Dragon fruit is a food that grows on a climbing
cactus called hylocereus, which you'll find in
tropical regions around the world. The plant’s
name comes from the Greek word "hyle," which
means "woody," and the Latin word "cereus," which
means "waxen." On the outside, the fruit has the
appearance of a hot pink or yellow bulb with
spike-like green leaves shooting up like flames
around it. Cut it open, and you'll find fleshy
white stuff inside dotted with black seeds that
are OK to eat.
This fruit comes in red-
and yellow-skinned varieties. The cactus
originally grew in southern Mexico and South and
Central America. The French brought it to
Southeast Asia in the early 19th century. Central
Americans call it "pitaya." In Asia, it's a
"strawberry pear." Today, you can buy dragon
fruit throughout the U.S.
Dragon fruit is juicy with a slightly
sweet taste that some describe as a cross between
a kiwi, a pear, and a watermelon. The seeds have
a nutty flavor.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition
In
one 6-ounce serving of dragon fruit cubes, you'll
get:
* Calories: 102
* Fat: 0 grams
* Protein: 2 grams
* Carbohydrates: 22
grams
*
Fiber: 5 grams
* Sugars: 13 grams
You'll also get these vitamins
and minerals:
*
Vitamin A: 100 international units
(IU)
* Vitamin C: 4
milligrams
* Calcium: 31
milligrams
* Iron: 1 gram
* Magnesium: 68
milligrams