Pitaya, or Dragon Fruit, with juicy white flesh and pink peel covered with leafy shoots, looks delicious and is a real superfruit! It is very rich in nutrients and in fact it is really a vitamin bomb.
Instructions
Step 1
The dragon fruit got its name from the leaves that cover the fruit and resemble dragon scales. The original origin of the fruit is Central America, the size of the fruit is from 10 to 15 cm, weight is up to 500 g.
The white pulp of the fruit contains small dark seeds like kiwi. The taste is sweetish and fresh, which is why it is often used in smoothies. Because of its intense color, designers often use pitahaya as a decoration.
Step 2
Like other vibrant varieties of fruits and vegetables, this fruit is also rich in antioxidants. They act as liquidators of harmful substances in the body, thus preventing the occurrence of cancer and slowing down the aging process.
Pitaya is an excellent source of minerals such as iron and magnesium. Also contains calcium and phosphorus, which are good for teeth and bones, as well as vitamins B, C and E.
Step 3
The B vitamins found in Dragon Fruit play an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. They activate metabolism, promote blood formation. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and improves the absorption of iron.
For colds and also during pregnancy, pitahaya helps maintain the balance of nutrients. The black seeds of the fruit aid in digestion. However, in large quantities, they have a laxative effect. This effect is enhanced if the seeds are chewed.
Pitaya is low in calories: 100 g of fruit pulp contains 60 kcal. The fruit consists of 90% water, which makes it a good supplier of liquid.
Step 4
There are several types of pitaya: white flesh and pink skin, red flesh with pink skin, and white flesh and yellow skin.
Red pulp contains a high amount of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body and affects, in particular, cell growth and the immune system.
Most often grown pitaya with pink skin and white flesh. The yellow dragon fruit is more expensive because it is less cultivated, just like the red-fleshed fruit, which is difficult to cultivate and therefore more expensive.
Step 5
Before eating, the fruit is cut and the pulp is removed, leaving the rind. The pitahaya can be stored in the refrigerator for about 12 days. However, if the fruit heats up, its aroma disappears. The ripe fruit has a pink skin and is pliable when pressed lightly. The peel is not edible.
Most of all pitahaya is imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Breeding it is not so easy, because the plant must be at least 20 years old before the first harvest.
