To add a subtle aroma, it is recommended to supplement the cocktail with syrup, honey, juice, aromatic oils, and caramel.

This healthy and energy drink is very easy to prepare. Just add all the ingredients into a blender glass and mix. Pour the prepared liquid into glass jars and place in the refrigerator to cool. It's better to drink from a straw.

“Dragon's Eye” is a truly amazing fruit that was discovered many centuries ago by the inhabitants of Mexico. Its beneficial and nutritional qualities have given it wide popularity not only in its native places - Mexico, South America and Asia, but also in Russia. Today, large chains of stores and markets are trying to bring such exotica. In big cities, the Thai red variety is found mainly. It is important to purchase ripe, fresh fruit that retains the same taste and herbal smell. You can understand why the ancient Aztecs admired it so much only by trying dragon fruit or pitahaya.

For an overview of the exotic fruit, watch the following video.

Dragon fruit is quite rare in countries other than where it grows. This is due to the fact that this fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 week. In addition, this exotic fruit does not tolerate transportation very well, especially over long distances. Thanks to such a negative set, dragon fruit, if it reaches the shelves of our country, becomes very expensive.

This exotic fruit has many names that will be used in this article. Let's take a closer look at what this fruit is.

Description and origin of dragon eye fruit

The birthplace of the pitahaya fruit is America, since the first mention of this fruit can be found in the ancient history of the Aztecs. The Indians were very fond of eating dragon heart fruit due to its taste and ability to quench thirst, since pitahaya consists of 85% water. Currently, pitahaya is widespread throughout East Asia, and also grows in Mexico, Japan, China, Australia and even Israel.

One ancient legend says that the pitahaya received its name due to the scales it has, which in appearance resemble the scales of mythical dragons. This legend also says that this dragon heart was obtained from a slain dragon. Thanks to the love for this fruit, all these mythical creatures were defeated. Thus, an undying memory of the life of dragons on earth appeared.

The plants on which these fruits grow are are climbing cacti, on the edges of the thorny branches of which juicy fruits of various colors are formed and filled with juice.

A very interesting fact is that Full flower opening occurs only at night. The hanging white flowers are very fragrant, and when they fade, the ovary of the fruit is formed, this period takes about one month, one and a half.

Currently, there are special industrial farms for growing pitahaya, which can harvest 6 harvests in one season.

Composition of dragon eye fruit

For 100g of fruit pulp there is:

In addition, the fruits have a fairly low calorie content, which is about 50 kilocalories per 100 g of product.

Main types and varieties of dragon heart fruit

Depending on the variety, these fruits may differ in size, peel structure, peel color, and pulp color. There may be small bulges on top, the structure of the skin resembles a pineapple or natural scales, thanks to which this fruit received the name dragon fruit.

These fruits are very useful for those people who follow a dietary diet. You can arrange various fasting days on this fruit crop.

Pitahaya has gained popularity thanks to its three types, which are the most popular and delicious:

• Pitahaya white. In Vietnam, this species is called dragon. This variety is the most exotic and popular. The fruit has a pink peel with red scales, the flesh inside is white, very soft, with a pleasant aroma and taste. The pulp contains a large number of black seeds.
• Pitahaya red. This species is also called Costa Rican pitaya. The skin of the fruit is bright pink, the flesh is creamy red with an even richer flavor. Inside the pulp there are black seeds, like those of the familiar kiwi.
• Pitahaya yellow. This species is often called prickly pear. Externally, the fruit is a bright yellow lemon with large pimples. Inside the fruit there is white pulp with multiple black seeds. This type is considered the most aromatic and sweet.

As for the weight of the fruit, it can be very diverse, ranging from 150 g to 800 g. You can even find giants whose weight is measured in kilograms. The fruit has a very soft peel that can be easily removed with a sharp knife. Depending on the subspecies, the taste of the fruit differs; it is quite delicate and slightly sweet. Some consider pitahaya to be bland. But there are practically no people who would not like this fruit.

Due to their bright appearance, these fruits are often used to decorate holiday tables. It is recommended to serve dragon fruit chilled. so that its taste is more pronounced and delicate. The numerous black seeds in the pulp are quite healthy, but they must be chewed thoroughly during consumption, as they take a long time and are difficult to digest.

The fruits can be cut lengthwise into two equal parts and guests can simply enjoy the taste of the chilled fruit. Pitahaya can also be cut into several slices, like melon or watermelon.. This fruit can be combined with other fruits of contrasting color and taste.

Some fall pitahaya in the form of an exotic salad, and the peel of the fruit acts as an exclusive utensil. This fruit is usually accompanied by other ingredients that are not too strong in terms of taste so as to dull the taste of the pitaya itself.

The pulp from the fruit is also used for making various exotic cocktails, as well as soft drinks. For example, to make a refreshing cocktail, you need to mix dragon fruit juice with green lime or lemon juice.

Pitahaya is widely used in wine production. In addition, various jams, preserves, jellies are prepared from dragon fruit, added to sauce or gravy, milk yoghurts, ice cream and sorbet are made. The flowers themselves can be roasted and brewed into a fragrant flower tea.

Based on all that has been said, we can conclude that the use of dragon fruit in the food industry is quite wide, both pulp and peel are included. Even the inflorescence has found its use.

Health benefits of dragon fruit

Pitahaya has many different beneficial properties. The main advantage of the fruit is its low calorie content. This product is quite well absorbed, so it is recommended to use it for intestinal diseases.

Harm and contraindications of dragon eye

Despite the many beneficial properties, this exotic fruit can cause allergic reactions, so people who suffer from this should use this product with caution. If no negative consequences have arisen after consuming the fruit, then you can begin to actively enjoy this unusual fruit without any fear.

People who have various chronic diseases should definitely consult with an experienced specialist before consuming the fruit to avoid negative emotions.

If you eat a lot of fruit at one time, your urine and feces may turn red, which is completely harmless to the body.

As for young children, dragon fruit should be given to them with caution so as not to cause a disorder or diathesis.

If we talk about a scientific point of view, pitahaya does not have any special contraindications. Eating fruits should begin slowly and slowly.

How to choose the right fruit?

If you are purchasing this exotic delicacy for the first time, then you must follow several rules:

• Pay attention to the color of the peel; it should be a bright shade without any spots. This indicates that the fruit is overripe.
• Good fruits are soft to the touch, similar to ripe kiwi, but not sour.
• You should not purchase fruits that are too hard, unless ripening in the refrigerator is intended.
• If pitahaya has dry growths on leaves, this indicates that the fruit was stored for a long time after being picked. The fresher the pitahaya is, the more nutrients it retains.

Review of the exotic fruit - pitahaya: what it looks like, where it grows, what is its usefulness, chemical composition and taste, dragonfruit calorie content and interesting facts.

Dragon fruit or pitahaya is the fruit of a plant from the cactus family, a relative of sweet pitaya. The plant itself does not look like an ordinary tree or palm; it is an epiphytic vine-like climbing cactus. The homeland of this bizarre cactus is Mexico, America (Centre and South). Now the plant is cultivated in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries of Southeast Asia and Australia. There are some other names for the fruit that it is called in Asia - pitaya, dragonfruit and pitahaya.

The photo shows a pitahaya tree with fruits

Pitahaya blooms exclusively at night with white fragrant flowers. After 30–50 days, fruits with sweet creamy pulp and a pleasant delicate aroma are set on the trees. It’s hard to imagine, but one such cactusoliana can bear fruit up to 6 times a year (approximately 30 tons per hectare).

Appearance and taste of dragon fruit

Exotic fruits also look exotic, pitaya is no exception: bright pink, the size of a large apple, elongated in shape, covered with large scales with the ends of a bright light green color, there is also an external resemblance to a small pineapple. The average fruit weight is 300–500 grams, there are also larger ones up to a kilogram. The shell is soft and easy to cut with a regular knife. Depending on the variety, the tender pulp is also multi-colored - from purple to colorless (white). There are a lot of small seeds inside it, like in kiwi, they are practically not felt in the mouth.

There are many varieties of dragon fruit. They all differ in shape, size, color (pulp and peel), even in the number of scales on the skin. The most common types:

• Red pitahaya, with a bright pink shell and white flesh. Its taste is fresher with herbal notes of aroma;
• Costa Rican, with red skin and red flesh;
• Yellow, with a yellow shell and white inside. This is the sweetest variety of pitahaya and the most aromatic (I haven’t found it in Thailand).

If we compare the taste of dragon fruit with fruits that are already common to us, we can define it as kiwi-banana. Although the taste is barely noticeable, there are fruits that are almost tasteless.

Choose ripe pitahaya for food. It is soft to the touch (evenly over the entire surface). There should be no obvious dents or rotten spots. Red varieties have a distinctive feature: the darker the color of the peel, the richer the taste.

1. like a banana, you peel off the peel with your hands (pull the top scales) and eat the pulp like an apple;
2. cut into slices and eat in slices like an orange;
3. cut the peel without touching the flesh and peel it off as you eat the inner contents.

Chemical composition of pitahaya

Dragon fruit is best eaten fresh, but in some countries it is used to make jams, sorbet and sauces. For example, in Mexico they make excellent wine from it.
Pitahaya is a dietary product; 100 g of dragon fruit pulp contains no more than 50 kcal, as well as:

• Fats - 0.1–0.58 g
• Proteins - 0.52 g
• Carbohydrates - 10?13.5 g
• Fiber - 0.35?0.9 g
• Water - up to 90 g
• Ash - 0.5 g

Vitamins and microelements contained in dragonfruit:

• - from 5 mg to 25 mg
• B3 - from 0.2 mg to 0.4 mg
• Iron - from 0.35 mg to 0.69 mg
• Potassium - 110 mg -115 mg
• Phosphorus - from 15.5 mg to 35 mg
• Calcium - from 6 mg to 9.5 mg

This is not just a beautiful exotic fruit, but also healthy. It helps especially well in the presence of gastrointestinal problems (for example, bloating). The pitahaya pulp is very watery with the presence of small seeds, which almost always causes diarrhea. But this is not bad, the intestines also need to be cleaned. The black small seeds themselves are rich in tannin - this is good for vision. The pulp of a ripe dragon fruit contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins B and C. All this is good for the functioning of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems; patients with diabetes can safely eat the fruit, it reduces glucose in the blood.

Due to its low calorie content, pitahaya is used in dietary recipes; it provides satiety without adding fat cells.

Dragon fruit has also found its use in perfumery and cosmetics: in shampoos, creams and masks.

Pitahaya contraindications

Eating exotic fruits should be treated with caution. For example, a large amount of pitahaya can cause flatulence or heartburn; for some, the pulp is generally contraindicated and can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if you are eating dragon fruit for the first time, you should start trying it with small portions. It is better not to give babies food that is unusual for them at all, as there is a high probability of diathesis.

There is no need to be alarmed if, after eating a large amount of dragon fruit, your urine turns reddish (if you eat red fruits). Diarrhea is also possible.

According to Eastern legend, dragons once had the pitahaya fruit instead of fire. They spewed it out of their mouths when they could no longer breathe out fire. The fruit looked like the scales of an ancient monster and was hidden deep inside its body, which is why it had such a pleasant taste. According to Eastern legend, people’s love for this taste destroyed all the dragons.

The white flowers of the pitahaya cactus vine are brewed into drinks and tea.

Dragon fruit pulp is best eaten chilled; its taste becomes brighter.

One unusual legend. It tells about ancient times and about the mortal battle between people and dragons. Despite their size and strength, dragons lost battle after battle. And every time the exhausted giant could no longer spew out flames at people, he fell out of his mouth. amazing fruit . In different parts of Thailand, this exotic fruit goes by different names - Dragon Heart, dragon fruit, prickly pear, keumangkon, pitahaya, pitaya. According to legend, the taste of this fruit was so amazing that because of it, dragons were exterminated in Thailand. But the fruit plant remains and grows safely on the lands of the kingdom. And only the scales of its fruits remind modern Thais of the sad “dragon” past...

Pitaya fruit: botanical description

Pitaya (Pitahaya) name some species of plants from the Cactus family (mainly the genus Hylocereus - “sweet pitaya”). Wild pitaya is a climbing vine-like epiphytic cactus common in Mexico, South and Central America. The plant has a three-lobed stem reaching a height of 10 meters. Today the plant is cultivated in many countries of Southeast Asia - Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Japan, as well as in Hawaii, Israel and northern Australia.

As befits a real dragon fruit, pitaya blooms only at night. Like giant night moths, pitahaya is covered with large white flowers of a characteristic Cactus shape. The fragrant smell of blooming pitaya fills the magical night air of Thailand with special magic, as if lifting the veil from the Mysterious World of Dragons. The ripened fruit is the same “ Dragon Heart"- consists of a soft-tasting, creamy, white pulp.

Pitaya is well adapted to life in tropical climates. 30 - 50 days after flowering, fruits set. In good years, it is possible to get up to 6 harvests from one plant. In countries neighboring Thailand, where pitahaya is grown on an industrial scale, up to 30 tons are obtained per hectare exotic fruit annually.

The pitaya fruit has an oval or elongated shape and weighs 150 - 800 grams. Fruit size, flesh color (cream, white, purple, pink) and skin color (yellow-orange to purple) vary depending on the plant species. The most common species are yellow pitahaya, Costa Rican pitahaya and red pitahaya. The pulp of the fruit contains many small black seeds rich in valuable lipids. However, in order to “extract” these lipids, the seeds must be chewed - they are not digested in their “whole” form. The skin of the dragon fruit is inedible.

Beneficial properties of pitaya (pitaya)

In ripened fruit pitaya contains many useful substances: phosphorus, protein, vitamins C, B, iron, calcium, niacin, riboflavin. Eating pitaya normalizes intestinal function, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, and helps with stomach disorders and bloating. The seeds of the fruit contain a lot of tannin, which strengthens vision and helps with diabetes. In addition, pitaya is low-calorie - it can be safely eaten during a diet.

In folk medicine it is believed that pitahaya:

• heals cuts and wounds well;
• improves vision;
• increases appetite;
• strengthens memory;
• promotes weight loss.

A medicine is prepared from freshly cut stems of pitaya flowers that acts on the cardiovascular system as an antispasmodic and circulatory stimulant. Thais use the juice from the stems of the plant as an anthelmintic (be careful: the juice is caustic and dangerous if overdosed).

Is pitaya harmful?

The beneficial substances contained in pitaya can cause allergic reactions if you approach the consumption of the Thai fruit “with fanaticism.” Do not eat pitahaya in large quantities! It is also recommended to chew hard-to-digest seeds thoroughly." dragon hearts».

How to eat pitahaya (pitaya)

The skin of pitaya is easily separated from the pulp with a knife. The fruit is cut like a melon and placed in a dish. Eat It is more convenient to scoop out the sweet and sour pitaya pulp with a small spoon. Fruit peel inedible! “Dragon heart” is eaten not only in its raw form. Jams and jams are made from it, and wine is made. Pitahaya- an important ingredient in many other dishes: yoghurts, sauces, sweets, ice cream. The flowers of the plant are brewed with tea. Raw pitaya pulp quenches thirst well.

Storing pitaya

Buying pitaya, make sure that fruit was fresh - it spoils very quickly. Shelf life in the refrigerator is no more than 3 days.