This Is the 1 Best Thing To Do With Dragon Fruit, According to Produce Pros ...Saudi Arabia

If you’ve ever perused the tropical fruit section at your local grocery store and come away with more questions than answers (plus an empty cart), we hear you. Between the purply passion fruits and spiky rambutans, the produce aisle can sometimes feel intimidating. But instead of grabbing your usual mango, what if we told you that a bright dragon fruit is the one you should be buying? After all, it’s beautiful, mysterious and a short reach away from your beloved mango (and just as versatile in the kitchen). Whether you’re wondering what it tastes like, how to pick one or even what to do with it once it’s in your home, we’ve got the straight info on this hot pink beauty from produce experts. Between them, they’ve seen dragon fruit go from a niche curiosity to one of the most popular trending tropical fruits in the U.S. in the last five years. And they actually have a pretty unexpected recommendation for the best thing to do with dragon fruit.Let’s dive in.Related: What the Heck Is Star Fruit and How Do You Eat It?

"Dragon fruit is a fruit of a vining cactus plant," explains Robert Schueller, director of public relations at Melissa’s Produce. "In Central and South America, it is called 'pitaya.' However, now it is only referred to as 'dragon fruit' in the U.S." David Dudley, senior category manager of produce at Sprouts Farmers Market, adds that it’s the edible fruit of several species of climbing cacti in the Cactaceae family, with leathery, scale-like skin "resembling a dragon’s skin (hence the name)." Dragon fruit is native to the Americas, specifically southern Mexico and the Pacific coasts of Central American countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Ecuador, where it has been consumed by indigenous peoples for centuries. It also has a pretty unique life cycle. Schueller notes that "the flower blooms at night and is pollinated by moths, bug and bats." Dragon fruit is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie fruit with proven benefits for digestion, immunity, heart health and more, particularly when consumed as part of a balanced diet, says Dudley. Its benefits stem from its rich nutrient profile, including vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, with slight variations between white-fleshed, red/pink-fleshed and yellow-skinned varieties.Related: The One Fruit a Gastroenterologist Is Begging People To Eat More Of

Types of Dragon Fruit

In the U.S., you’ll typically see three main types of dragon fruit at the market:

"Its flavor is generally refreshing but not overpowering, making it versatile for pairing with stronger-tasting ingredients," says Dudley. "Dragon fruit, in general, has a mild, subtly sweet flavor that’s often compared to a cross between kiwi, pear and watermelon."Dudley gives Parade the breakdown of each type of dragon fruit: "The white-fleshed variety is more neutral, with a faint sweetness and earthiness with occasional hints of floral or citrus notes. The red- or pink-fleshed variety is sweeter, juicier and sometimes carries berry-like undertones due to higher natural sugar content. Its flavor is generally refreshing but not overpowering, making it versatile for pairing with stronger-tasting ingredients." He adds that the yellow-skinned dragon fruit is the sweetest variety, with notes of kiwi, pineapple and mango.

Where Can You Buy Dragon Fruit?

Seasonal crops from California and Florida typically arrive to stores in late summer through early fall, but if you’re near a Sprouts Farmers Market, Dudley says you can "almost always find dragon fruit" there, noting that Sprouts is a pioneer in the tropical fruit category and even air-freights in yellow dragon fruit to keep it available for its customers. Fresh is in with the fruits, and frozen dragon fruit can be found in with the frozen fruit. Schueller adds that Melissa’s Produce has been distributing dragon fruit in almost every state and major city for the past 18 years, and that it’s always available from multiple growing regions, including Vietnam year-round and seasonally from Ecuador, California, Florida, Nicaragua and Honduras.

According to Schueller, dragon fruits are typically fresh and ready to go when you find them at the store. "Look for fruits that are not super soft, bruised or moldy on the skin or stem/flower end," he says, noting that the fruit can be refrigerated for up to 10 days. Dudley notes that ripeness is often gauged by skin color, from green (stage 1) to fully colored (stage 5), explaining, "A dragon fruit purchased in the 2 to 3 color range will color up at room temperature in a few days or store for up to a few weeks in the refrigerator."

Related: The One Fruit a Neurologist Is Begging People Over 50 To Eat More Of

The #1 Best Thing To Do With Dragon Fruit, According to Produce Experts

Many of us know that fresh dragon fruit is great sliced into a fruit salad, on skewers or as part of a tropical platter (and, of course, we have to include smoothies on the list as they're usually the top use for frozen dragon fruit). But both experts actually cite savory uses for their favorite way to use dragon fruit. Schueller recommends a salsa or chutney, and Dudley's specialty is dragon fruit-stuffed tacos. "It's a creative fusion taco with dragon fruit as a fresh, juicy topping," he says. "The white variety’s mild flavor pairs well with spicy and savory elements, adding a refreshing crunch. Red-fleshed could work for a sweeter taco, but yellow might overpower the savory filling." Here's how he does it: Fill soft corn tortillas with grilled fish or pork, shredded cabbage, and small cubes of white-fleshed dragon fruit. Add a mango-habanero salsa for heat and a dollop of Greek yogurt for creaminess. Garnish with fresh cilantro.Related: 'This Copycat Starbucks Dragon Drink Tastes Like a Tropical Vacation'

So, we've heard about fresh dragon fruit. What about frozen?First things first, you can freeze fresh dragon fruit, but texture changes are inevitable since the fruit is nearly 80% water. Schueller advises peeling, slicing and freezing in bags for up to six months. Dudley says freezing preserves its flavor and most nutritional value and works well for smoothies, desserts or snacks. However, buying frozen chunks is preferred if you’re going to be making something like smoothies or acai bowls.Aeli Miller, the brand manager at Pitaya Foods says that, of course, smoothies or smoothie bowls are popular uses for frozen dragon fruit, but they're also seeing people use it in breakfast staples like chia pudding, overnight oats or creating drinks. "Recreate your favorite refresher or lemonade at home by blending in our Dragon Fruit Cubes for natural flavor, without the added sugars you often find in syrups," she says. "Hosting a happy hour? Muddle them into a cocktail or mocktail for a photo-worthy drink." Breakfast meal prep gets an upgrade too.

And for those who want an especially refreshing treat, she suggests, "Use your favorite gadget (hello, Ninja Creami) to whip up a bright, refreshing dragon fruit sorbet or gelato!"

Related: Trader Joe’s ‘Super Refreshing’ New Drink Tastes Just Like a Starbucks Favorite, Fans Say

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