Pitaya

The pitaya (also known as pitahaya, dragon fruit, huǒ lóng guǒ (火龍果/火龙果), strawberry pear, nanettikafruit, or thanh long) is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus, but also see Stenocereus. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, these vine-like epiphytic cacti are also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. They are also found in Taiwan, Okinawa, Israel, and southern China. The pitaya only flowers at night; they are large white flowers that are often called Moonflower or Queen of the Night.

The species Stenocereus gummosus in the Sonoran desert has been an important food source for Native American peoples. The Seri people of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit of the pitaya agria (Spanish), which the Seris call ziix is ccapxl "thing whose fruit is sour".

The name of the fruit was later changed to dragon fruit to boost sales. It made a significant difference in the marketability of the fruit. ^{[citation needed]}

Cultivation

The plant has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. The dragonfruit sets on the cactus-like tree 30-50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year. ^{[citation needed]}

Pests, diseases and problems

Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. There is a bacterium named Xanthomonas campestris, which causes the stem flesh to rot. The fungus Dothiorella can cause brown spots on the fruit, but is not common.

Fruit

The fruit comes in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:

Hylocereus undatus, white flesh with pink skin
Hylocereus polyrhizus, red flesh with pink skin
Selenicereus megalanthus, white flesh with yellow skin

The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams and the flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories. Eating the fruit is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit due to a prevalence of sesame seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh of both fruits which make for a similar texture upon consumption. The fruit may be converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible.

Legend

The legend of the dragonfruit says that the fruit was created by fire-breathing dragons. By eating the dragonfruit it was believed that one became empowered with the same strength and ferocity of a dragon. Other stories say that the dragonfruit looks like a dragon's egg.

Template:ActiveDiscuss

Who flags an article about dragonfruit? Honestly?

Nutritional claims

Template:ActiveDiscuss

The red flesh variety is believed to be rich in antioxidants.
The pitaya fruit is rich in vitamins. ^{[citation needed]}
The pitaya fruit helps the digestive process.^{[citation needed]}
The pitaya fruit helps prevent colon cancer and diabetes. ^{[citation needed]}
The pitaya fruit helps to neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metal, reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. ^{[citation needed]}
Consumed regularly the pitaya fruit can help against asthma and cough. ^{[citation needed]}

Dragonfruit is rich in fiber, Vitamin C and minerals. The typical nutritional value per 100g of dragonfruit is as follows:

Ashes 0.68g
Fat 0.61g
Fiber 0.9g
Phosphorus 36.1mg
Carotene 0.012g
Protein 0.229g
Water 83.0g
Calcium 8.8g
Iron 0.65mg
Riboflavin 0.045mg
Niacin 0.430mg
Ascorbic Acid 9.0mg

Dragonfruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a fiber rich part of the diet.

References

Felger, Richard (1985). People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

Gallery

Red-skinned pitaya fruit (Hylocereus undatus)
Red-skinned pitaya inside (Hylocereus undatus)
Red-skinned pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)
"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an

"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an
Yellow-skinned and white-fleshed pitaya (Selenicereus megalanthus)
Red fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus sp.)
Pitaya in shop in Poland

External links