Buying a good dragon fruit (also known as pitaya) involves selecting a ripe and high-quality fruit.
Here are some tips to help you choose the best dragon fruit:
- Imported dragon:Most imported dragon fruit have been pick to immaturely and generally have been stored and transported for at least 40 days before they hit the supermarket shelf. Look for dragon fruit from farm gates or local markets for superior quality dragon fruit.
- Appearance: Look for a dragon fruit that has bright, vibrant colors. The skin should be evenly colored, whether it's pink, red, or yellow. Avoid fruits with dull or faded colors as they might be overripe or of lower quality.
- Texture: The skin should be firm but not too hard. Gently press the fruit with your fingers; it should have a slight give without being too soft or mushy. If it's too soft, it might be overripe.
- Spots or Blemishes: Check for any bruising, mold, or soft spots on the skin. A good dragon fruit should be free from major blemishes.
- Scales: On the surface of the dragon fruit, you should see scale-like leaves or spikes. They should be evenly spaced and well-defined.
- Size: Dragon fruits come in various sizes, and the size doesn't necessarily indicate its quality. Choose a size that fits your preference and needs. Some of the smaller varieties can be the best tasting too.
- Aroma: Some dragon fruit varieties have a mild, sweet aroma when ripe. However, the aroma might not be as pronounced as other fruits. Rely more on appearance and texture to judge ripeness.
- Season: Dragon fruits in Australia are in season through out Spring, Summer and Autumn . This is the best time to buy and try eating dragon fruit. When you buy in season dragon fruit you get better quality and fresher fruit.
- Variety: There are different varieties of dragon fruits, such as pink fleshed, purple fleshed, white-fleshed and red-fleshed. The taste and sweetness may vary slightly between varieties, so you may want to try different types to find your favorite.
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Storage: How to store your dragon fruit when you get home? Dragon fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days if not consumed immediately. Cooling dragon fruit can improve the eating experience and make your dragon fruit a refreshing summer treat. However, they are best enjoyed when fresh and ripe.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of buying a delicious and high-quality dragon fruit.
Add dragon fruit to smoothies, salads and deserts.
Enjoy this tropical treat!