A fruit made by...dragons!
One of my favourite fruits is the delicious, exotic dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear! The best thing about it -besides its taste that I really like- is that it's considered a tropical superfood because of its wealth of benefits.
Where does it come from?
The dragon fruit comes from Hylocereus which is a genus of cacti, often referred to as night-blooming cactus and has its origins in Mexico, South America, and Central America. However now this delicious fruit is available worldwide. I actually have this cactus in my garden!
Types of dragon fruits
There are three types of dragon fruits.. The ones with red skin and red flesh, the ones with red skin and white flesh (that's how the ones I have look like) and yellow skin with white flesh. Regarding their taste, I would say that they are sweet and mostly aromatic.
Interesting facts
What is really interesting about dragon fruits is that their meat is used to make wine! I have never tried it but I would definitely love to try it! In addition, the leaves can be steeped for a very healthy form of tea -haven't tried this either.
Health benefits
What is great about it, is that it has a number of health benefits including its ability to aid in weight loss, control diabetes, improve digestion, lower cholesterol, strengthen the immune system, and boost energy levels. It also helps prevent cancer and heart diseases, defend against bacteria and fungi, and helps in the overall functioning of the body. Amazing isn't it??
Now why is it called the "dragon fruit"???
It actually has a legend attached to it. Asian vendors in order to make the fruit more appealing to the buyers decided to make up a fictitious tale according to which dragons created these fruits while breathing fire during battle. It was also believed that whoever ate the flesh of these fruits possessed dragon-like powers!
PS: After all those dragon fruits I have consumed I definitely have those powers, so beware!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya
https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-dragon-fruit/
Very informative and truly interesting. Dragon fruit is my all time favourite, because of its tremendous health benefits.
Thanks a lot!!! Mine too, and it is delicious as well! :)
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον άρθρο, ευχαριστώ για τις πληροφορίες.
Αυτό το φρούτο έχει μπει στο μυαλό μου για να το φυτέψω.
Μετά από παραγγελία σπόρων από το εξωτερικό οι σπόροι δεν φύτρωσαν.
Εφόσον το φυτό είναι κακτοειδές ο πολλαπλασιασμός μπορεί να γίνει με ένα φυλλαράκι, αν μπορούσες θα ήθελα να μου δώσεις ένα για να το μεγαλώσω.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ!! :)) Ναι βέβαια μπορώ! Όταν κανονίσουμε συνάντηση θα το φέρω!! :)
Ωραία σε ευχαριστώ!
Never tried it. Now I’m gonna try and find it and eat it if I remember.... and grow one!
Ah you should!! It tastes really good, I hope you will like it! :)
Πότε θα μας κεράσεις;;;; :))))
Επειδή βγάζει τώρα τα φρούτα, αν δεν σας δω πολύ σύντομα θα σας φέρω να φυτέψετε στον κήπο σας :P
Αμε.... στη Μυτιλήνη άλλα και στις Σέρρες έχω μεγάλο κήπο... θα τα κάνω και παραγωγή!!!! :ppp
χαχαχ Υπέροχα!!! Αν κάνεις και παραγωγή ακόμα καλύτερα!! :P
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