Fun Facts
- Another name for a dragon fruit is a ‘pitaya’
- A dragon fruit grows on a cactus, not a tree.
- The peel of a dragon fruit is normally pinkish-red or yellow, with wavy green leaves.
- The pulp (inside) of a dragon fruit can be red, pink or white and sprinkled with tiny, edible, black seeds.
- The dragon fruit flower blooms from evening to midnight, and so it is pollinated at night by moths and bats.
Where do we come from?
Dragon fruit was first grown in countries across Central and Northern South America. These included Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Today this fruit is becoming more and more popular. It is now grown all over the world in South-East Asia, America (especially Southern California and Florida), the Caribbean, Australia and across other tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Test Yourself! Can you locate all of these countries on a map?
I am good for you!
Like all fruits and vegetables dragon fruit is low in sodium, calories and fat and it is also a good source of dietary fibre. But dragon fruit is especially good for you because …
- Dragon fruit contains lots of vitamin C, which is good for your skin, blood vessels and your bones.
How to eat me!
It can be hard to figure out how to eat a new fruit or vegetable if you have never tried it before but don’t worry! It is very easy and the sweet, yummy taste means it is definitely worth it! Here are a few simple steps to follow, to make it simple:
- Select a ripe fruit with a bright and evenly coloured skin.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit in half (get a parent to do this for you).
- Either use a spoon to eat the fruit from the inside of the skin or use a knife to peel the skin off, and slice it into smaller pieces.
Ideas for eating dragon fruit
Dragon fruit tastes a little bit like the combination of a kiwi fruit and a pear – we know, it sounds weird, but we promise it is delicious if you give it a try!
It is really yummy on its own, but it also goes great with many different dishes. Here are a few of our ideas to get you started, let us know what you think and try and come up with some ideas of your own!
- Chop it into small chunks, then add greek yoghurt and granola or nuts.
- Add it to a salad at lunchtime or as a side to a meal.
- Eat it with a little bit of ice-cream for a yummy dessert – vanilla is our favourite but it goes with all flavours!