Find here the different types of dragon fruit!

In the past few months, dragon fruit has become a popular fruit to buy and make beautiful dishes of it or just to eat it straight away. All our plants are growing in the warm tropical sun of Surinam, located around the equator next to the Amazon rainforest. This is a beautiful place where with ideal weather for, among other things, dragon fruit. In this article we will discuss which types of dragon fruit are there. Read more!

Which types of dragon fruit are there?

Dragon fruit, also known as Pitaya fruit or Hylocereus, is a cactus-like plant with the help of aerial roots to make its way up above the ground. Dragon fruit originally grows in Central and South Amerika, Mexico, China and in other parts of Asia. There are three main types of dragon fruit, namely:

1. Hylocereus Undatus or Pitaya Blanca
2. Hylocereus Costaricensis or Costa Rican Pitaya
3. Hylocereus Megalanthus or Pitaya Amarilla

Down below we will discuss each type of dragon fruit of where it comes from, and what it tastes like. Furthermore, we will tell you where you can buy these beautiful pieces of fruit.

Hylocereus Undatus or Pitaya Blanca

Hylocereus Undatus has a pink/red skin, white flesh and black seeds.This dragon fruit is a richly branched cactus with winged shoots up to 6 meters long. On the wings of the shoots are small warts with five short thorns on them. The Hylocereus Undatus originates from Southern Mexico and the Westside from Central America. The Pitaya can grow up to 20 centimeters long. This fruit has little flavour, unlike the Hylocereus mMgalanthus, which tastes much sweeter and more aromatic. This comes because the fruits are harvested too early in the countries of origin, and therefore do not ripen.

Hylocereus Costaricensis or Costa Rican Pitaya

Hylocereus Costaricensis has a pink/red skin, red flesh and black seeds. The dragon fruit is a cactus species that originates from Costa Rica and Nigaragua. It is named after Costa Rica, because it was first discovered there, but the natural range is hard to determine, because the fruit is cultivated very widely. This dragon fruit occurs in a dry coastal forest at elevations of 0-1400 meters high. Same as the hylocereus Undatus, it has a little aromatic flavour.

Hylocereus Megalanthus or Pitaya Amarilla

Hylocereus Megalanthus or Pitaya Amarilla has a yellow skin, white flesh and black seeds. In general this dragon fruit is called the tastiest of the three. It has a much sweeter taste and is more aromatic and is very similar to the kiwi. The Hylocereus Mgalanthus originates from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Colombia is the biggest producer of this yellow pitaya. The fruit is up to 10 cm long, is oval and round shaped and wears thorns on scales.

How to use dragon fruit

Dragon fruit is mostly eaten raw, but you can also use it in dishes, smoothies or cocktails. To eat dragon fruit, you need to cut it in half, just like an avocado for example. Then you need to spoon out the flesh with the black seeds. Your dragon fruit is ready to be eaten! Are you looking for dragon fruit? Then immediately check our webshop to see all different types of dragon fruit cuttings to grow your own dragon fruit now!