How to Eat Dragon Fruit: Ways and Benefits

You may have encountered some version of this problem with a variety of exotic fruits: you have the raw specimen in hand but are unsure of its consumption. Many people have stared at a fresh dragon fruit, hefting its scaly skin, and wondered, how can I eat this thing? 

Maybe the fruit as-is, said to taste like a subtle blend of kiwi and pear, fell short of expectations set by the honeyed, refreshing beverages you find at Starbucks. You may have heard of the disastrous Pink Sauce, which flouted a number of food and safety concerns and barely contained dragon fruit, if any. But don’t let the first bite deter you from sampling dragon fruit again – it’s chock full of antioxidants, tastes better than broccoli, and is incredibly versatile. 

Here are a few ways you can eat dragon fruit. If you do happen to develop a taste for it, you can even grow it at home using a dragon fruit self-watering planter. 

Dragon Fruit Benefits

It is known for its exotic fruit, but its flowers are spectacular in its own right – ephemeral, blooming only for one night, and monstrously beautiful. Dragon fruit is a great source of hydration, coming from the tropical Americas, where the torrid sun hangs low in the sky. Today, it is grown all over the world.

It is known by a host of names, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear. The most common variety features white pulp with black seeds; the magenta pulp is the most visually striking, and there’s also a variety with yellow pulp. 

Dragon fruit benefits: 

• Excellent Source of Fiber: Can soften stools, which can help you poop. 

• Packed with Antioxidants: Packed with enough antioxidants (vitamin C, anthocyanins, and betalains) that gives your vitamin bottles a run for their money. These nutrients may help reduce the risk of inflammation-related conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

• Low in Calories: Something most people like to hear. Consist of only 50–60 calories per 100-gram serving. 

• Boosts Skin Health: Maybe it's Maybelline, maybe it’s dragon fruit. Dragon fruit aids in collagen production for skin elasticity, combats free radicals to reduce aging signs, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate acne. 

• Hydration: With a high moisture content of over 85%, it’s undoubtedly hydrating. Tastes devilishly good in drinks, unlike your average energy drink. 

Eat Fresh 

For starters, the simplest way is the “eat it like a chocolate candy bar” way, meaning you rip open the wrapper and just eat it. 

1. Choose a ripe dragon fruit. It should have bright, unblemished skin that gives slightly when you press it, similar to an avocado. 

2. Rinse dragon fruit under cold water.

3. Place it on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, slice it vertically from top to bottom.

4. Slice the flesh into cubes, wedges, or spoon it straight from the peel. 

5. Dragon fruit can be added to ice cream, yogurt, fruit salads, or smoothies. 

 

Dragon Fruit Ice Cream            

If you’ve ever received a fancy ice cream maker for Christmas and found it gathering dust, then it’s time to put it to good use. Many ice cream recipes begin with a fruit base, with additives like vanilla, sugar, and heavy cream, which are whisked together until the mixture is smooth. For maximum visual effect, use the pink dragon fruit variety. You can also try this no-churn dragon fruit ice cream recipe. 

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl 

Acai bowls are all the rage – a smart way to make smoothies, filled with maligned ingredients like kale, more palatable. In a dragon fruit smoothie bowl, favored fruits like blueberries and strawberries are sprinkled on top of a dragon fruit base, with delicious toppings like peanut butter, cacao nibs, and granola giving you that sweet fix without the remorse. 

Dragon Fruit Poke Tower

This dragon fruit poke tower may not be the easiest way to utilize dragon fruit, but it’s one of the showiest, featuring a construction that would not be out of place in fine dining. In this recipe, avocado, tofu, and black rice are sandwiched between beefy, fuchsia-hued slices of dragon fruit, the centerpiece of the dish; the creamy siracha mayo, the mainstay of many sushi dishes, is a brilliant accompaniment. You can easily swap the tofu for marinated tuna poke for a non-vegan version.  

Dragon Fruit Smoothie 

Many smoothies seem to fall into the category of either outright disasters or mystery cocktails of dubious ingredients. With this dragon fruit smoothie recipe, the ingredients are simple and clean. It also yields a lovely magenta color, unlike those mystery concoctions that resemble medieval plague stew. Bananas, mango, strawberries, blueberries and pineapple all help complement the smooth, mellow taste of dragon fruit. 

Dragon Fruit Refresher 

It may seem unbelievable, but dragon fruit syrup, ever so brightly pink, was once comprised of fresh dragon fruit. Dragon fruit in itself is somewhat bland – its strength lies in its aesthetic presentation and its subtle sweetness in desserts. Organic dragon fruits, as well as those from Thailand, are said to have the sweetest flavors. Recreate Starbucks famous dragon fruit refresher using this recipe.