Why is dragon eye fruit useful? Pitahaya: Heart of the Dragon. In agriculture

Under the name of this exotic fruit, the fruits of the cacti of the families Hylocereus and Stenocereus (Hylocereus, Stenocereus) are combined. Pitahaya can also be found under the names: pitahaya, dragon fruit or dragon fruit, dragon eye - in Vietnam, mangkon - in Thailand. However, no matter how pitahaya is called, it appearance, the features of the pulp and taste will not allow you to make a mistake that these are the fruits of the indicated varieties of cacti.

The exact origin of the pitahaya is unknown, but the fruit spread and gained prominence from the region between the southwestern United States and Mexico. Their natural habitat is considered to be tropical and subtropical deciduous forests located at altitudes from 0 to 2000 meters above sea level.

These cacti were introduced to Hawaii in the 1830s, and in the middle of the last century, pitahaya began to be grown in Vietnam. From where they spread to southern China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and Taiwan. In addition, pitahaya can be found in the Bahamas, Antilles, Bermuda and Costa Rica.

Currently, pitahaya is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of many countries for agricultural production and marketing of fruits. The world's leading pitahaya producers are Mexico, Nicaragua and Israel. For commercial cultivation, it is necessary to organize a system of trellises and garters in order to collect together the branchy crown of the cactus and raise it from the surface of the earth.

Hilocereus is climbing plant of the cactus family, is an epiphytic plant that attaches to tree trunks with roots growing throughout the stem. Cactus does not harm trees, but with their help it reaches more illuminated areas at the top, and there it extracts moisture from the air. At the same time, the hilocereus also has underground roots that develop from stems creeping along the ground.

The stems of the pitahaya have a triangular cross-section and are juicy, fleshy, branched modified branches, reaching a width of 5 centimeters. They contain the reserves of water and nutrients that allow the plant to survive during periods of drought and other extreme conditions.

Each potential bud on the stems of a cactus has 2 to 5 short thorns, from such buds new stems or flowers can develop. Pitahaya has large tubular flowers up to 35 centimeters in diameter, white or color pink... The cactus blooms only one night, while exuding a strong pleasant aroma. The next day, the flowers wither, giving a start to the growth of fruit ovaries.

The pitahaya fruit itself is an edible, fleshy berry, ovoid or o round shape 10 to 15 centimeters in diameter. The color of the skin of the dragon fruit can be red, purple, yellow, and leaf-shaped greenish petals are present on the surface. The flesh of the pitahaya is white, red, pink or yellow with numerous tiny black seeds interspersed. The weight of the fruit varies from 200 to 1000 grams and has a sweet, slightly tart taste. The harvest season for pitahaya is from June to September.

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Dragon fruit, pitaya or pitahaya, what is it? Many have seen it, heard of it, or tried it. In fact, dragonfruit, pitahaya, are exotic representatives of climbing liana-like cacti, (Hilocereus and Stinocereus), common in Central and South America and Mexico.

Today, the dragon fruit is successfully grown in the countries of Southeast Asia. The main exporters of pitaya are Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and others. Liana-like cacti, with its unusual fruits, grow well and are cultivated in countries with subtropical and tropical climates.

The English name for this fruit is dragon fruit, dragonfruit is also a common name for the fruit.

The ancient Aztecs were already familiar with dragonfruit. Since Mexico is his homeland, the Indians willingly ate the pulp of the dragonfruit for food, and used the seeds, grinding and adding to food as seasoning.

There is an ancient legend, which, of course, is associated with dragons and tells about the incredible origin of the fruit, as if the fruit appeared during the wars. Dragons, weary of battles, sometimes spewed these fruits instead of flames. People believed that somewhere in the very middle of the monster, amazingly delicious dragonfruits were hidden. So, in pursuit of fruit delights, the warriors killed all the dragons. And only dragonfruit of an unusual shape and color, grows beautifully, pleases us with an extraordinary taste, and resembles in its appearance the scales of extinct reptiles.

What dragon fruit looks like

The attractive-looking pitahaya fruit has a peel from bright pink to red, oval in shape, framed by smooth leaf-like growths with light green, light green ends. If you look in the section, we will see white pulp with black seeds of a creamy consistency with a pleasant, tasty and delicate aroma.

Due to its aesthetic appearance and glorious smell, dragon fruit is very often used to decorate and decorate tables in restaurants and halls of special events.

The weight of the fruit can be from 200 grams, on average 500-600 grams, but there are also larger representatives of the species, weighing up to a kilogram.

Varieties

The internal content of pitahaya pulp, in accordance with its variety, also differ in color. The pulp is white, bright pink, reddish, up to a purple hue. Types of exotic dragon fruit differ in their shape and size, in the frequency of the location of the scales on the surface of the fruit.

Consider the three main types of dragon fruit:

• White pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus) is the most common type, the taste is rich, but rather bland in relation to other varieties, inside there is white flesh and black small seeds, the fruit is accompanied by a pleasant herbaceous aroma. The fruit is red or bright pink on the outside, with light green scales.

• Yellow pitahaya (Hylocereus megalanthus), grown less often, long-yang, "prickly pear", respectively, with a yellow skin, the scales of which are more like pimples, and white pulp inside, mixed with black seeds, and the yellow dragon fruit is a little sweeter and more aromatic than white and red pitochaia.

• Red pitahaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) Costa Rican has a bright pink, almost red skin, inside is bright red flesh with small black seeds. A more whimsical variety, a very fragrant dragon fruit.

How Dragon Fruit Grows

As mentioned above, a dragon fruit native to Mexico and central and southern America belongs to the cactus family, and is distributed throughout Southeast Asia, and other countries. Heart of the dragon, a fruit that prefers a tropical dry climate, natural habitats of deciduous forests with this climate.

The plant grows up to 10 m in height. In order to rationally use the land where the exotic fruit pitahaya is grown, they organize a whole system of supports and garters to collect the vast branchy crown of the cactus into a single dome, picking it up above the ground.

Hilocereus, a curly member of the cactus family. Since the plant is epiphytic, the dragon fruit attaches itself to tree trunks by aerial roots, and grows along the entire height of the stem, while the cactus, like any epiphyte, does not feed on the nutrients of the trees. The main purpose of the dragon fruit is to reach the illuminated areas at the top, and extract moisture from the air or find organic matter in the numerous cracks of the tree trunk. The plant also has roots and underground, which grow, develop and spread on the ground along the stems.

Three-edged pitahaya stems, modified branches. Juicy and fleshy, they reach a width of five centimeters. They contain a lot of water and nutrients needed for a possible dry season.

On the stems, short thorns are visible, these are a kind of buds from which other stems and flowers of the dragon fruit develop. The flowering period of the pitahaya is short. For just one night, it produces large, about thirty centimeters in diameter, flowers, pink or white, exuding a pleasant aroma. Excessive abundance of moisture is detrimental to plants, leads to dropping of buds and rotting of fruits. Insects pollinate the plant. After the flowers wither, the fruit sets in. A dry climate is important for a cactus. The fruits of the plant appear 30-50 days after flowering. And in a year, pitahaya is capable of producing up to 6 harvests.

How to eat pitahaya

First, let's look at how to choose a dragon's eye fruit. We check the peel, there should be no dark spots, the peel is even in color in accordance with the variety. If the dragon fruit is a little soft to the touch, then the dragon eye is ripe and ready to eat. If the fruit is hard, then leave it in a cool place for a few days, it will ripen and delight you with its taste. But remember that the dragon fruit is stored for 3-4 days, otherwise it will lose its taste and useful qualities.

The ways to peel, and how to eat, dragon fruit are simple:

• remove the peel from the top of the fruit and eat the removed pulp
• cut into slices, such as melon
• carefully cut the peel, separate it, gradually eating the inner contents
• cut the fruit into two parts and use a spoon to eat it as a dessert

Dragon fruit is best eaten chilled; when heated, the taste becomes dull. It is advisable to chew the seeds of the pulp, since they are poorly digested, but contain useful lipids. We'll talk about the benefits of the fruit a little later. The peel is not eaten, and it is unlikely that you will like it.

The consistency of the fruit is like thick sour cream, the pitaya tastes like a mixture of kiwi and. Many people compare the flavor of these fruits to that of Pitochaia.

The pitahaya pulp goes well with other fruits and dishes, the main thing is that no matter what other ingredients include a spicier or sweeter product, otherwise the taste and aroma of the dragon fruit will simply be lost. The dragon fruit is used to prepare salads, yoghurts, smoothies, jams, jellies and all kinds of desserts. They are used in the preparation of soft drinks, alcoholic wines and cocktails. Pithaya flowers are also not ignored, they are added to tea.

Calorie content, chemical composition, vitamins

Pitahaya calorie content per one hundred grams of pulp accounts for only 50 kcal. Dragon fruit contains fiber, vitamins C and B, minerals, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.

• proteins 0.50 g
• fat 0.30 g
• carbohydrates 12.00 gr
• water up to 90 gr
• fiber 07-09 g, a vegetable fibrous substance that cleanses the intestines from toxins and toxins
• ash 0.53-0.67 g, a sorbent that removes toxic substances from the body
• nicotinic acid 0.295-0.427 mg, vitamins PP, B3 are involved in the metabolism of fats, convert food into energy
• ascorbic acid 9.0 mg, protects body cells from hazardous impact free radicals, synthesizes collagen at the biological level, regulates blood clotting, reduces inflammation
• calcium 6.2-8.7 mg, strengthens bones, teeth, takes part in the work of the nervous and immune systems
• phosphorus 30.2-36.00 mg, phosphorus is an important element in the metabolism of fats, helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates, strengthens the skeleton, improves metabolism
• iron 0.55-0.65 mg, necessary for metabolism
• carotene 0.006-0.012 mg, has oxidizing properties, stimulates growth
• thiamine 0.28-0.042 mg, vitamin B1 plays an important role in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
• riboflavin 0.042-0.046 mg, vitamin B2 promotes the formation of red blood cells and antibodies
• E tocopherol - 0.08 mg, protects cell walls from destruction

Pitahaya dragon fruit beneficial properties

Pitahaya is known for its beneficial properties. Dragon fruit is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and trace elements which in turn help in the functioning of the immune system. In case of upset stomach and intestines, it will help to improve digestion and promote the breakdown of fats. The inside of the dragon fruit contains a large number of small black seeds rich in lipids. Lipids are groups of compounds of natural organics. They participate in the formation of cell membranes and therefore the construction of cells in the body is not possible without their participation. Includes fat and fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. But, if the seeds are not chewed, then there will not be much benefit from them.

The pitahaya contains thiamine. Thiamines produce normal growth, support healthy heart function and nervous system... The need for thiamine is especially high for people performing heavy physical activity, it is necessary for athletes to increase the tone of skeletal muscles.

Pitahaya, dragon fruit contains healthy fiber, which is simply necessary for our body, because it slows down the absorption of sugar in the intestines, lowers the glycemic index of the foods we eat. Consequently, blood sugar and insulin levels decrease, which is very important for people with type 2 diabetes.

Pitahaya helps with heart problems, nervous condition and stress increase the values \u200b\u200bof bad cholesterol in the blood. Dragon fruit helps to cleanse the internal organs of toxins. The antioxidant effect promotes the elimination of free radicals, since the processes of detoxification and binding of free radicals are simply impossible without the necessary level of trace elements for the body.

Dragon fruit is actively used in cosmetology. The presence of fruit acids and vitamins has a beneficial tonic and moisturizing effect on the skin. Masks with pitahaya are very popular among women. And after prolonged exposure to the sun, the fruit pulp will cool and soothe your skin.

1. Pitahaya contains calcium, phosphorus. These trace elements contribute to physical growth, the formation of teeth and bones, and also play a huge role in intracellular processes, largely determine the functionality of skeletal and cardiac muscles.
2. Without vitamins of group B and C, vital processes in future mother and the child, cannot proceed normally, because they strengthen the immune system, help the acidic and lipid metabolism of the body.
3. During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes severe stress, thus increasing the amount of free radicals. Antioxidants are called upon to donate their electrons to free radicals, preventing the destruction of molecules.
4. When using dragon fruit, an excellent source of minerals, swelling decreases, because the cause of swelling can be heart problems, swelling can put additional stress on all organs, this is dangerous for a pregnant woman and an unborn baby.
5. Pitahaya, as a source of many trace elements, helps to cope with fungal and bacterial diseases, which can occur due to a deficiency of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus in a pregnant woman.

Therefore, it is simply necessary to include pitahaya in your diet whenever possible. But remember that dragon fruit is an exotic fruit, and if there is a risk of allergies, then you need to be careful about eating the fruit.

Harm and contraindications

There are practically no contraindications in the dragon fruit. Elimination of an allergic reaction. Therefore, you need to try a little, however, like any exotic fruit. After making sure that there is no negative reaction, you can safely eat pitahaya, enjoying the taste and benefits of the wonderful fruit.

Pay attention to one more moment after the active use of the red dragon fruit, as a result of which, the urine will turn red. Do not be alarmed, this will not affect your health in any way.

The plant called "Dragon's Eye" has the botanical name longan. It belongs to the Sapindov family of dicotyledonous flowering plants.

It is not surprising that this plant is called the eye. The peeled fruit resembles an eyeball, and its bone is a pupil. Why dragon? Most likely because the plant on which these fruits grow grows in Southeast Asia. And there, dragons have a special relationship.

Longan is a tall evergreen tree. In the wild, this plant is rarely found even in its homeland. Usually its cultivars are grown, which are created by breeders in China. Their height is 10-12 m. Moreover, the width of the tree can reach 14 m. The bark is rough, in some countries it is used to heat houses. Leaves are compound, pinnate. The width reaches 5 cm, the length is 20 cm.

In China, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries of this region, longan fruits are found everywhere.

They are sold in supermarkets and can be bought from street vendor layouts. True, there is a risk of buying immature or overripe "dragon eyes". In the first case, they will be tasteless. But you shouldn't throw them away. You need to put off the fruits and wait until they "reach" to readiness. It is worse if overripe fruits are caught. They are not stored for a long time and can turn sour. Therefore, when choosing longan fruits, it is better to take a little unripe. After all, they still need to be transported home to please loved ones or surprise acquaintances. You can store longan fruits in the refrigerator for about a week.

Longan fruits are collected in bunches. Each of them is the size of walnutbut perfectly round. The peel covering the fruit is quite firm. Skin color - shades of brown. It cracks under mechanical stress and can be easily removed. Inside there is a colorless flesh, a seed plant called arillus. A shiny dark round bone is clearly visible through it. This is the seed of the "dragon's eye". Its diameter is about 5 mm. A white dot is visible on the seed. This is the germ of the sprout.

How to consume the fruit

The edible part of the longan fruit is the vitreous arillus. It has a pleasant sweet taste, somewhat reminiscent of kiwi. There are notes of musk in it. It is very simple to feast on it - they remove the skin and eat it raw, throwing out the bones. If there are many fruits, you can make sweet soup, various desserts, drinks from them. Can be prepared for the winter, canned or dried. 100 g of dried fruit contains 286 kcal (100 g fresh - 60 kcal).

It is not for nothing that the longan fruit is called the "eye". They improve vision. Longan fruits are prized not only for their unusual appearance and pleasant taste. The Chinese claim that eating them improves liver health. Longan fruits are used to treat the digestive tract, as an anthelmintic. They lower the temperature for colds.

Longan fruits act on the body as an invigorating agent that improves performance.

They calm the nervous system and help reduce anxiety levels. This is due to the high content of vitamins, iron salts, phosphorus, calcium. Scientists claim that the pulp of the fruit has antioxidant properties. The dragon's eye fruit is more than 80% water. Regular consumption of the fruit improves skin condition.

Some people have an individual intolerance to longan fruits. Therefore, the first time you need to use them carefully. Not fresh fruits can cause indigestion and poisoning.

Growing at home

Most of those who have eaten these fruits are sorry to throw away its bones. There is a desire to plant them in order to grow at home. But will it germinate and grow in conditions that are radically different from the usual? Will you manage to get the fruits? Such questions can be answered in the affirmative. Of course, not everyone will be able to get the fruits. But growing a beautiful home plant that will remind you of unusual fruits is real.

It is good if you can quickly plant seeds in the ground. Their germination rate is very high if the fruit was ripe. It was noticed that in the fruits of longan bought in early summer, it is noticeably lower. If there is no way to plant seeds right away, you need to take care that they do not dry out and shrivel. After all, then germination will be significantly reduced. The seeds are washed, kept in the air for several hours to dry out. Then wipe it with a napkin so that the seeds are not damaged by mold. Wrap it up with another napkin and hide it in foil or a small box. It is advisable to land them in two weeks.

cultivation features:

• The soil for growing longan must be moisture-proof. You can buy a mixture for exotic plants. A drainage layer of small pebbles or river sand is laid at the bottom of the pot.
• You need to plant seeds shallowly, a few centimeters, lightly sprinkling with soil. You can even submerge the seeds two-thirds of the way into the ground so that the top is above the ground.
• When planting, make sure that the white point - the embryo is on the side. This will facilitate the formation of the sprout and root. They do not need to bend, they grow in a straight line.
• Seeds from mature fruits germinate well during normal germination. They are kept in water for 3 days, then sent to the refrigerator for 5 days. Then they are planted in the ground. It's a good idea to scarify the seeds by scratching them with sandpaper or a knife. It is believed that the germination temperature of longan seeds should be at least 24 ° C. Moreover, with bottom heating. But experience shows that they germinate successfully in a glass covered with a damp cloth, even in the refrigerator.
• It is better to plant longan seeds in a deep bowl so as not to transplant a small seedling. It's a good idea to cover the sprout with a jar for the first month.
• If you have planted several seeds in one bowl, and they all sprouted, you will have to dive the seedlings. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the roots and stems of plants. To do this, water the soil abundantly with water at room temperature, wait for it to get wet. It is better to remove it from the pot with a special dive fork.

The planted plants are set in partial shade so that they take root, then transferred to a sunny place.

The plant grows rapidly during the first weeks. But by the end of the first month, growth slows down, and will continue to grow slowly.

Care Tips:

1. Longan needs regular watering. If the soil is dry, it sheds leaves or even dies. Excess moisture does not harm the plant. Moreover, excess water goes through the drainage into the sump.
2. The optimal temperature for longan in summer is 22-25 ° C. But it also withstands a decrease to 12 ° C. Therefore, the plant can be taken outside in the summer. You just need to install it in a place where there are no drafts. A temperature of -2 ° C is unacceptable for him, the plant dies from the cold. In winter, you need to carefully monitor so that the plant is not destroyed by drafts.
3. Longan likes to grow in a well-lit area. In autumn, the plant needs to extend the daylight hours to 12 hours using a phytolamp. If this is not done, the tree will not bear fruit.
4. You can feed or. They accelerate the growth of the tree, the leaves become larger. Formative pruning will help give the tree a beautiful shape. Longan takes it well.
5. In autumn, the number of watering is reduced, the temperature is reduced to 16 ° C. The amount of light is not reduced. Thus, the plant goes through a dormant period, which ideally lasts 3 months.
6. Longan at home can be affected by the scale insect, mealybug. You need to regularly inspect the plant so as not to miss their appearance. Prevention of a mealybug can be regular spraying of the crown with warm water. Pests are destroyed with insecticides intended for indoor plants.
7. Longan leaves may be affected. To combat it, the plant is treated.

Longan begins to bear fruit at 4-7 years. Of course, if he is properly cared for. But even without fruit, this plant will decorate the house thanks to its beautiful leaves.

More information can be found in the video:

The dragon's eye, also known as the pitaya, is the fruit of a cactus. Inside, under the soft reddish, or yellow-orange, depending on the variety, peel hides snow-white pulp with small black bones, but there are also varieties with purple-red pulp. The pulp of the dragon's eye does not have a bright and rich taste, however, it is very juicy, creamy and perfectly quenches thirst, however, the aforementioned variety with lilac pulp usually has a much sweeter taste. The size of the pitaya can vary quite a lot, usually fruits are as long as a palm, however, there are also very large specimens that can weigh up to 1000 grams. This unusual cactus, which grows like a vine, is home to Mexico and other countries in South America.

Using

In the East, wine is made from the fruit of the dragon's eye, and its flowers are brewed into tea. Also, the pulp of this fruit is included in many creams, shower gels and shampoos. In addition to eating fresh fruits, in Colombia, Nicaragua and Guatemala, pitahaya juice is added to ice cream, yoghurts, various sorbets and sweets, and sauces, jams and jellies are prepared from the pulp. The traditional drink in Spain is pitahaya juice with lime. On Mexican farms, high quality alcoholic drinks are made from the fruit: wines and liqueurs. Cactus flowers are also edible, but more often they are brewed as tea.

Composition

Water - 80-90 g
Proteins - 0.49 g
Fat - 0.1-0.6 g
Carbohydrates - 9-14 g
Dietary fiber (fiber) - 0.3-0.9 mg
Ash - 0.4-0.7 g
Calorie content
100 g of pitahaya contains on average about 35-50 kcal.
Vitamins:
Niacin (vitamin B3) - 0.2-0.45 mg
Micro and macro elements:
Potassium - 112 mg
Calcium - 6-10 mg
Phosphorus - 16-36 mg
Iron - 0.3-0.7 mg

Beneficial features

The dragon fruit will be useful for those who have problems with the heart, endocrine system and vision, for example, it is increasingly recommended for patients with diabetes. This is not surprising, because pitahaya has the ability to normalize blood glucose levels. In addition, small edible dragon eye seeds are rich in tannin, a substance that protects brain cells and has anti-inflammatory properties, moreover, it is pitaya seeds that contain saturated omega-3 acids, which help cleanse the arteries. Today, scientists have proven that pitaya also helps lower blood cholesterol levels. Thus, the use of dragon fruit is an excellent prevention of strokes, heart attacks, atherosclerosis and exacerbations of diabetes.

Treatment of diseases

Digestive problems... Pitaya helps to normalize digestive processes, primarily due to the high amount of fiber in it, which helps our intestines to cope with their work. Seeds containing tannin will help relieve inflammation, if any, help stop diarrhea.
Losing weight and dieting. Dragon's eye is perhaps one of the best fruits for weight loss. Judge for yourself, there are only about 40 kcal per 100 grams of pulp! For this reason, pitaya is often included in various fruit diets, because with such a low calorie content, it, moreover, helps to accelerate digestion processes
ARVI prevention... This fruit contains vitamin C, which is useful for everyone from small to large, and especially for people leading an active lifestyle, because it strengthens the immune system and helps us resist colds.
Hemorrhoid treatment... Pitahaya is used internally in the treatment of hemorrhoids, since this fruit has vasoconstrictor properties.
Gastritis. With gastritis of high acidity, pitaya can also be used as an analgesic and relieves heartburn.

For women... Dragon fruit contains a number of elements that have an extremely beneficial effect on the skin, namely B vitamins and calcium. Thus, Vitamin B3, which is part of the pitaya, helps to moisturize the skin, smooth out wrinkles, nourish it, making it younger and more attractive. Well, calcium is the key to beautiful hair, strong nails and healthy teeth, not to mention the general importance of this element for our skeletal system. Pitahaya has recently been "loved" by cosmetologists from many countries.

For pregnant... Each of the elements that make up the dragon's eye will benefit a woman and her unborn baby, so pregnant dragon fruit is not only possible, but also necessary. Vitamins of group B will have a positive effect on the formation of the baby's nervous system, calcium will contribute to the formation of strong bone tissues, and the cleansing properties of the pitaya pulp will come in handy for those who suffer from constipation during pregnancy. In addition, this juicy, light and refreshing fruit, rich in vitamins and microelements, will improve the overall well-being of the expectant mother!

For the elderly. Contains antioxidants, and prevents aging of the body, and also contains trace elements that contribute to the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system

Contraindications

It is better to refrain from eating dragon fruit during the period of exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with individual intolerance to this fruit.

According to an ancient legend, when the warriors fought dragons and brought them to exhaustion, instead of flames from the fearsome mouth of a fierce dragon, his heart flew out - the dragon fruit pitahaya.
These plants are found with different fruits, different skin or pulp colors, different sizes and shapes, as well as taste and formation of growths on the skin.

Kinds

Pitahaya yellow
Pitahaya Costa Rican

Pitahaya red

Growing

In nature, pitaya grows in a dry tropical climate. Excessive rain will cause buds to drop and fruit to rot. The maximum temperature that this plant can withstand well is about 40 C. Pitaya is an epiphyte, therefore this plant has aerial roots, with the help of which it finds nutrients in various cracks where organic matter settles and accumulates. On industrial plantations, they are grown almost like lianas, giving them very strong supports, which over time are covered with a network of sucked aerial roots, and the entire silhouette of the plant on the support acquires a fountain-like appearance. Propagated by stem cuttings. Flowers bloom at night (blooms only one night). Many species of pitaya do not self-pollinate, so pollinating insects are necessary for cross-pollination.Currently, you can get up to 30 tons of ripe pitaya from 1 hectare in one season, and this despite the fact that it ripens several times a year.

Storage and transportation

Fresh dragon eye fruit can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, this will not affect its taste in any way, on the contrary, Thai people say that it is worth chilling the pitaya before eating. This is a very delicate fruit that is difficult to transport. They are laid out in soft boxes separately from each other and transported in refrigerated containers.

Pitaya or pitahaya is an incredibly beautiful fruit, with the same interesting name as its appearance. This delicious and very healthy exotic fruit is used in the preparation of desserts, salads and drinks. How the pitahaya fruit is and what is its use is our topic today.

This interesting exotic fruit has so many names that sometimes you start to doubt about one, and the same fruit, we are talking about. Dragon fruit, dragon fruit, dragon eye fruit, pitaya, pitahaya, dragon heart, and that's not all. In the countries where it is grown, there are several more names. But, it is enough to see this miracle once and you will never forget.

What is the pitahaya fruit

It is a fruit with a bright pink or red skin, smooth with leafy outgrowths. The pulp is white with black seeds, soft and creamy, with a pleasant, delicate aroma. It is because of its beauty that this fruit is often used to decorate tables at special events.

Pitahaya grows on small trees of the cactus family! There are plantations with pitahaya trees in Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Taiwan. Also cultivated in the USA, Australia and Israel.

Today, the main supplier of these fruits to the world market is Southeast Asia, despite the fact that the homeland of the dragon fruit is America.

Dragon fruit is about the size of a large apple, only slightly elongated. One fruit can weigh between 10 and 600 grams, some can reach a kilogram. The dragon fruit tastes like banana and kiwi.

Today, 3 types of pitahaya fruit are most common:

• White pitahaya - pink or red peel, white pulp, black seeds.
• Red - bright pink rind, bright red flesh, richer flavor.
• Yellow - yellow peel, white pulp, black seeds.

The pitahaya fruit is very easily damaged and therefore difficult to transport, especially over long distances. That is why this fruit is very rare in our country, and, moreover, is quite expensive.

Calorie content: This fruit will add vitamins and nutrients quite well, but at the same time it has a very low calorie content. Only 50 Kcal per 100 grams of pulp.

Dragon fruit - beneficial properties

Like all exotic fruits, patahaya contains many vitamins, especially vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, fruit acids, and dietary fiber.

Why the pitahaya fruit is useful:

• Contains a lot of fiberthan helps to regulate the intestines and removes toxins and toxins;

• Rich in antioxidantsand, natural neutralizers of free radicals, which are responsible for the formation of cancer cells and aging of the body;

• Has anti-inflammatory propertieswhat improves the state of health with arthitis and other chronic diseases;

• Good for Diabetessince it regulates blood sugar levels;

Yellow, red and white dragon fruit

• Due to the high content of vitamin C, strengthens the immune system, and regular consumption serves to prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases such as asthma;

• Contains B vitamins - B1, B2 and B3, iron, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, fiber, niacin and vitamin C. It is a good source of nutrients while remaining very low in calories;

• Mask for the face from dragon fruit puree an excellent anti-aging care - increases skin elasticity and tones it;

• Pitahaya pulp perfectly soothes sunburned skin... While on holiday in Southeast Asia, this is a great and natural way to moisturize and revitalize your skin after sunbathing.

In addition to all that has been said, pitaya is simply a delicious and vitamin-rich fruit that also gives incredible aesthetic pleasure.

How to eat dragon fruit

The pulp of the dragon fruit has a sweetish taste, the texture is soft, some of the fruit may seem somewhat bland, so it is recommended to eat it chilled, make juice and even wine. Pitahaya pulp does not go well with pungent foods.

For eating, the dragon fruit is cut vertically in half and the pulp is scooped out with a spoon, or cut into wedges like a melon. The peel is inedible.

There are very interesting way serving pitahaya: The fruit is cut into 2 halves, and with a knife they scoop out all the contents, 2 empty boats remain. Next, the pulp is cut into cubes, if desired, additional decorations or ingredients are added, and put back into the boats from the peel. The result is an incredibly beautiful fruit salad.

How to choose and store pitahaya fruit

When choosing a pitahaya fruit, you should avoid buying an overripe fruit, it usually has more dark spots... It is easier to navigate by the color of the peel, it should be even, and its color bright.

The fruit itself should be slightly soft, like avocado... If the fruit is hard and there is no choice, then you will have to leave it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, it will ripen. The leaf growths should not be dry, this is a sign that the fruit has been lying for a long time after picking.

An interesting video about how the white pitahaya differs from the red one:

The dragon fruit is stored for a short time, only 5-6 days in the refrigerator. The fresher the product, the more useful properties it has.

Dragon heart fruit - contraindications and harm

As usual with exotic fruits, some people are allergic to dragon fruit, so try to eat very little the first time. If no negative reactions followed, then you can safely use this wonderful fruit.

As for other contraindications, science is still unknown about them. Of course, people with chronic health conditions should always consult with their physician before introducing new foods.

The pitahaya fruit, unfortunately, because of its fragility, is almost impossible to find on store shelves in our country, but those who like to relax in exotic countries of Southeast Asia have every chance to try it.