You can determine if the dragon fruit is wrong by looking at its skin. If the skin is loose and wrinkled, it’s a terrible sign. The color of the fruit’s skin will also shift to a dark purple or magenta, indicating that it is rotten. The fruit’s leaves will likewise turn a dark green color. Damaged and rotten dragon fruits have cuts, fissures, or are split open. If the fruit’s flesh has turned brown, it rotates and should not be eaten. Its flesh should be luscious but firm, like a melon and a pear cross.
The flavor of dragon fruit is light and slightly sweet, similar to a cross between a pear and a watermelon, with the consistency of a kiwi. However, its flavor does not match its gorgeous appearance. Unripe dragon fruit has a bland, sour flavor, whereas ripe dragon fruit has a slightly sweet and syrupy flavor. If ripe, dragon fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If ripe, it will only last around 24 hours on the counter. It will keep in the freezer for as long as you need it. Please don’t leave it there for more than three months, or you’ll lose a lot of taste.
Dragon Fruit
The dragon’s fruit is a tropical fruit that belongs to the Cactaceae family. This pear-shaped fruit is reddish yellow and oval, and elliptical. Vietnam is where it is grown. In Southeast Asia, it is a prevalent fruit.
This fruit has a sweet flavor, but it can also be sour. The flesh of this fruit is either white or red, with tiny digestible black seeds sprinkled throughout. Orchid cactus are noted for their large flowers, and this fruit is similar to them.
This fruit is best eaten raw, but it also tastes excellent frozen or chilled. To keep the fruit fresh for as long as possible, store it carefully to prevent spoiling. This fruit comes in red and yellow skin varieties. The cactus once thrived throughout southern Mexico and South and Central America, and it was introduced to Southeast Asia by the French in the early nineteenth century. In Central America, it’s known as “pitaya,” while in Asia, it’s known as a “strawberry pear.”
How to Tell if Dragon Fruit Is Bad?
You can determine if the dragon fruit is wrong by looking at its skin. If the skin is loose and wrinkled, it’s a terrible sign. The color of the fruit’s skin will also shift to a dark purple or magenta, indicating that it is rotten. The fruit’s leaves will likewise turn a dark green color.
- Do not consume it if its skin is dark purple or magenta in hue.
- You should toss the skin if it is excessively soft and mushy.
- If it has a foul odor, don’t eat it.
- The white flesh of dragon fruit has a moderate flavor, whereas the darker pinkish or red flesh is juicier and sweeter.
Generally, dragon fruit will keep up to a week in the fridge if ripe. It will only keep for about 24 hours on the counter if ripe. And it will keep for as long as you need it to, in the freezer. Just be sure not to let it stay there for more than three months; you’re losing a lot of flavors.
How to Store Dragon Fruit?
It’s not difficult to store dragon fruit. Scoop the fruit from its skin and place it in a covered container once it has been chopped. After that, you’ll be able to use it for an extended period. However, if the fruit is refrigerated for an extended period, it may lose its flavor and quality.
Purchase fruit and consume it within a short period to enjoy its flavor and freshness. Here are a few strategies for adequately storing it and preventing it from spoiling.
In the Pantry
If you only need a tiny bit of dragon fruit and know you’ll use it within one to two days, store it in the pantry, keeping it cool and dry to avoid spoilage. In these humid conditions, its freshness quickly degrades. So, if you want to enjoy fresh dragon fruit, make sure you take all the necessary precautions.
Away From Sunlight
One of the most common causes of rotting fruit is exposure to sunlight. To prolong its life and maintain its freshness, keep it out of direct sunlight. So keep it out of direct sunshine.
In the Refrigerator
If you wish to keep it in the fridge, cut it into cubes and store it. When you freeze it, though, the quality suffers. It will lose its flavor and freshness. It will not ripen if you keep it in the refrigerator, and it will keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator.
Dragon fruit that has been cut up will only last a few days. To keep a chopped dragon fruit fresh, drizzle it with lemon juice before storing it. The dragon fruit can then be kept in the refrigerator. Frozen dragon fruit should be kept in a sealed packet because it can pick up flavors and odors from other fruits. To enjoy its flavor, keep it away from other fruits.
How Long Does Dragon Fruit Last?
If you don’t chop the dragon fruit, it can last for a few days, and it has the potential to last up to two weeks. At room temperature, it will last 2 to 3 days. With all precautions taken, it can last up to a year in the refrigerator if stored properly.
It can go wrong in unfavorable settings and in weather that isn’t conducive to it. On other days, humid weather and dampness can make it worse. Cut dragon fruit can survive for 1 to 2 hours if kept refrigerated, and if you keep it in an excellent environment, it will last longer.
Dragon fruit can be kept refrigerated for three weeks before turning bad. It can be kept frozen for up to a year, but it can only be used for cooking. The fruit’s flesh can also be stored.
What Happens if You Overeat Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is generally safe to eat and provides numerous health advantages due to its vitamin C and antioxidant characteristics. Because the fruit is low in calories, it’s a great snack to have on hand. Some people, however, may be allergic to the fruit, with symptoms such as tongue swelling, hives, and vomiting. This kind of reaction is, by all accounts, unusual.
If you consume too much red dragon fruit, your urine may become pink or red, and this adverse effect appears to be more alarming than it is. If you consume too many beets, the same thing can happen. Once the fruit has passed through your system, the color of your urine should return to normal.
Although there are no negative consequences from eating dragon fruit daily, it is still a good idea to consult your doctor beforehand.
What Is the Best Time to Eat Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit flesh ranges from white (with pink or yellow skin) to hot pink or deep crimson, with tiny black seeds. The color of the flesh affects the flavor: pale dragon fruit has a mild flavor, but darker, redder flesh is sweeter and juicier.
The most significant time to eat fruits is in the morning when the digestive system breaks down the fruit sugar fast and supplies our bodies with all of the nutrients dragon fruit is an excellent choice because it is high in vitamins and tastes great. You have to juice the fruit (along with other fruits if desired, such as kiwi), pour it into a mold, and freeze it until solid. To sweeten the treat, use honey or jaggery.
Conclusion
The appearance of dragon fruit is distinct. Like its other exotic, non-round fruit cousins, Dragon fruit has peculiar characteristics, such as a bright red rind with ornamental green scales. This is because it comes from the Hylocereus cactus genus. It’s also accurate to state it’s a cactus. It has unripe green skin and mature pink skin. The scales are light green, and the flesh might be white, pink, or red. Because immature dragon fruit cannot ripen off the plant, it is frequently harvested when it is ripe.
When buying one, look for a dragon fruit with bright, evenly colored skin. It’s overripe if there are too many brown patches on it or if the stem is dry and shriveled. Allow the fruit to ripen for a few days until the flesh softens somewhat. If you see any of the signs mentioned above, you should avoid eating dragon fruit because it is potentially harmful to your health.
