The
pitaya, also known as dragonfruit or dragon pearl is the
fruit of a pitaya cactus. Native to Central and South
America, the vine-like cactus is also cultivated in Southeastern Asian countries
such as Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The fruit comes in three
types all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:
- Hylocereus
undatus, white flesh with pink skin
- Hylocereus
polyrhizus, red flesh with pink skin
- Selenicereus
megalanthus, white flesh with yellow skin
Sesame-sized
seeds are embedded throughout the flesh.
The
flesh, which is eaten raw, is bland, mildly sweet and low in calories. The flavor
is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit. The fruit may be
converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea.. Although
the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible: after
eating some pitaya, one should have no surprises in the next trip to the bathroom!
