Dragon Fruit
A brightly colored fruit with a white or pink interior containing many small black edible seeds, Dragon Fruit originated in Central and South American, and is now cultivated in the US. This is a beautiful, delicious fruit that contains high amounts of vitamin C and dietary fiber - the flesh of this exotic fruit is sweet, quite refreshing and similar to melons in flavor. Dragon Fruit is best eaten ripe - a gentle give to the fruit indicates ripeness - and can be stored in a cooler for a few days. Cut fruit in half (best eaten chilled and sprinkled with lemon or lime to enhance the flavor), and scoop out the flesh - the shell of the Dragon Fruit can be used as a serving container for a fabulous presentation. The flesh can be cut in cubes, strips, or whatever appeals, and is very impressive when served with other fruit, or used as a garnish.
Also known as Pitaya, the Dragon Fruit is sometimes referred to as orchid cactus because of its beautiful flowers - the flowers bloom at night. Other names applied to this fruit include: Red Pitahaya, Night Blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night - a rather famous hedge exists in Honolulu, where the Dragon Fruit grows on a lava rock wall - planted in 1836 - this hedge is about three football fields long, and from July through October the hedge blooms, and numerous travelers visit in the evenings to view this spectacular work of nature. Dragon Fruit grows on a vine, or climbing cactus, and requires little water, but lots of warm days and sunshine.
Since the early 90's, American consumers have increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables per day by about 25%. Ironically, about 33% of the vegetable consumption includes French fries, iceberg lettuce and potato chips! The five-a-day program has been ongoing for some time, and nutritionists are now encouraging the consumption of nine fresh fruit and vegetables a day with the emphasis on "fresh". Multiple health benefits can be achieved when fresh fruit and vegetables are included in one's daily diet -- lower risk of many cancers, diabetes, stroke, macular degeneration, osteoporosis and heart disease. Unfortunately, about 10 million Americans have taken fresh fruit out of their daily diets as a result of low carb dieting - this is not good as far as long-term health is concerned.
With more and more exotic and tasty fruit available in produce departments today, there are great opportunities to add a wide-spectrum of flavor and health benefits to your daily diet. Many parents find it difficult to get their children involved in healthy eating habits, so including them in the selection of fresh fruit could be a good start in better eating - allow them to select one new fruit on each shopping experience, prepare the fruit and let the rest of the family know where it comes from, nutritional advantages and some history -- this could turn the shopping experience into a valuable, healthful eating program.
Dragon Fruit is available on a special order basis from J&J Distributing - Please ask your Marketing and Sales Representative about ordering.