Dragon fruit, or pitaya, is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. They are also cultivated in Asia. The only place in the United States where dragon fruit is grown is Hawaii.
For all of its color and exotic appearance, the dragon fruit has a surprisingly bland flavor reminiscent of a mildly sweet melon or kiwifruit.
The seeds of the dragon fruit are similar to kiwifruit seeds, and are completely edible. You do not need to remove them. They will blend up in any blender so you don’t need a high-speed blender to enjoy this fruit.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition and Health Benefits
Dragon fruit is loaded with protein, iron and vitamin C. Just one cup of dragon fruit, about 200 grams or 1/2 of a large fruit, contains 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of healthy fat, 2 grams of fiber, 3 milligrams of iron and 24% of your daily recommend value of vitamin C.
Dragon fruits are especially rich in antioxidants. Preliminary studies have shown that components in the fruit peel may inhibit certain cancer cell growth. However, there is limited scientific research on the dragon fruit to make any medical claims about consuming it.