We often find ourselves in a rut when it comes to our fruit intake. It’s so easy to head down to the local supermarket and pick out those familiar fruits that we all know and love. But how about including some more exotic fruits in your dietDragon fruit is a type of tropical fruit that has a beautiful and unique appearance, tastes delicious and will do your body the world of good. But if you’re not familiar with it, you may find yourself looking at it and wondering how to cut dragon fruit.
In this guide, we’ll give you easy-to-follow instructions on cutting dragon fruit as well as some useful information on this amazing fruit.
Table of contents
What Is a Dragon Fruit?
The dragon fruit comes from a type of cactus known as the Honolulu Queen. This unique succulent has flowers that only open at night. While the cactus is native to Central America, today it grows in various locations around the world.
There are three main types of dragon fruit; the red-skinned dragon fruit with white flesh, the yellow-skinned dragon fruit with white flesh and the red-skinned dragon fruit with red flesh; each with tiny black seeds. The latter is sometimes referred to as the red dragon fruit.
How Does Dragon Fruit Taste?
Dragon fruit has a slightly sweet and fresh taste, with a mild flavour like that of a watermelon. People often describe its taste as a combination between kiwi and pear, and dragon fruit flesh has a soft texture similar to that of ripe kiwi fruit. The taste of this tropical fruit varies among different varieties, but many can agree that dragon fruit tastes delicious.
What Are the Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is very low in calories and high in protein so it’s an excellent choice for people who are looking to control their weight. It’s also packed with things like iron, Vitamin C and magnesium all of which are essential for your health.Dragon fruit is also filled with antioxidants so it’s great for giving your body a boost. What’s more, thanks to its high fibre content, it’s known for its ability to improve gut health.
One study showed that dragon fruit may have the potential to reduce insulin resistance and have effects on fatty liver disease.
How to Cut Dragon Fruit
The great thing about dragon fruit, aside from its nutritional benefit, of course, is that it’s very easy to cut. What’s more, there are several options so you can prepare dragon fruit and serve it in a way that suits you.
Cutting Dragon Fruit Into Wedges
If you’re going to be dividing a ripe dragon fruit between several people then cutting it into wedges is an excellent way to serve it.Make sure that you remove the top and bottom sections by placing the dragon fruit onto your cutting board and using a sharp knife to cut the ends off. A utility knife or santoku knife is ideal for this.
Next, continue by cutting the dragon fruit directly down the centre lengthways. From here, you will be able to cut wedges and spread them onto your fruit platter for easy sharing. Not to mention the presentation looks amazing. Note that you can remove the skin prior to serving but you’ll likely not need a knife for this as it usually just peels away using your fingers.
Cutting Dragon Fruit In Half
The simplest and easiest method of cutting dragon fruit is to cut it in half. You can do this either horizontally or vertically. The idea is to use the skin as a bowl from which to scoop the flesh.As before, your best bet will be a utility or santoku knife but just make sure that it is sharp so that you get a clean cut. The skin of the dragon fruit is anything but tough but using a dull knife will make life more difficult.
Cutting Dragon Fruit Into Cubes
It is also possible to cut dragon fruit into cubes which is an excellent option if you make fruit salads. It goes very well with fruits like kiwi or papaya and will certainly brighten up your dish.You will need to begin by following the steps for cutting the dragon fruit into wedges, as we discussed earlier. Next, take your knife (a paring knife works well here) and slide it in between the flesh and the skin to remove it. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and it’s ready to eat!
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit has a very fresh and light taste which makes it incredibly easy to eat as a light snack or as part of a larger meal. The most obvious way to eat it is to cut ripe dragon fruit and include it in a smoothie, smoothie bowl or fruit salad but there are some more exciting options if you prefer.In summer, when you need a seriously refreshing snack, frozen dragon fruit is delicious and cooling. You’ll need to cut it into cubes and freeze it for up to two hours. Alternatively, some people like to use dragon fruit to make ice lollies. You can use it alone or combine it with other fruits like mango or pineapple.
While it might sound a little odd, dragon fruit goes extremely well with avocado, especially in a smoothie! Try to add other sweet ingredients such as coconut milk, pineapple, mango and other sweet fruits and you’ll be amazed at how delicious it is. Not to mention it’s bursting with goodness!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to add some new and exciting fruits to your diet then the dragon fruit is one that will certainly spice things up. This unique-looking fruit has a bright, fresh taste and is incredibly good for you.There are several ways you can cut and serve dragon fruit and if you are looking to get a little more creative then why not try making dragon fruit ice lollies or smoothies? The only limit is your imagination!
