What Is Dragon Fruit?
Although the dragon fruit has only recently found its way into mainstream products like vitamin water and fruit drinks, the fruit has a rich history dating back centuries. It has long been appreciated in its native countries for its vibrant colors, oddly beautiful design and multitudinous health benefits. Does this Spark an idea?
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Geography
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Dragon fruit grows in dry, tropical or subtropical climates, and the plant is not senstive to soil type. The dragon fruit is native to Central America, but it now also grows in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Israel and South America.
Size
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Dragon fruit comes from a vining cactus that may grow on its own or climb onto trees, using roots as anchors.The fruits vary in size, but generally can fit in the palm of a hand and weigh less than a pound.
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Benefits
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The nutritional benefits of the dragon fruit are many, although it has not yet become widely known in Western culture. The fruit helps to lower blood glucose levels, making it a favorite in diabetic diets. The high levels of fiber help reduce fat and regulate digestion, and its carotene promotes strong eye health. Dragon fruit has high levels of vitamins C, B1, B2, and B3, and is also a good supply of phosphorous---which aids in tissue formation---calcium and protein. Fruits with red flesh contain lycopene, which is known to help fight heart disease and cancer, and lower blood pressure.
Features
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The dragon fruit is a particularly beautiful and unusual product of nature. Its flesh can be pink, magenta or white, while its skin comes in varieties of pink and yellow. The cactus from which it grows flowers only at night, and is pollinated by bats and moths. The cactus will produce fruit a few times each year, from large, aromatic and colorful blossoms.
History
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The dragon fruit is said to date back to the Central American Aztecs of the 13th century. The fruit is called pitaya or pitahaya in these regions. The French are believed to have brought the dragon fruit to Vietnam, where it is now exported in large amounts and is known as thang loy.
The fruit is surrounded by a legend that tells of Asian fire-breathing dragons that spewed the dragon fruit just before death in a battle. Soldiers would collect the fruits and present them as gifts to the emperor, before eating the flesh of the dragon to gain strength and come into the emperor's favor.
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