Know the Facts… Star Fruit and Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

Star Fruit

Star fruit comes from an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. When you slice it crosswise, it forms a distinct, beautiful star shape.

● Taste and Texture: Ripe star fruit has a crunchy, juicy texture. Its flavor is a mild, sweet-tart blend that tastes like a mix of pear, green apple, and grape.

● How to Eat: You do not need to peel it. Just wash it, cut off the edges if brown, slice it, and eat it raw or use it as a garnish.

● Health and Risks: It is rich in Vitamin C and fiber. However, it contains oxalic acid and a neurotoxin called caramboxin. People with kidney disease cannot filter this toxin, making it dangerous or even fatal.

Star fruit varieties fall into two main taste groups: sweet types with thick ribs and sour types with narrow ribs.

Popular Sweet Varieties:

● Arkin: The most common commercial variety found in grocery stores. It features bright yellow-orange skin, medium-to-large size, and a mild, sweet, crisp flavor.

● Fwang Tung: Originating from Thailand, this variety produces long, pale yellow fruits with a very sweet, juicy taste and firm flesh.

● Sri Kembangan: A large, sweet Malaysian variety known for its excellent honey-like flavor and attractive deep yellow-orange skin.

● Kary: A Hawaiian selection that produces medium-to-large, very sweet, and high-quality fruit.

Popular Tart / Sour Varieties:

● Golden Star: A Florida variety with large, distinctively sharp ribs. It remains quite tart unless left to ripen fully on the tree until deep yellow-orange.

● Newcomb: Another tart Florida selection with bright, sharp flavor profiles well-suited for cooking, grilling, or salsas

Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

Dragon fruit grows on a night-blooming climbing cactus native to Central and South America. It features bright pink or yellow skin with leafy green scales.

● Taste and Texture: The inside is usually white or deep red, filled with tiny edible black seeds. Its texture is soft and creamy, similar to a kiwi. Its taste is mild and lightly sweet.

● How to Eat: Slice the fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon, or peel the leathery skin off and chop the flesh into cubes for smoothies or fruit salads.

● Health Benefits: It is packed with antioxidants, iron, magnesium, and Vitamin C. It supports digestion and boosts your immune system without any major health risks for most people.

Dragon Fruit Varieties:

● White Flesh (Most Common): Easily identified by its bright pink skin and stark white interior. It has a very clean, refreshing, and highly subtle taste similar to an earthy kiwi or pear.

● Red/Magenta Flesh: Features a deep fuchsia interior. It delivers a much richer, sweeter flavor profile that tastes faintly of sweet berries.

● Yellow Dragon Fruit: Features a bright yellow skin with white flesh. This variety is generally considered the sweetest and juiciest of all dragon fruits.