If you haven’t worked dragon fruit into your post-workout smoothie or morning breakfast bowl just yet, this is the year to do so! Dragon fruit is the fruit of 2023. At least, that’s according to food industry insiders who say the fruit exhibited record growth in 2022, popping up in everything from juice bars to cocktails, and viral TikTok videos.
Before we jump into some of the tasty ways to go about incorporating this fruit into your diet in 2023, you may be wondering what Dragon Fruit is, as it is not so common.
Dragon Fruit 101
If you’re not exactly sure what to make of dragon fruit, don’t fret, it’s not exactly as well-known as a Honeycrisp apple or blackberry. Dragon fruit, which also goes by the names pitaya or strawberry pear, is native to Central America and grows on a vine. The fruit is recognizable by its bright, pink outer skin that’s covered in green leaves that kind of resemble dragon scales – hence the name.
There are actually a few varieties of dragon fruit with the most common variety having that pink skin and white flesh inside with lots of little black seeds. Other varieties may have yellow skin and white or pink fleshy fruit inside.
As for the taste, beneath the tough skin is a soft fruit that’s similar in texture to kiwi. The hundreds of tiny seeds are edible, so don’t worry about removing them. There are way too many anyhow. The fruit’s flavor isn’t overly sweet, but is rather mild – sort of similar to a pear or melon, but completely its own thing. This makes it ideal for all sorts of recipes.
Dragon Fruit Recipes to Try
Dragon fruit boasts nutrients such as fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C, as well as magnesium and iron. It can also be great for digestion and promote skin health. Here are a few recipes that highlight this beautiful tropical fruit.
Dragon fruit smoothie bowl – A banana, dragon fruit, and yogurt base are all that you need to whip up a delicious smoothie bowl. Highlight it with your favorite granola and maybe some coconut on top for a treat just as tasty as it is visually appealing.
Dragon fruit oatmeal – Elevate a bowl of oatmeal at breakfast with the addition of dragon fruit. Add some walnuts and a little honey or cinnamon, and it makes for a refreshing take on a classic breakfast.
Dragon fruit soda – You’ll want to opt for the dragon fruit with pink flesh for this soda as it makes it all the more visually appetizing. Simple syrup, lime, soda water, and one dragon fruit are all you need.
Dragon fruit salad – With its flesh being similar to kiwi, dragon fruit is easy to dice up for adding to a salad. Use it in place of strawberries with some leafy greens and pecans or add it to a fruit salad with mango, kiwi and some Tajin sprinkled on top for an exotic twist.
These are merely a few of the many ways you can try using dragon fruit in 2023.
Is trying new things one of your goals for 2023? As a resident of Caliterra, there are a variety of options around every corner to help you expand your horizons and reach your goals. To learn more about our master-planned community, our amenities, homes, and more, reach out to us today.
