Dragon fruit: beautiful and delicious
The dragon fruit is – contrary to what its name suggests – beautiful. And more importantly: it is tasty and healthy. The blood vessels in particular benefit.
What is it?
The pitaja, also called dragon fruit or dragon fruit, is the fruit of a cactus species. Naturally, the pitaja comes from Mexico and Central and South America, but today it also grows in China and Southeast Asia. The fruit has a thin, dark red, scaly skin without spines. The flesh is red or white with black, edible seeds, and it tastes mildly sweet.
What’s in it?
The Maya attributed health-promoting properties to this fruit in the past. Pitajas contain so-called betacyanins. Research into the health effects of these antioxidants is still in its infancy. But there are indications that betacyanins from pitayas are beneficial for the condition of the blood vessels in diabetes.
What should you pay attention to when buying pitajas?
A fresh pitaja has fresh scales, they should not be black or dried out.
How do you store pitajas?
Not too long. And not in the fridge; black spots may appear.
How do you eat them?
Cut a pitaja in half and scoop out the flesh with the edible seeds. You can also peel and slice. Peeling is done by first cutting off the top and bottom up to the pulp. Then cut the skin from top to bottom and pull it off the flesh.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine
