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Greenhouse girl: life amongst the gardens of Yorkshire

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Dragon Fruit

Is This Fruit For Real? ...

Ok then, I know you won’t believe me, but I bought a dragon in Tesco’s last week ... or should I say a Dragon Fruit. A bit on the expensive side (£1.79) this astonishing looking fruit measured about 5” and as I’ve never seen or tasted one before I was tempted ... but before I risked a taste I did a bit of research to see what I’d got myself into. Here’s what I found out ...

dragon fruit with it's bright pink skin

What’s In A Name ...
For such an unusual looking fruit being called a ‘Dragon fruit’ seems fairly acceptable.
Also known as the ‘strawberry pear’, ‘pitaya’ or ‘pitahaya’ it’s the fruit of a several species of cactus ... and once you know this it’s easy to imagine ... if you think about it lots of cactus have bright coloured flowers so why not such bright coloured fruit ...

It’s Hard To Describe ...
The dragon fruit I bought is fairly round in shape, very bright pink in colour and with very prominent ‘scales’ around it. However, you’ll find other varieties which have yellow skin ... it just depends on the variety.


When you cut through the flesh – it feels a little like cutting into the skin of a melon – you find the stark contrast of the flesh inside. In my case I was faced with an opaque white inner with dark seeds throughout ... similar to the seeds found inside a kiwi fruit. Or you could encounter a red flesh inside with the same black seeds depending on the variety.

dragon fruit sliced open showing pink skin, white flesh and black seeds

A Few Varieties ...
There are three different varieties of dragon fruit:

Hylocereus undatus – this has a pink skin and a white flesh … so that’s what I bought. A climbing cactus, it has a red skin, triangular shaped stem and minimal number of spines.

Hylocereus polyrhizus – again a pink skin but this time when you cut into it you’d reveal a red flesh. Similar in nature to the hylocereus undatus, this variety of cactus has more spines.

Selenicereus megalanthus – in contrast this variety has a yellow skin and white flesh. The fruit are smaller than the other two varieties (which can weigh up to 1kg) and contains higher levels of sugar.

scooping out the flesh of the dragon fruit ready to eat

How To Eat A Dragon ...
Or should I say Dragon Fruit.
Faced with such a strange looking fruit it was a bit intimidating to think how to eat it ... did you bite into it like a apple ... eat the centre like a pomegranate ... was it best raw or cooked?

In fact you don’t eat the skin of the fruit, just the flesh from inside. I scooped out the flesh with a spoon (it scoops straight out just like scooping out sorbet) and it tasted a bit like melon or kiwi ... actually the taste is very bland considering how exciting it looks!

If you’re thinking of eating dragon fruit it’s best eaten chilled and if you don’t want to eat it on its own have it as a desert with a sorbet.

Other recommended ways of eating dragon fruit are within ice cream, or turn it into a drink by putting the flesh through a juicer or it can be fermented into a wine.

The Benefits Of Eating Dragon Fruit ...
Rich in fibre, vitamin C and minerals the dragon fruit is also low in calories ... so an all round good fruit to eat! This fruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which have antioxidant properties.

Growing Dragon Fruit ...
The cactus which dragon fruit comes from can grow anywhere between a few inches up to 20’ long (that’s for the more mature plants ...). Growing best in tropical, sub tropical or dry climates where there’s about 20-25” rain per year theses plants can cope with extremes of temperatures – from temperatures as high as 104ºF to short periods of frost. Although they don’t like being too wet (this will affect cropping) or long periods of cold weather (which can kill the plants).
These plants survive by growing on trees – they grow out of the soil and over it until they find a tree they can grow on using their aerial roots. They’re not particularly fussy about the type of soil they grow in although grow best when the soil is kept high in nutrients by adding in organic matter.
What’s quite unusual is that the ornate flowers that the plants produce only appear during the night and last only one night ... so pollination has to take place at that point to get a crop of dragon fruit. However, to counter this plants can product 4-6 crops of fruit each year.

propagate dragon fruit from the black seeds found within the flesh of the fruit

Propagate Your Own Cactus ... And Maybe A Dragon
Ok ... so I’ve been less distressed over the cost of the fruit since I read how easy it is to grow your own cactus from the seeds found within the fruit. By simply scooping out some of the flesh and separating out the seeds you’re ready to start planting.
Simply sow in pots containing gritty potting compost, water and then enclose the whole within a polythene bag. It’s as easy as that!
You’ve then just got to be patient for about two weeks before you’ll see the seedlings starting to appear. As I’ve never grown cactus, I don’t know if this is common or not, but the seedlings have two leaves on them ... in fact these are the only leaves this plants will every produce. From this point onwards a spiny stem will begin to grow between the centre of these leaves ... with the leaves being discarded after a few months.
In theory, you should then be able to grow your own dragon fruit ... although let’s hope that they don’t grow to 20’ high!!

Where You’ll Find Dragon Fruit ...
Although grown in tropical climates, it’s unclear where these plants originated although they are native to Mexico, Central and Southern America. Now being cultivated in Southeast Asia the dragon fruit is now the leading fruit export of Vietnam.

And Finally A Legend ...
Well it had to have really ... this exotic looking fruit is crying out to having a legend so here goes ...

Thousands of years ago fire breathing dragons created the dragon fruit. During battle, when the dragons breathed fire the last thing to come out would be the fruit. If the dragon was slain the fruit would be collected and presented to the Emperor as an indication of victory and as such was a prized treasure.
Whilst the slain dragon would have been eaten by the victorious soldiers ... it being believed that if you ate the flesh of the dragon you became empowered with the dragon’s strength and ferocity.
In fact, it is said that the meat from the base of the dragon’s tail from where it was believed the dragons fire originated, was the sweetest and best tasting. It is said that the thirst for these meat is what brought about the destruction of all dragons ... or so legend goes ...

Posted by Greenhouse Girl at 09:41 AM on

COMMENTS

Blimey, that's one freaky fruit! I'm not a lover of seeds (I know, I know, I'm 36 not 6 but I just can't help it - they're so... icky!) but I find the contrast of the red skin and the black and white flesh is just so... tempting. I'll try to get some and let you know what I think.

Posted by: Head Burro at July 17, 2006 08:00 PM

You can say that again HB ... took me a week to pluck up the courage to try it (and, of course, I wasn’t willing to loose my hard earned £1.79!). Wish I could have sent you a slice to try ... even though it might have freaked you out receiving all those icky black seeds in the post (don’t like seeds, scared of wasps ...).
Hope you enjoy it if you buy one ... I’m wishing now for a crop of healthy baby cactus (although I hold out very little hope).

Posted by: Greenhouse Girl at July 19, 2006 10:24 AM

I know, I know I sound like a right wuss. In my defence, wasps are evil. But then not in my defence little seeds are hardly the worst thing on earth are they. I don't like to hold cotton wool either :-D

Posted by: Ho Ho Ho McBurro at July 20, 2006 09:12 AM

ive just tried one for the first time. very disapointed by the tast. might have a go at growng though

Posted by: lad_455 at July 22, 2006 02:39 PM

Saw the fruit at the local market, 4 for a £1. Asked the stall holder (indian chap) what it was called, he was clueless. A quick glance on the boxes at the back revelaed 'Dragon Fruit' from Vietnam.

Bought them home, stuck them in the fridge, in th evening, ran dragon fruit on google for advice on best way to eat it. Sliced in half, and scooped out the watery flesh with spoon, tasted superb!!!

Only disappointment was that i bought 4 and you don't get to see these them everyweek with low prices!!!

Posted by: Zak at July 22, 2006 07:52 PM

i first tried this fruit in thailand about a year ago and fell in love with it! they are a lot bigger in size in thailand than they are in terry tesco's.
when i first saw them in tesco's i grabbed a load.
i am currently growing ten of these which i bought from ebay already at 1.5 cm for £3.50! bargain i thought.

Posted by: phil at July 26, 2006 09:58 AM

bought my dragon fruit also at tesco, have just opened it thought i better find out how to eat it and where it comes from before i try it, i must admit first thoughts its rather like a kiwi fruit, i`ll go and try it now.

Posted by: katy at August 19, 2006 05:50 PM

I bought one of these! Ended up getting it for free because the cashire didn't know what they were. I liked it! Tastes like kiwis, but less sweet.

Posted by: Nora at September 3, 2006 03:22 AM

Bought our first Dragon fruit because my daughter saw it on a kids TV show and we were curious... We love it and can hardly wait for it to come to supermarket, it is only sold here at the near end of summer.

Posted by: sharon at September 8, 2006 03:35 AM

Hie!
I tried dragon fruit for the first time when I was in liverpool with my friend.
'Twas extremely yummy.
Since then I have been looking everywhere for it and so far I have been unable to find it anywhere.
I thought it might have been out of season so I checked it up on google.
It hasn't shown me anything about it having a season.
Eesh.
If anyone has any idea about my problem can you send me an email..
Thanks.

Posted by: Leah at September 10, 2006 11:32 AM

Hi everybody. I am from Singapore.

Ya, the first time I ate, I did not like it as the whitish flesh is rather bland. But have you seen one with reddish flesh? It is tastier but you may have to overcome the sight of the reddish flesh which is very juicy and red, almost like blood! I am told that this type is more nutritious. It can be 3 times more expensive than the whitish one though.

In fact, I have just planted the seeds and just the other day, three seedlings have grown. Now, I am looking up the internet to find out how to grow them. This is how I have come to find out this website. God bless.

Posted by: David at September 10, 2006 02:50 PM

Hai
I'm from sri lanka. I have seen the dragon fruit at the supermarket many times but didnot want to be too adventurous. Then there was this article in the last months readers digest where they had mentioned about the nutrition factors. So from that day onwards I buy about 2 fruits a week, and my husband enjoys eating it with other fruits for breakfast. I cut these in to cubes with apples and papaya and he has it. It doesnot taste like anything at all, but because of the nutrional value my husband doesnt mind having them.
Dilani

Posted by: Dilani at September 13, 2006 08:16 AM

Thanks so much for the info. I'm in Israel and for our New Year it is customary to eat a new fruit. I'm originally from Seattle and this is definitely new to me!! I hope my kids will be brave enough to try it.

Posted by: Marlene at September 21, 2006 08:13 AM

Hi All

I'm from London, England and bought the fruit after seeing it in a Magazine article yesterday. Was really excited to try it as I have just embarked on a food combining diet so the more variety of fruit the better. My other half was dubious and said that he doesn't like it, very bland. I ate my piece thinking that it's very like melon only less tasty.

I decided again for nutritional value that i'd buy one every once in a while to add to the fruit in my diet until half an hour later.... argh, massive allergic recation!! Skin rash (Blisters) Itching, swollen lips the lot! :o( SO long Dragon fruit.

Enjoy it everyone, i'll pretend not to be jealous!

S

Posted by: Sarah at September 21, 2006 01:21 PM

Just had one - was quite strange!! I put some natural yogurt onto it after I had peeled it and cut it up into pieces. I'm stuffed! I actually think it might be the most filling fruit ever! Great I suppose if you're on a diet or as a snack.

Posted by: Caroline at September 21, 2006 05:47 PM

I JUST GOT ONE FROM TESCO THE NAME WAS THE ATTRACTION I THINK I DIDNT EVEN KNOW HOW TO EAT IT I HAD TO SEARCH ONLINE LOL IT IS SO PRETTY BUT IT IS BLAND MAYBE TRY IT COLD NEXT TIME LIKE EVERYONE SEEMS TO SAY ITS REALLY COOL THOUGH!! :)

Posted by: rayvin at September 21, 2006 09:39 PM

Hi there

I'm looking to buy this in the UK but can't seem to find it. while travelling in Singapore a hostel I stayed in served it on a plate for breakfast sliced amd cut into quarters, we ate it with our fingers and ibbld up to the pink edge. They are lovely served with other fruit such as orange, and with peanut butter on toast for brekki. I'm a yorkshire lass too.

Posted by: rebecca at October 7, 2006 05:45 PM

Hi
I bought my first dragon fruit today in tesco's, it looked very interesting, i will try anything once and had never seen or heard of it before, i thought i'd better look it up because i had no idea what to do with it, i found it very juciy and the texture a bit strange, but i loved it and will be buying more!!!!

Thanks for the tips!!

Posted by: Sarah at October 9, 2006 10:00 PM

Hi Greenhouse girl. I had some dragon fruits last year purchased from our Chinese Supermarket in Romford. I kept back some of the seed and now have a big pot full of the climbing super spiny cacti. They are beasts and cover your skin in teeny hairlike prickles which bring me up in hives! I plan to get a hanging basket for them in the conservatory as they just want to hand down or climb up and it is hard to know what to do with them!
Glad to see I am not alone with my love for the unusual!
Emma Jane

Posted by: Emma Jane at October 10, 2006 11:04 PM

Hi...
I'm so intrasted with dragon fruit,
I have enough spase to grow them,
Pls some one help me to learn about dragon fruit
I'm in sri lanka

Posted by: janaka at October 21, 2006 09:20 PM

i just saw a "dragon fruit" in tescos and i got it then ate it and it was nice so i keps some seeds from the fruit put them in some cutting compost in a propergator on a heat mat at 30 degrees C and i have about 20 of them all about 1cm tall!! its sooo damm easy

Posted by: Ian at October 26, 2006 12:44 AM

hi...

i'm from Malaysia...Here, this fruit grow up very well...good taste with this fruit and nice to eat fresh and can make a fruit juice...Malaysia has a lot of dragon fruit with the red variety and white variety...its so sweeeettt........

Posted by: annie at November 6, 2006 08:33 AM

Further to my earlier post in jul i bought whole load of these when they appeared in Walthamstow market, London. Funny thing is the market vendor again was not familiar with it. They were much jucier than the ones bought in july and my only regret was i finished them in 2 days!!!

Next time i'm going in with a barrow!!!

Posted by: Zak at November 7, 2006 09:05 PM

hi
i fell in love with the looks of a half peeled dragon fruit and tried to convince the kids and wife of how great they are --purchased 6 of them and never purchased any since, simply because they are so bland and tasteless, most melon is tastier.
on a positive note maybe there was a hint of berry flavour but take note of an earlier comment of a red flesh being tastier
i will have a go at growing if the red is a nicer taste than the white flesh, may even take it to the bulgarian house if someone has got a red one growing already
from darryl

Posted by: darryl at November 8, 2006 11:02 PM

hi my name is tricia and i tried dragon fruit in July 2007 in Phuget and sinapore after asking what it was . the answer was very good for you good for toilet i was not one hundred % convinced but started to eat it twice a day and it is as good as they say. comming back home to Australia i tried to buy this fruit at our local asian market and was told that it is only adviable in the summer it has only now come into shops if anyone knows how to freeze or keep this fruit i would like to know,

Posted by: tricia at November 9, 2006 07:04 AM

I have planted few seeds of dragon fruit. two weeks later I saw that small palnts with two leaves. One person told that to get the crop with seeds planting it will take 8 years. Is it true ? I need to know that how many days wil it take to get the crop. Please help me. Thank you

Posted by: Manoj at November 9, 2006 09:58 AM

Please can you send me some information about dragon fruit, i need this for my GCSE course.
i eed to know if there is any vitamin c content

Posted by: Paul at November 28, 2006 10:34 AM

They sell them 3 for £1 at strutton ground market near st james' park-they're yummy!!!

Posted by: rosie at November 28, 2006 03:05 PM

I bought a red dragon fruit and now have 30+ seedlings... will these ever produce fruit? I live in Southern Californai. My Fruit was $13.00 a pound... but it was so delicous!!!

Posted by: Justin at December 3, 2006 01:38 AM

I bought a red dragon fruit and now i have 40+ seedlings. Will it fruit? I live in Southern California.

Posted by: justin at December 3, 2006 04:25 PM

we have a dragon fruit plant with several fruits on it, how do we know when the fruit is ripe and more importently
how do you pick the fruit without getting your hand full of thorns?!
Sherry

Posted by: sherry at December 14, 2006 07:56 PM

My dragon fruit plant is now 5 feet tall, growing in a pot. No flowers yet. How long do I have to wait? I live in Queensland, Australia.

Posted by: Robert at December 24, 2006 07:34 AM

Dragon fruit is wonderful. I discovered dragon fruit in Shanghai. The fruit is beautiful to look at and very refreshing. The seeds are like strawberry seeds in that you don't really notice them or taste them. I'm hooked on them!

Posted by: Pam at December 25, 2006 05:40 PM

please let me know is it good for reduce the blood pressure?any age limit to eat the dragon fruite?

Posted by: buhari at December 26, 2006 12:54 PM

I saw dragon fruit on cityline years ago and finally i found it! at my friend's party so i decided to ask where she got it from and it was at a chinese supermarket. I bought it today and i love the look its so beautiful but its a little on the bland side.. like not too bad but i wish it was more tasty!
also how do we pick them out? i heard when its a hot pink its ripe but ..... u know i'm not the best at picking out fruit so help please!

Posted by: Ping at January 1, 2007 08:17 AM

Hi everyone! I am from Singapore. In fact, my father runs a small business in Singapore growing Dragon Fruits, but the ones we are growing are the red-fleshed ones. It is true that the red-fleshed ones are alot tastier, sweeter, nutritional than the white-fleshed ones. Maybe you guys should try to find the red-fleshed ones and try it! It would definitely be much more lovely tasting than the white-ones. However, the yellow-skinned white-fleshed variety is alot sweeter than the red-skinned white-fleshed ones. The fruit is said to help reduce hypertension, reduce the risks of getting cancer and heart disesases. Its antioxidant properties are held to be accountable for such benefits, the antioxidant being lycopene. Usually anyone of any age can take the fruit although older people are advised to consume it around 1-2 times a week because of the sugar content. Oh, and according to our experience in growing the fruit in Singapore, (by the way we grow it by stem cutting which means we cut off a section of the stem and plant it directly into the ground which is alot faster than growing it thru seeds), it usually takes at least half a year for the first bloom and another 45 days or so for the fruits to develop from the flower buds. Hope the above information helps! =)

Posted by: Scintillaf at January 1, 2007 02:05 PM

Hi,

Helen from Australia. I too have seen them around but today, I purchased a pink fleshed on. It was different, in a nice way. Will be buying more again as my family are a bunch of fruit eaters and variety is the spice of life!

Posted by: Helen at January 4, 2007 11:07 AM

ha! we have slain the dragon, and a very nice dragon it was too, shall be adding this excellent fruit to our diet, and shall attempt to grow it using the methods described on this site . well done greenhouse girl and keep up the good work

Posted by: christian at January 4, 2007 12:33 PM

nice! Did the Tesco thing... £1.79, googled the thing and found meself here!
Nice and watery and the seeds are a great texture contrast to the melon expectancy.

3 of us here enjoyed trying something new for the first time ever and wasn't that disappointed.

Try it, you might like it!

(as I type, we are still "unsure" but don't seem to be able to stop nibbling!!!)

Posted by: teffie at January 6, 2007 11:49 PM

Bought my first ever dragon fruit in Australia ( I am a Kiwi) last week while on holiday. I am a sucker for trying new things. Cost an arm and a leg ( $A7 for one about 5" big ) I found it very bland. Looked good and might give a lift to a fruit salad.Stall holder didn't know anything about the fruit. Can't imagine why several relate it to a kiwi fruit - nothing like the taste of a kiwi fruit in NZ.

Posted by: Beverley at January 11, 2007 09:19 AM

hi, im from Vietnam, and my company has exported dragon fruit. If someone wanna to know more information of dragon fruit,contact my mail anytime.

Posted by: blacktulip8219 at January 12, 2007 03:40 AM

Hi,

I tried dragon fruit last night after buying it from Tesco. I waited a while before I tried it - to build the anticipation of eating sucha funky looking fruit.
I finally sat down, sliced through it and armed myself with a spoon............
And was truly disappointed by it. I found it tasted of nothing and the texture eventually led me to retch........
Think I will continue getting my vitamins from other fruits and just buy the dragon fruit to look cool in my fruit bowl!!!!

Posted by: hippylisa at January 13, 2007 05:45 PM

Hi..
My son and I have just tasted our first ever Dragon Fruit and both found it quite enjoyable. Bought at my local greengrocers in Sheringham, Norfolk £1.20 for 2. Will definetly be buying more cos my youngest son is a fruit addict and has yet to try! Thanks for all the useful info on dragon fruit and we will be trying to grow from seed as we have an allotment too!!!

Posted by: vinny at January 15, 2007 02:33 PM

Hi
My youngest son came in from school and tried it and in his words "loved it and when are you getting some more"

Posted by: vinny at January 15, 2007 04:40 PM

Hi I think I've just been done at Peterborough Tescos today.I paid £1.89 for my dragon fruit. Saying that, there was a name,a picture of what to do with it and where it came from beside the fruit so perhaps I got my moneys worth! For such a fantastic looking fruit, the taste was a little disappointing. I thought it was a kind of cross between a kiwi, watermelon and strawberry (with its soft seeds) but watered down. Worth trying just to say that.... I have eaten Dragon Fruit...

Posted by: unicornwhisper at January 15, 2007 07:08 PM

dragon fruit rocks! me and my bf just tried it and i loved it. it is almost too pretty to eat. i even tried to eat the outside cos its abit of a waste to just eat the flesh :-(

Posted by: jem at January 16, 2007 09:38 PM

I bought one of these out of curiosity when i was grocery shopping in Thailand.

Im not big on eating fruit but i thought what the hey i probably cant get em back home in dreary England.

Tried/tasted and binned very quickly :)

Posted by: Tony at January 17, 2007 06:15 PM

I have found that most tropical fruits are at their peak for a very short time and do not travel well. We have a dragon fruit in our garden here in Queensland, Australia and the first fruit is ripening - hence my visit to this site. I loved the fruit in Asia and suggest that anyone who didn't like the fruit try it again if they are ever in Asia.

Posted by: Carol at January 21, 2007 11:57 PM

I tried my 1st Dragon, when in Hong Kong over Christmas 06, loved the fruit, very palatable. depending where you brought it, it was usually HK$5 each or 33p per fruit. they're even larger in Hong Kong, than Tesco's examples.

Pity the other day, when in Tesco's i saw the fruit selling for £1.89 each and in very poor condition (i.e been out on display for a few weeks)

If you liked Dragon fruit, you'll love Mangosteen, cheap as chips and sooooo tasty...

Definatley going back, just to eat the fresh fruit!!!

Posted by: Joe at January 24, 2007 03:53 PM

Yummy it was delicious (YUMMY)

Posted by: Katie Gilbride at January 25, 2007 03:47 PM

Hi, I'm from California. I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and saw this package of sun-dried Dragons fruit and decided to buy it. When it is dried it really does look like dragon skin. The taste is not very strong but it is sweet. I sliced it up into smaller pieces and added it to my Trail Mix.

Posted by: Jim at January 27, 2007 04:34 PM

Its called dragon fruit as the cacti creeps and the plant itself looks like a dragon. The fruit wasalready big in Vietnam about 10 years ago, and at thattime, I only came across the white flesh version. But they are everywhere here in MAlaysia now, and tehy are being cultivated in a big way.
BE careful you don't get red flesh version dripping on your white bouse.

If you manage yo get a good one, they are really sweet and juicy. But its an acquited taste. Have fun!

Posted by: April at February 6, 2007 04:59 AM

First saw this strange looking object last Weds at Tesco, Hythe Colchester, and out of interested purchased one. No indication from Tesco what it was, nothing to suggest how to serve it, but it looked to good to ignore.
It had the white flesh, the texture of a Kiwi, and a bland moist taste. It was different, and all eaten.
Not something that I would really go out of my way to purchase again. But it is full of vitamin C and antioxidants, and as part of a mixed fruit salad would possibly blend well.
My husband wants to try to grow our own, but it means purchasing another to get the seeds.
I guess that we will all have to eat whats left after he gets the seeds he needs.

Posted by: Margaret at February 9, 2007 08:13 PM

The best way to eat a dragon fruit is : 1) slice off both end thinly until the contains is exposed. 2) slice the fruit across in wedge shape. 3) Peel the skin outward and the contain will come off easily. 4) Enjoy.
By the way, do not use a spoon !

Posted by: peter tan at February 13, 2007 07:49 AM

Hey! My friend from work showed me the drsgon fruit and i tryed it and liked it.. now i always buy it. apparently it has 5 times the minerals and nutrients you need in one day!

Posted by: Joiee at February 13, 2007 11:01 AM

Brought one from our local supermarket for £1.80. Love trying new fruit. Trouble is now the kids have a taste, I don't get a look in. Best way We found to eat it, is cut the top off, the peel back from the side, the whole skin comes of in one piece, slice it up and wait for the rush of Children, hopefully there will be some left for me..

Posted by: Steve at February 13, 2007 12:55 PM

I JUST TRIED MY FIRST DRAGON FRUIT IT TASTES FUNNY AND I DONT KNOW IF I LIKE IT OR NOT?

Posted by: JACK CRABTREE at February 13, 2007 08:33 PM

hi tried the red dragon fruit and was gone straight away. i let it go cold in the fridge tehn i cut it in half and squuezed lime on it and it was absolutely delicious.Cant wait to start growing some.

Posted by: pamela butters at February 15, 2007 10:37 AM

I am doing a project about fruit calorie content and if anyone knows how many calories and vitamin c are in a dragon fruit and how much is needed to make a portion of fruit, please contact me at Adamglenville@hotmail.com

Posted by: Adam glenville at February 15, 2007 11:32 AM

I tried Dragon fruit just a few weeks ago and fell in love with it. Thank you for all the advice how to grow it. I have planted few seeds and I am going to the store to buy more fruit. I am from Vancouvere, Canada.

Posted by: Jarmila at February 18, 2007 04:38 PM

My husband and I bought a dragon fruit from TESCO's - only place I've seen them. Looked them up on a website www.lovepitaya.com. Seems the latin name is PITAYA. Native to Mexico, Central & South American but also SE Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Southern China and Israel. The plant only flowers at night, they are large white flowers, referred to as Moon Flowers or Queen of the Night. The vine-like cactus Stenocereus gummosus in the Sonarian Desert is an important food source for Native American Peoples. The Serio people of NW Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit of the Pitaya agria (Spanish) which the Seris call "ziix is ccapxl" - thing whose fruit is sour". Strangely enough, this fruit was bland and sweet, not sour! The dragon fruit sets on cactus like vines 30-50 days after flowering with 5-6 harvests per year. Some farms produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year. I think this is going to be the in fruit shortly! It is supposed to be good for asthma. PS slight deviation - did you know that a kiwi fruit has a month's supply of vitamin c in it? Check out the website and thanks for all the tips greenhouse girl!

Posted by: Victoria at February 20, 2007 01:00 PM

It is nice to see them about! I bought my first my first Dragon fruit about 7 years ago here in Vancouver Canada, it was frightfully expensive- $7.00 CAD. I didn't think the taste was worth the cost and only recently with the major influx of the fruit the price has fallen to half of what it was.
I cut it in half and put the other half in the fridge and when I ate the chilled half I was amazed at how the flavor was enhanced. Nice nutrient content makes this fruit a winner in my books. We can grow climatized Kiwi's here, wonder if they will ever breed Pitaya's for our climate?
Cheers all

Posted by: Sherwood Rock at February 24, 2007 01:38 AM

It is nice to see them about! I bought my first my first Dragon fruit about 7 years ago here in Vancouver Canada, it was frightfully expensive- $7.00 CAD. I didn't think the taste was worth the cost and only recently with the major influx of the fruit the price has fallen to half of what it was.
I cut it in half and put the other half in the fridge and when I ate the chilled half I was amazed at how the flavor was enhanced. Nice nutrient content makes this fruit a winner in my books. We can grow climatized Kiwi's here, wonder if they will ever breed Pitaya's for our climate?
Cheers all

Posted by: Sherwood Rock at February 24, 2007 01:39 AM

hi i saw two dragonfruits at the market in leeds in yorkshire in northern england,(uk) and so i bought them, they were the last 2, one each was £1 but the guy there gave me two for £1.20, so quiet expensive, the ones that i got were a red flesh one, the taste was quiet bland but a bit like kiwi just not as sweet

Posted by: usmaan at February 24, 2007 10:26 PM

hi,
bought two of these recently in tesco's ate the first and with the second one just scooped the seeds out with a teaspoon and still in the flesh and popped them into some sterial potting compost. I used just one teaspoonfull and now have around twenty seedlings.

Posted by: wendy at February 27, 2007 03:21 AM

I tried to eat some dragon fruit but I am allergic to it and now I am in hospital with a a large swollen face and my body is filled with pain

I dislike dragon fruit greatly.

Posted by: Douglas O'Brien at February 27, 2007 09:24 AM

G'Day from Australia, Had never seen a Dragon fruit untill a few day's ago in the supermarket, I had to get 1 "hav'nt been game to try it yet!, my 10 yrs old son asked me how do we eat it? so here I am finding out, we will try it to night after karate. I love to garden so I'll have ago at growing them , live in Victoria & heading into winter on the 1st June, don't hold much hope but who know's??? thks 4 the info, Leanne

Posted by: Leanne at March 1, 2007 05:33 AM

Well i have finally got round to try a dragon fruit and i must say they look a lot better than they taste! Well to be fair they dont really taste of much.I ate it in a fruit salad with banana, mango, ice and Sharon fruit - which also dosent taste of anything. Think next time im goning to try some of your more tasty fruit recommendations such as the custard apple and the sapodilla!

Posted by: Jenni at March 2, 2007 09:45 AM

bought 2 dragon fruits on the market for 1 euro in Zeeland, Netherlands.Beautiful to look at. Taste is bland with a hint of kiwi and melon.
Will attempt to grow seedlings and take it from there. Tastier eaten diced with papaya.

Posted by: Lee at March 3, 2007 10:49 PM

Hello from Northern California, I have not tried the fruit or even seen it, but I was at a plant show today and purchased two cuttings. One with the white center and one with the red center. It gets pretty cold here in the winter and may have to move the plants inside or wrap them in a blanket. The vendor said it's best to have both types - what a salesman, but I think it helps to cross polinate them. Anyway I just watched a video by a man named Edgar who grows different varieties in Simi Valley, CA. It was a homemade video, but very informative. Thank you Greenhouse Girl for the tips!

Posted by: Jackie at March 4, 2007 06:39 AM

I'm currently living north of Hong Kong and my husband brought home one of these amazing fruits yesterday. It sat in the fridge all night and we tried it today. Husband said that it looked like Oreo ice cream. I agree with the New Zealander that it does not have the taste of Kiwi, but the texture is quite similar. We really liked it. I wonder if the kind you get that has been shipped across the world is not as tasty. We'll be eating more of this, I am sure.

Posted by: Becky at March 4, 2007 07:57 AM

hi, im 13 years old and i have been selected for an interview for blue peters CAN YOU COOK IT ? competition in my interview i have to talk about a fruit or vedgetable for 1 min max i want to go for something exotic and i was looking through when i found this great looking fruit (dragon fruit)i like the sound of it and im goin to try it but the only thing that puts me off is that people say its a bit bland i have looked at the scotch bonett vedgetable which is the hottest fruit/pepper in the world and the star fruit could you give me some tips on some exciting fruits because im feeling a bit confused at the moment kind regards brendan

Posted by: brendan at March 4, 2007 07:22 PM

How are you meant to separate the seeds from the fruits flesh? (so as to grow them)

Posted by: gem at March 6, 2007 10:54 PM

Dragonfruit have just hit the shelves this season (southern hemisphere) and I've taken some seeds, removed the pulp and planted them in punnets today. I grow other varieties of cacti, and despite the gorgeous flowers, they don't have fruit! Hopefully I can get something going with these seeds.

Posted by: Albinus at March 15, 2007 08:57 AM

I ate it today, im from canada ... husband bought it, loved it ... will buy again

Posted by: sarah at March 17, 2007 09:22 PM

I have enjoyed Dragon Fruit for years, and there are several things that you can do with the thing. I like to take out the insides, mix with a bit of lemon juice sugar and water(or cranberry juice) whirl it in the blender. Pour into a bowl and freeze...When half frozen...give it another whirl in the blender...then freeze...makes a great fruit ice. Also great in a fruit salad of melon,kiwi and berries..Mash it through a sieve and add to iced teas...Hope you have fun and enjoy playing with your Dragon Fruit..Where I live in Texas,USA..we buy them at the local Mexican Grocers...4 to 8 for $1.00...depending on the season...ENJOY

Posted by: Rhonda at March 20, 2007 03:42 AM

I live in Edmonton Canada. We bought this fruit at a reasonable price at a super market. Looks very exotic, high in phosphorus but does not taste like any fruit. This was the 1st time maybe it will taste better next time.

Posted by: Rob Kapoor at March 21, 2007 03:17 PM

i reallly like dragon fruit. And i really love it frozen i leave it over night 24 hours in other words get out the fridge and split it and eat it.
smooth creamy deliouse dragon fruit perfect on a hot summers day!!!!

Posted by: breanna at March 22, 2007 03:57 AM

I am a 13 year old girl from Oldham, Northern England (UK)and i saw the fruit in Tesco also. I asked my mum if we could try it and she said NO it is too exspensive. Later that week i went with my dad so as you could guess i asked him. He said yes, "first time for everything." We tried it and found it rather bland yet still enjoyed it. I said I think it would be nicer if we blended it and and a little sugar. It seemed I was right as a comment earlier on said so. We are keen on growing our own food as we grow strawberries, potatoes, garlic, onions and this list could become endless. Me and my Dad are going to give it a bash in a propagater. We will keep you posted on how well it goes (or not). Ta Ta For Now TTFN

Posted by: Ashleigh at March 25, 2007 05:59 PM

dragon fruit is really tasty but i've only tryed the red inside one

Posted by: darrien at March 26, 2007 11:18 AM

Tried it. Loved it. Now my plants in bloom :P

Posted by: pkmn202 at March 29, 2007 04:27 AM

I just tasted dragon fruit when my mother in law came here in the Philippines. I love the sweet taste of it. I'd like to grow that fruit here in the Philippines.

Posted by: imelda Gutierrez at March 30, 2007 05:00 AM

Hi from Australia. I live in Darwin and there are dragonfruit readily available in all our stores. I tried my first one the other day and I loved it ! So did my 4 year old son which was surprising. I'm going to try and grow my own from the seeds. If anyone knows of any recipes please share them, I haven't been able to find any yet.

Posted by: jody at March 31, 2007 02:12 PM

I first tried dragon fruit when it was tarting up a fruit salad at some conference with work, needless to say I ignored the soggy sarnies and munched all the dragon fruit! delicious with a glass of wine too!

Posted by: alice at March 31, 2007 07:24 PM

i saw the fruit on the self in tesco and picked it up and thought what is hell is that! put in the trolly and got it home and showed the family, then had to look on the interent to find out how to eat it! and i found this site and thank to you i know how! havnt tried it yet but looking forward to it!

Posted by: lucy at April 1, 2007 07:18 PM

My first try at Dragon Fruit came throught the Ice Breakers gum flavor, ever since then I've wanted to try a real one, but the closest I've found is the Dragon Fruit flavored mineral water stuff they sell at the store, oh well. I wonder if you could find it in Arizona.

Posted by: Zenfinity at April 2, 2007 06:58 PM

I Have just tried my first dragon fruit. We saw it while shopping at Tesco's. (I'll try anything once) but was a bit shocked at the price. To me it tasted like a kiwi fruit but less tangy, which is good for me cos how ever much i like kiwi they tighten the back of my throat and tingle my inner ears. I had none of this affect with the dragon so looks like this will be staying on my shopping list. If this fruit is freezable it would make a lovely sorbet. A great conversation piece served in it's own skins at a dinner party !!
I found this site through Google because i wanted to know more about this fruit.

Posted by: Maggie at April 3, 2007 03:22 PM

Like many other people here I bought the pink one with white flesh from Tescos. I'd agree that it has a similar texture to a kiwi fruit but it's very, very bland. It is really filling and nutritious though so I'm keen to try the one with pink flesh as several people have said it's tastier. Does anyone know where to buy those ones or if there's a place on the internet that would post them? I'd be willing to pay a bit more because I'd try growing some of the seeds if I liked the taste :)

Posted by: claire at April 3, 2007 08:33 PM

Dragon fruit was the best fruit I ever try.Infact I am also doing a scrapbook about fruit that grow in Malaysia.I hope every body will eperciate dragon fruit.

Posted by: Jean at April 11, 2007 06:52 AM

I hope that someone could help me to find out the address in singapore - growing dragron fruit in Lim Chu Kang Lane 6.....

Posted by: veron at April 12, 2007 11:21 AM

Just got one :)
Lovly not much of a taste but nice

Posted by: jamie at April 18, 2007 09:56 PM

I found a few the other day down the local supermarket. Wonderfully refreshing fruit! Should be perfect for summer. Dragon fruit, where have you been all my life?

Posted by: Steve at April 19, 2007 11:30 AM

I bought one from Tesco today, I haven't eaten it yet, as the fruit from supermarkets is usually under ripe. How can you tell when it is ripe enough to eat?

Posted by: Kev at April 21, 2007 07:45 PM

the dragonfruit is one of natures ABSOLUTELY AMAZING thing.. I ate the hylocereus polyrhizus type the other day and it was soooooo GOOD!!! the colour of the flesh was bright magenta. Its as if someone dipped the fruit in acrylic paint.. it made my lips magenta after that. LOVELY!!

Posted by: Amirah at April 23, 2007 02:25 AM

i love dragon fruit when i first saw them i thought what a freaky looking fruit but i found i really liked them.

Posted by: Thomas.c at April 23, 2007 12:33 PM

Hello, I'm from Canada and just tried this wonderful dragon fruit. My husband and I like to try different foods and dragon fruit just came to our small town grocery store, I hope it's not seasonal and they keep it stocked year around. The one we tried had white flesh. i would like to try a red flesh one next. Great stuff!!

Posted by: Dana at April 25, 2007 01:09 AM

i was just wongering how many caleroies are in a dragon fruit.

Posted by: kieran at April 25, 2007 02:47 PM

Hi, does anybody know where (soil and weather) does the dragon fruit plant grow?

Posted by: Ralph at April 26, 2007 12:53 PM

i love dragon fruit i just had one right now.

Posted by: mannie at April 27, 2007 02:47 AM

I have a dragon fruit cactus -- its about 2 1/52 feet tall, and about 1 1/2 years old. It takes about 3 years for dragonfruit cactus to produce fruit -- it needs high heat and lots of sun. I currently located in Thailand.

Posted by: George at April 28, 2007 09:17 AM

I've just been introduced to this wonderfull fruit. I'd like to have one for a house plant, I see that most people pay alot for this fruit, so imagen my suprise when I got 4 of them at .69 cents Canadain, they were on the sales table, I think I hit the jack pot , I think this fruit would make an amazeing and refreshing summer cold soup,with honey dew, with a hint of mint, it would also make a great drink for adults,or a half frozen slussie, for everyone. it's got so many possiilties I just don't know where to begin
it is heavenly though,ouu galautoe (? on spelling)

Posted by: Tina Johnston-Wilson at April 30, 2007 09:52 PM

I'm from Goderich ont, Canada, they just started getting these awsome fruit here,and I got 4 for 69 cents each, I got lucky they were on the sales table, they are awsome fruit, so many things you could do with them, and my dragon likes them to, a bearded dragon, yes he's real, this with some honeydeww and leechy nut fruit with fresh mint as a summer soup, or a drink for your kids, make a great slushy, I tried it in a fruit salad, with freash pineapple, oh was that a little bit of heaven

Posted by: Tina Johnston at May 1, 2007 09:57 PM

you can buy the dragon fruit cuttings from daleys fruit tree nursery at kyogle n.s.w Australia,if you
live in aust. picked fresh and RIPE the are the best, but in supermarkets the are picked unripe like all their fruit and vegies so tate yuk.

Posted by: trevor at May 2, 2007 03:53 PM

dragon fruit, what an interesting looking thing but dissapointed when we tried it had no taste what so ever,and at £1.99 in tescos i,m afraid won,t be buying any more

Posted by: deborah at May 6, 2007 06:55 PM

hi,
I live in sw fl. I have a dragon fruit plant that produced a fruit in 20 years. It was a miricle. I was told that I needed the yellow dragon fruit plant to cross pollinate. Could you tell me how I could buy the yellow type? thank you.

Posted by: Eddy at May 6, 2007 08:11 PM

I too just saw one for the first time this week...just looking at it; I had to have one. didn't consider the cost it looked too good to pass by! having 2 friends also on healthy eating plans( DIETS!) i took it round for us all to try. What a disappointing taste to such a lovely looking fruit. decided I'd need custard or ice cream with it but then put that against the cost and I'm not sure I'd bother again.

Posted by: June at May 10, 2007 04:23 PM

The taste of the dragonfruit can vary from completely bland to mildly sour or sweet. What i want to know is... how do you pick a ripe dragonfruit? I've heard some say that it depends on the no. of the 'scales', or the length, or the amount of green in them... anyone have any clue? I eat it all the time, but i never know how it's going to taste until it's in my mouth...

Posted by: grace at May 11, 2007 02:39 PM

it was very helpfull as i was thinking how to grow dragon fruit i apprieate your explnation may God bless you

Posted by: Sadiq shaikh at May 12, 2007 05:28 PM

WOW found this site by chance looking for somethingelse but had to read all and i mean all your coments so it looks like im going to the shops today to buy one thanks ps will keep you informed of the outcome

Posted by: John Beecham at May 13, 2007 08:18 AM

Hmmm... I just came here after eating some fruit which my Indonesian girlfriend insisted I buy. She says that it is useful against diabetes. Living in Indonesia, I wonder how diabetics survive, given that I spend more on insulin than most people earn here. When I enquire about this, the answer invariably involves plants of some description.

Anyway, she told me this fruit was called "buah naga", which translates literally as "dragon fruit", and so I thought I'd investigate it. Yes, it's bland (I got the white-fleshed Hylocereus undulatus version), but if it is healthy, I am prepared to live with that.

My gf reckons it's expensive, and it is, compared with other fruit here. In Pommy money, it works out at about 32p a fruit. (Go to the top of the class if you guessed that I am Australian.) So it is expensive for the locals, but not for someone who, like me, earns their money in the First World.

Oh, and I also now know that I have eaten it before, served for breakfast cut up into little rectangular shapes in hotels around Asia.

Posted by: Richard at May 15, 2007 10:29 AM

i dont like Fruit but when i said i was leaving my current job my Friend (who makes me try all sorts of random fruit and food) brought one in for us all to try.... honestly i LOVE IT!

ive made a nice Fruit salad 2day for my lunch.. strawberrys dragon Fruit and Physilis!

ENJOY!

oh yeah by the way in my Tesco Dragon Fruit is £1.99 a shot!
xxx

Posted by: Karen Kerrison at May 17, 2007 11:16 AM

i've been eating dragon fruit for year. tried my first one at 11 then spent about 5 years looking for another one. absolutely gorgeous!!! two winters ago i bought some seeds off of ebay and away i went! the thing is is really quite large now and i can't wait to see the flowers. might try getting more going and get a forest of them. don't seem to be able to kill, i give mine quite a bit of water - not knowing how much they were meant to have until today - and don't feed it very often and it seems to be very happy. just sprouted it's first aerial roots to attache to the window. lol

Posted by: caz at May 19, 2007 01:04 PM

Bought one in Tesco on Friday 18th May - the barcode on the shelf said "discontinued" so if you want to try - get there quick!

Posted by: Angie at May 20, 2007 03:55 PM

I have just bought one and paid $7 CDN. Worth every penny! Yumm.

Posted by: Rachel at May 24, 2007 02:52 AM

I want to grow it in my country (PAPUA NEW GUINEA) so please tell me where I can obtain planting materials.

Posted by: ANTHORNY MABIAK at May 31, 2007 03:08 AM

We went to the grocer this afternoon, and this was the first time I had seen this curious of fruits! My boyfriend was telling me someone at work ate them. So today we bought one to try. I have not yet tasted it, as I am worried I may be allergic to it as, I am pretty much allergic to everything. lol
Anyways I wanted to learn more on this fruit and I found your explination here most bennificial.
Thank you for that :)
Have a great night.

~Brat~

Posted by: Brat at May 31, 2007 07:17 AM

is dragon fruit is good for the body. please let me know why the fruit is famous. please give some medical reasos.

thanks

Posted by: kumar at June 8, 2007 05:03 PM

I bought a dragon fruit from ASDA today, and I think it has to be the most boring tasting fruit known to mankind!!! Bland isn't the word....it's tasteless!. Why in heaven's name it's called dragon fruit is beyond me, there is definitely no fire in it.
Well I bought it, ate it and won't bother again.

Posted by: Shevlen at June 8, 2007 05:48 PM

I live in Thailand and we get the white flesh dragonfruit imported from Vietnam. We're really lucky that it's very affordable here - only 45 pence (29 baht) for one kilo. I've recently been told by a Thai lady that this fruit is a great aid for losing weight. The seeds act like psyllium seeds which are great for cleansing the intestine. It's not too sweet so it won't cause an insulin rush and bloating in the gut. I'm eating one dragonfruit and one young coconut in the evening in place of dinner. Perhaps I'm only losing excess fluid, but I'm really pleased to have lost 1 kilo over four days.

Posted by: Alice Lawson at June 9, 2007 02:46 PM

Can anyone tell us what to look for / how to pick a good / ripe dragon fruit ???

Thnx.

Posted by: Cece at June 10, 2007 05:12 PM

I brought a dragon fruit today, i had to ask in Asda what it was as i had never seen one before. I thought it was very nice. I think it would be lovely in a fruit cocktail with mango grapes and melon. A good fruit for dietabetics as it is not to sweet.

Posted by: Mags Emordy at June 10, 2007 06:48 PM

Interesting to read most of the comments. I was wondering if anybody knew best way to select the fruit. Is there a 'best time to eat when ........' ie flesh gives to squeezing etc.

tks

Posted by: bernice jones at June 11, 2007 12:24 PM

Try Asda for Dragon Fruit they've just had their first batch in and were only 86 pence each. A lot cheaper than Tesco!

Posted by: Dawn Walker at June 13, 2007 10:00 AM

i brought it, i eat it, and then i threw up for 2days but it looks really nice in the fruit bowl even if i cant eat it.x

Posted by: laura at June 13, 2007 01:09 PM

Hello dragon - people

you know when somebody like me has diabetes, he has to take eventually insulin!

You know what I found out? - Eating dragon fruit I don't need insulin!

I found even a booklet, written in Thai, where is written about the sugar-killer DRAGON - FRUIT!

Bye - bye

Posted by: christopher at June 13, 2007 01:30 PM

I bought five Dragon Fruits in Dartford Market, kent, last week. Guess what Five for a pound £1.00p. Forget Asdas, too expensive look around, seek and ye shall find!

Posted by: John Murphy at June 15, 2007 11:37 AM

This message is for caz. You said you bought the seeds for this fruit. Were did you get them? I live in Florida USA and would very much like to find the seeds for this fruit I have never heard of it before. We have a fruit here that is strange but really good called Star Fruit. Maybe we could trade seeds.

Sue

suecjustice@earthlink.net

Posted by: sue at June 16, 2007 02:25 AM

Hiya, I've tried a dragon fruit and when I first looked at the inside I was like... oh, it doesn't look as nice now. But I tried it and it just tasted like melon! When you bit into it, it was just like water and you can't taste anything! I think it is a strange though interesting fruit if I must say.

Posted by: Sophie at June 16, 2007 06:59 PM

Dear sir,
Iam from Sri Lanka.Bought a few fruits & tasted same.Fantastic.Need to get more information about the fruit.Do you have any book/literature which gives more information about this fruit Pitaya.Can you please email me(nuneka20@zeynet.com).
From
Nuwan kannangara
(Sri Lanka)

Posted by: Nuwan Kannangara at June 19, 2007 08:20 PM

Dragon fruits have a lot of diff tasts even here in Thailand there are a lot what don't tast nice. but if they come from the right place they are very tasty. we have about 50 6" Plants.
I love them

Posted by: Rick at June 22, 2007 03:21 AM

hei, i very interested in the cultvation of the dragon fruit. i was wondering if anyone can give me any pointers baut where or how to begin?

Posted by: quinn at June 22, 2007 02:28 PM

Really brilliant to eat just by itself

Posted by: Neil at June 22, 2007 10:29 PM

hi everybody, I am from malaysia. I have a dragon fruit farm here in malaysia. the trees are just 6 months old and still not flowering. but, i know the whereabouts to get the fruits supply. If you guys interested, pls email me: inn_joe@yahoo.com

Posted by: innjoe at June 29, 2007 07:34 AM

yh ur totally right it realli expensive!!i went to Tescos today to buy stawberries(my fav fruit) and then i saw the dragon fruit, and then i thought hmmm then i saw the price and i was like woah now it's £1.99 so i begged my mum to buy it for...to be honest when i ate the fruit i was a bit dissapionted cos it didnt really have that much flavor

Posted by: kat at June 30, 2007 09:31 PM

I tried this for the first time and was disappointed aswell, It didnt taste of much, but try scooping the flesh out and mixing with vanilla cream..

Posted by: Lou at July 2, 2007 09:51 AM

Hello Everybody,
I am from Karachi(Pakistan)My friend come back from Thailand and brings "Dragon fruit". I have never seen before, it was very atractive to see. when i eat, its tast was average.Then i research about it, It was very glad to see its nutrition value. So now i m trying for possibility of cultivation here in pakistan. If anybody can help me in this regard, I shell very thankful.

Posted by: Dr Faheem at July 2, 2007 12:04 PM

Hi,

I am a Singaporean living in Thailand and I just love dragon fruits, especially the red flesh variety. The fruits are now in peak of season, so we can get them real cheap - 7 baht a fruit (less than Singapore dollars 30 cents)!!! (What will that be in pounds - less than a penny??)What a bragain!! The red flesh variety is definitely sweeter than the white flesh ones and I must also add that the fruit tastes much better in Thailand. When I was in Singapore, the ones I got were usually very bland. I think the fruit lost its sweetness in the export process. By the way, the redness of the juice reminds me of beetroot.

Posted by: Priscilla Ker at July 3, 2007 06:35 AM

With Reference to my comments posted on July,2 2007. Sorry I forgot to show my E-mail address for contact. it is faheem_khan50@hotmail.com

Posted by: Dr Faheem at July 3, 2007 12:45 PM

Hi, I like the yaste of dragonfruit and would like to plant some. Do I plant from cuttings off the mother plant or from the seeds ? Help somebody. Thanks.

Posted by: Bam at July 6, 2007 02:38 PM

Hai there, I would say take the Red Dragon fruit is the best esp when serve chill. Cut it into half and scoop with spoon..whaaaa..so delecious. take it regularly and good for our health. This red Dragon is better than the white, that is why, a bit more expensive.Best for people who have tumor in early stage.got no problem wioth supplies..

Enjoy the fruit..

Posted by: slone at July 12, 2007 10:21 AM

can u describe for me the ways to plant dragon fruit? i want it stage by stage.please help me...

Posted by: rajesh at July 12, 2007 03:26 PM

hey!
me and my bf are doing the rounds of strange looking/out of the ordinary fruit.
and i saw the dragon fruit!
i checked up on how 2 eat it on google and this site poped up...
its a realy amazing fruit...
the slight taist and the texture reminds me of some sweet ive tryed some time ago... i just cant remember what
thankx for the advice on eating it.. id have been stumped otherwise

Posted by: *sTaRa* at July 14, 2007 02:03 PM

Hyee! I'm from Malaysia. I'm a dragon fruit lover. In Malay, they called it 'buah naga'. Now, i'm going through a thesis about dragon fruit,it's post harvest handling including storage and packaging to keep the shelf life longer. Anybody have any brilliant ideas, can send me the information about this dragon fruit. Here's my email address
wish me luck!!

some tips from me; eat this fruit with ice-cream!!

Posted by: rose at July 15, 2007 08:14 AM

Yum I got 2 White flesh Red dragon fruits they kinda taste like nothing but the seeds are tasty and crunchy! But the flesh doesn't really have much flavor.

Posted by: I Like Dragon Fruit at July 16, 2007 02:01 AM

please send me the details about dragon fruits cultivation in Sri Lanka with contact person and way to obtain seeds. ratanajothy@gmail.com
ratanajothy@yahoo.co.in

Posted by: M Rathanajothy at July 17, 2007 06:45 AM

haiii...every body am from indonesia
I had just eaten the fruit, it's so delecious i'hev got pink with white color inside.well if it possible i look for the other variety to eat. but the name of the fruit just hear something frighten for me he.... have nice day 4 all of u.

Posted by: ida at July 18, 2007 09:39 AM

Just tried the Dragon Fruit - I must say it is slightly disappointing in flavour as it is bland but would be great as a sorbet or contribution to a fruit salada

Posted by: Bev James at July 18, 2007 12:54 PM

Same as most people bought Dragon from Tesco but before eating exlored on the internet and after reading all comments had a courage to eat it. I must ssay its not bad at all and reminded me immediately of Turnip's(Shalgam) taste.

Posted by: Diven at July 18, 2007 07:04 PM

Hi!I am a SriLankan. Now I am in Chantaburi Province in eastern Thailand where you can enjoy secenic beauty of Dragon fruit cultivations and to taste its excellent fresh flavor. The pinkish variety is tastier that the white. It is quite rare and has a high market value than the white.

Posted by: Sumith Jayakody at July 20, 2007 05:01 PM

Dear Friend,

I came across a dragon fruit in aresort, and found it intresting. As my hobby is gardening, I just got a thin slice of the fruit and burried in a cocopeat. Its amazing! after few weeks I found dozs of plants came up. Now they are four feet tall, I am wodering what type of Fertilizer I can use to stimulate the growing. It would be very nice of you if you can let me know anything.

Rgds
Hassan Saeed

Posted by: Hassan Saeed at July 23, 2007 10:58 AM

Can the dragon fruit seeds sprout if i try to grow them in sand? Im experimenting with sand plants and i just put dragonfruit seeds in 20 mins ago.

Posted by: Jason at July 23, 2007 11:15 PM

I bought two white flesh dragon fruits for £1 in a car boot sale in Boston-Lincolshire last Sunday. Very exotic but tasteless.....

Posted by: Lorena at July 25, 2007 02:10 AM

Hello,
I saw the Dragon Fruit in Tesco about 2 months ago and although I found the taste bland, it was interesting and I decided to grow the seeds, I put a blob of fruit in a cup and added water rinsed it round to loosen the seeds because if you plant the seeds with the flesh they will rot as bacteria grows on the flesh. I then spread the seed / flesh mix on to normal house hold kitchen tissue paper the good quality type that does not dissolve and left them to dry for two days. When they were dry i tapped them off on to a tray and sprinkled them in to a peat based soil tray and put them in my greenhouse for about two weeks and then just put them outside in their seed trays. I did not take great care of them after all they are very very hardy and retain a large amount of moisture. I now have about 100 baby dragon fruit all with two nice fleshy leaves and the cacti centre I have given them no special treatment and they have been outside in all this bad rain we are having in england at the moment although yesterday i finally seperated the seedlings as they were getting a bit cramped and put them back under cover as they are really wet at the moment. I will update as I progress

Posted by: Emma at July 25, 2007 10:53 AM

Hey there, another dragon fruit convert coming through..... saw this fruit a few weeks ago at a local indian owned grocers shop in cambridgeshire and have been plucking up the courage to try it.. at 50p each i thought it was worth it and.... yes it does have an aftertaste of turnip but its not bad. Have bought extra for friends to try and now i see you can plant the seeds too, bargain, going to give it a go as im a sucker for trying to make things grow. Dragon fruiters of the world... ENJOY! hee hee x

Posted by: shazbat at July 26, 2007 03:36 PM

Tried one from Cardiff market the other day...£1.99 ..a bit expensive. I had guessed it might be a prickly pear (cactus) fruit so i wasn't far off the mark. Tarted up a fruit sald with it diced in. Not very obvious flavour but as people keep saying , it's healthy in content.

Get the seeds by squashing a bit across a piece of paper towel or something. I will now pick off the dried seeds and put them onto sandy compost, cover lightly with sand and keep them moist and warm for a week or so. I will probably split the number and put one lot in the airing cupboard in a poly bag to see if it gives them a flying start.
The the papaya seeds and the mango one all from that salad!

Posted by: Telthecelt at August 3, 2007 04:31 PM

Hi, I tried this dragon fruit few weeks ago,little bland in taste but enjoyable,I also planted some seeds and now I have got,70 little plants growing,hope they all survive!

Posted by: kaz at August 4, 2007 09:29 PM

I have started eating dragon fruit and i bought the one with white flesh, and the fuschia flesh inside. i ate 2 every day. on the third day, i just noticed that my skin seems brighter.BUT my urine has pinkish hue too..which kind of scared the hell out of me. i though my urine was mixed with blood. maybe the color of the fruit is the cause of it.

Posted by: dyan at August 7, 2007 10:57 AM

last autmn grew some dragon seeds one is now 8in tall shaped like a helter skelter.

Posted by: jean at August 7, 2007 08:41 PM

Hi, I really interestted to know more about the postharvest of this dragon fruit.

Posted by: lina at August 13, 2007 05:13 AM

always on the look out for something new i saw this today and decided i had to try it thanks to a lot of infro i got from this site i am ready to "GO" will let you guys know what i think after it gets cold and i get a little more excited from the anticipation i tried a plantain a long time ago thought it would be like a banana so i peeled it and took a BIG Bite BIG Mistake nothing at all like a banana have sinced learned that they are good fried in a little butter and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon thanks to you all i am looking a lot more forward to the NEW experience sandra

Posted by: sandy at August 15, 2007 03:58 AM

Hi, I bought my 1st dragon fruit in Tesco yesteray, £1.75, the cashier had no idea what it was or tasted like so I promised to let her know. I think they should all try new ingredients so they can help us customers! So I expected the flavour to live up to its appearance and was very disappointed. Watery Kiwi fruit is the closest I can get, and despite comments to the contrary I found it was 'marginally' nicer warm, than cold. Shan't bother again but it was part of my plan to 'try something new every week'. am definitely going to try growing some from the seeds though, out of interest, not for the fruit!

Posted by: Jance at August 16, 2007 09:59 PM

I had dragon fruit and, like you thought it looked lovely.
It was a dissapointment to eat!

Posted by: karen at August 17, 2007 09:22 AM

Hi everybody, I've tasted both the white and red dragon fruit and to my taste, i found the red one tastier. I've a new acquantance who recommended a yellow one is better still. He went on to say that the stem is good with chicken soup. The withered flower can be served as vegetable. The polination of the flower can be enhanced at night by using spotlight.In Sarawak we are beginning with just hobby.

Posted by: Boyce Ngau Anyi at August 22, 2007 11:24 AM

I've always seen Dragon fruits on the supermarket shelves & I thought it looks yummy as the external colour combi trying to suggest it is but when I finally had one after meal I have never felt so disappointed in my life, It taste bland & quite seedy & over priced. I should have bought 4 mangosteen for the same price... It's the biggest anti-climax I have ever experienced in my life & that shows all that glitters is not gold :-D

Posted by: Mr_Shifter at August 22, 2007 07:45 PM

i want to get growing information and marketing
i am from srilanka

Posted by: samantha at August 23, 2007 03:20 AM

hi i am 14 i live in bridgewater nova scotia canada i got bored today and i figured i will try to grow something... i was wondering if anyone knew if it would work for me were i live and all it gets cold in the winter but i can always bring it inside

Posted by: matt at August 25, 2007 06:21 PM

OmG people its actually nice! u wouldnt be able to find many in Australia but maybe in the summer! it doesnt look yuk [well sorta] youse shld all try it! It was interesing about what it looked like and where its found!!!! hehe! anywayz this will help me on my school work so thanks editor!!!!

Posted by: Joanne at August 26, 2007 12:29 PM

Have just tried Dragon Fruit for the first time after being intrigued by it in my local Tesco's this morning, first impression that was it tasted like a grape/melon cross, after that it just tasted bland. Will try and grow some seeds to see what happens.
Sue

Posted by: sue horne at September 2, 2007 01:45 PM

I am from Sri Lanka, In Sri Lanka also have Dragon fruit but in a experimental level cultivations.

Posted by: Samith at September 5, 2007 06:11 AM

I've never even tryed it i'm just doing this for homework!! X*~&DRAGON FRUIT&~*X

Posted by: pottie lottie at September 6, 2007 01:01 PM

Hello,
I’m from Sri Lanka. Dragon fruit has a good demand in Sri Lanka. Since there are few Dragon fruit cultivations, it is difficult to fulfill the market demand. Though there are no cultivations, mid country area has a good potential for Dragon fruit cultivation.

Posted by: Amila Herath at September 8, 2007 10:09 AM

It tastes exactly like water cress, kind of sweet & earthy!

Posted by: SAF at September 9, 2007 02:25 AM

to all the people who think the fruit is bland, I would suggest thats because it was picked too early, as most supermarket fruit is, to make sure it survives export from Asia.
I eat it often when I'm in Thailand, but the ones we get here in Oz are nowhere near as good. So I'm growing my own, to go along with all the other wierd and wonderful food for my thai girlfriend !
I bought a 20cm high plant, which grew nearly 2 metres in one summer ! took several cuttings off it (just break off a spur like any cactus) and put them into a cactus potting mix, then transplant into the garden once it has grown new roots.

Posted by: Mike at September 9, 2007 05:04 PM

We are growing from the seeds and are fascinated by the tiny prickles already on the minute leaves, we realise now it's a cactus as we didn't know before. Many thanks for all the interesting info

Posted by: liz and ray at September 10, 2007 02:11 PM

Hi,
I'm from SriLanka. I'm really interested in cultivating dragon fruit in sri lanka & I would like to get more information regarding that. I have about 20 acres in south of Sri lanka which has dry season as well.
so please send me informations as your earliest conveniance.
Thank you.
Ishanka.

Posted by: Ishanka Abeysinghe at September 11, 2007 05:39 AM

Hi,
I'm from SriLanka. I'm really interested in cultivating dragon fruit in sri lanka & I would like to get more information regarding that. I have about 20 acres in south of Sri lanka which has dry season as well.
so please send me informations how to get the seeds as your earliest conveniance.
Thank you.
Priyantha

Posted by: Priyantha at September 12, 2007 08:25 AM

Have grown and eaten all sorts of dragon fruit here in Australia for years. particularly like the red fruit one..Hylocereus polyrhizus.
we have about 20 plants, most of them are aprox 15 to 28 metres high,being epiphytic they actually grow up trees, or can be trained to cascade, which is how they are grown commercially. The only negative thing we find with them is that they are very tasty to flying foxes and fruit bats.
the flower can only be described as stunning!
They are great also for making wine with. (again either red or white.
Its relly delicous believe it or not..with cheese.. all sorts..simple cheddar, blue cheese, goats, smoked and most favoutite.Cottage cheese!

Posted by: Belambi at September 12, 2007 10:14 AM

I first tasted dragon fruit when my husband went home from thailand. I was reluctant at first but when i started to taste, i like the taste.
Now I am staying in thailand, and i'm lucky because every time i go to the market i am able to buy the fruit which is now one of my favorites.

Posted by: lhuz Dimayuga at September 17, 2007 07:09 AM

First tried Dragon fruit in Taiwan
was very impressed. We should sell more in
Great Britian

Posted by: Sheila McGowan at September 17, 2007 08:36 PM

You can get information from Horana Fruit Crop Research & Development Institute or Thelijjavila Research Institute for growing Dragon Fruit in south of Sri Lanka.

Posted by: Amila at September 18, 2007 07:22 AM

I AM FROM NICARAGUA, LIVING IN SOUTH FLORIDA(KENDALL LAKES). WE (@ MY COUNTRY) GROW PITAHAYAS (DRAGON FRUIT) THE RED WITH RED FLESH, AND WE PREPARED THEM IN A JUICE. PUT CUTTED FLESH IN BLENDER, ADD WATER,SUGAR,LIME JUICE AND ICE CUBES. IS SOOO GOOOD! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO GET A PLANT IN MY AREA.

Posted by: MARTHA LIGIA at September 19, 2007 06:20 PM

hi, i am also growing dragon fruit plus lychees & various other exotics, try buying a cheap aquarium & try growing them in that (with lighting hood) you get great results!

Posted by: jane at September 20, 2007 11:08 AM

Im from Malaysia...
LOL! Europeans here seems like very curious bout this dragon fruit. Taste bland? well... no doubt because you tried the white meat dragon fruite and not the red meat dragon fruit. it taste so good and extremely nutritious. Give it a try~ even for local sell here, its still quite expensive especially the red meat dragon fruit. I've been thinking of growing dragon fruit for export business in the future ^.^
have a nice day with dragon fruits!

Posted by: Jeff at September 23, 2007 12:11 PM

i saw these online when browsing for something new and interesting to try. then i got into lychee and forgot about dragonfruit. i moved to toronto, happened to walk through viettown, and there it was. best way to eat it - slice in half, grab a spoon. it has a great flavour, albeit a little bland. great for breakfast!

Posted by: keigan at September 23, 2007 05:58 PM

i had my first dragon in Taiwan white fleshed one though, it tasted like nothing so i didnt like it, after trying it for the 2nd time i realised how refreshing and juicy it was...now back in Australia it's sooo damn expensive and i am always craving for it =(

Posted by: Mashi at September 25, 2007 04:55 AM

i had my first dragon in Taiwan white fleshed one though, it tasted like nothing so i didnt like it, after trying it for the 2nd time i realised how refreshing and juicy it was...now back in Australia it's sooo damn expensive and i am always craving for it =(

Posted by: Mashi at September 25, 2007 04:55 AM

Hello,
I'm from Sri Lanka.You can get Dragon Fruit planting materials, from private farms at Bulathsinghala, Tunkama & Embilipitiya. At Viharamahadevi Park also it is available

Posted by: Amila Herath at September 25, 2007 08:31 AM

this really helped me with my homework

thanks

Posted by: katie wright age 11 at September 29, 2007 08:01 PM

They are amazing. They sell red and white varieties at waitrose and i love them both.

Posted by: betsy at October 2, 2007 02:13 PM

I had to do a project on an unusual fruit and this site really helped thanx.

If I was the editer dude i would put on here what the dragon fruit tastes like, some intresting facts & a few recipies for the dragon fruit.

Nadinexx

Posted by: Nadine at October 2, 2007 07:38 PM

I live in Hawaii and this unusual fruit is often seen at fruit stands in Chinatown (island of Oahu in Honolulu). It is expensive even here. ($3.95 per pound) I bought one today and simply enjoyed this delicacy. It's not a fruit that I would purchase on a regular basis, but when I feel like spoiling myself... I do!
It's really a mild taste. Very watery. The variety I got today was bright pink on the inside and it didn't taste any different than the ones that are white on the inside.
I was surfing the web looking for the nutritional value of this strange fruit and I found enough information to suit me right here.
Thanks
and
Much Aloha!

Posted by: Jacquie F at October 3, 2007 09:07 AM

hi..!!!
im from malaysia. theres a lot of dragonfruit in my country..beside that, my father also planted a lot of these fruit..about 3 acres..now, we just sell it in local market only..so..if anybody want to know about dragonfruit..just me an email...

Posted by: aziman azmi at October 7, 2007 05:24 PM

I today have just bought a Dragon Fruit out of curiosity and also think the look of the fruit is very interesting but the tatse is a bit of a let down. I had never thought of trying to grow one myself. After reading some of the comments, guess what I am going to give it a try and hope the weather in Lincolnshire is kind to me. Lets just hope we don't end up with England covered in "Triffid Plants"

Posted by: Margaret at October 9, 2007 03:45 PM

I'm from Tampa, Florida. Can't get my Dragon to bear fruit, only 1 bloom in a year.

Help!!!!

Posted by: Wayne King at October 14, 2007 07:13 AM

I bought a dragon fruit from tescos and YES it was expensive so I decided to have a go at growing them so I dried out some seeds and then I potted them up and cut up a plastic bottle and used it as a mini greenhouse and they all came up so when they were big enough I put them in other pots and gave some to a friend of mine. The dragon fruit cacti are now about 2inches long.I dont water them very often as they are cacti but they are doing well.Have a go they are so easy to grow.

Posted by: belinda at October 17, 2007 09:06 PM

Hi...
I'm so intrasted with dragon fruit,
I have enough spase to grow them,
Pls some one help me to learn about dragon fruit
I'm in sri lanka also i need contact details of a person or a company who can supply me with dragon fruit plants

Posted by: Dinesh at October 22, 2007 11:30 AM

we tried one in school and now we have to do research on them!! Aaargh!!

Posted by: Charlotte at October 22, 2007 12:53 PM

I first tried dragon fruit in Thailand a couple of years ago. It was refreshing, but a bit bland, however, great when the weather is hot. Today I just tried a yellow variety. It's much smaller, about 5 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter, but very, very sweet! Texture is more like a kiwi, whitish/transparent flesh with black seeds...mmm!

Posted by: aGin at October 23, 2007 03:06 PM

Dragonfruit TIPS:
Coming home to my mother's house I would find her prized Dragonfruit plants sprouting over two dozen buds/flowers, for a plot area of 6' by 1'. This was in september of 2007. These plants grow arial roots that attach themselves to anything it can, like the wooden fence of my parent's backyard. At that time, I had never tasted one of these fruits before. I recall my mother saying that she received some clippings of the cactus plant from her friend. She simply stuck it in soil at one corner of the backyard where there was minimal direct sunlight. After several months to a year, she noticed that the plant was not sprouting new limbs. With her usual intuition, she replanted the clippings at the other side of the backyard, against the wooden fence where it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. She would water the plant once a day, but no more. She says that if you water it too much, then the flower will rot or fall. Also, once more limbs start to grow, you can cut some and replant them next to the parent plants. Once the plant is growing arial roots, then they are mature and should bear some fruits. If not, my mother told me that she would cut the tips of each limb to induce the cactus to sprout buds, and eventually fruits. The day I flew back, my mother picked the only ripe dragonfruit for me and it tasted so sweet and refreshing, like nothing I had expected for such a strange looking fruit. I have a beautiful picture of the exact fruit (still on the plant) that I ate.
If you want to see, send me your email address or post it on this website. If you want more tips please let me know. Cheers- Tiger

Posted by: Tiger at October 26, 2007 06:58 AM

Shopping in ASDA today, I spotted these and being a person who will try eating anything I brought one. I tried it after putting it in the fridge for a couple of hours, found it a nice fruit but for it being a bit tastless. A bit of lime juice on it maybe like on a Papaya. Lable on side of fruit box showing you how to make cheesecake with it. Might have a go at growing one. 6/10

Posted by: Ian at October 26, 2007 04:21 PM

I saw one of these Dragon fruits for the first time in Asda today, very surprising thing that caught my eye. Im a chef and was very intrigued as I have never even heard of these. i didnt buy it as I wanted to read about it first so thanks for this site giving info. I will go back and try one then try and grow it. lol im like a little kid now I cant wait.

Posted by: Denise at October 28, 2007 06:10 PM

i am a foster carer was given a dragon fruit by a chinese mum for her child .had to find info now
the family love them to

Posted by: pat at October 31, 2007 07:48 PM

well i bought one yesterday . and yes the colour is just fantastic .. the taste is a little anticlimax afterwards, but a heavenly looking fruit .. worth a try .. we should try something new whenever we can

Posted by: bob at November 4, 2007 06:52 PM

Helo... Im Dr. Teddy F. Tepora, current program leader of dragon fruit research and development at cavite state univrsity Indang Cavite Philippines

If u need more information on dragon fruit particularly on pests and diseases pls. contact me teddytep@yahoo.com. I would love to share some info with u

Regards

Ted

Posted by: teddy at November 5, 2007 03:57 AM

I saw this pretty looking fruit so I decided to buy it. As part of the Healthy schools initiative I'm always on the look out for different fruit so I can take into school for our students to try. On the whole they all thought it was nice but more than anything they couldn't get over how nice the colour was.

Posted by: Hils at November 13, 2007 02:03 PM

Great info on the ol' dragon fruit. Thanks!

Posted by: New Leaf at November 15, 2007 07:02 PM

i am a 12 year old girl.
got a dragon fruit in asda because it looked cool. it was tasty i really like the colour. i would recommend them to anyway!!!

Posted by: holzbolz at November 15, 2007 08:56 PM

I have a 3.5 acre land at Horana where I wish to grow dragonfruit.
Can anyone tell me,
a. Where to get plants ?
b. Any supporting body / organisation through which we can exchange information ?
c. Where to sell ( Any large scale buyer )?

Regards,
Tissa

Posted by: Tissa at November 23, 2007 01:23 PM

hi, i am from malaysia , i started to love this fruit as a customer , since i have few hectares of land , i invested into dragon fruit plantation! i am now very experienced with it .Anyone who are interested to know more may email me !!
My email add: bernicesi@yahoo.co.uk
bernicesi@hotmail.com

Posted by: bernicesi at November 27, 2007 03:01 PM

dragonfruit tastes funny, but I haven't tried it yet...lol

Posted by: Ottawa, Canada at November 27, 2007 09:19 PM

I nearly bought one of these this evening in Asda (I think for the same price you paid). Now I've researched it a bit via your well-written article and the Wikipedia page, I think I'll take the plunge next time!

Posted by: Jonathan FeBland (Znethru) at November 28, 2007 10:19 PM

Take 12"-14" long cuttings from your dragon plant in backyard & plant.

Posted by: Dinesh at November 30, 2007 03:03 PM

Hello Dragons,
People use the word “Dragon” for a dinosaur like animal. Southeast Asian Dragon similar to a stegosaur & Western Dragon similar to a Pterodactyl. I think .the name “Dragon fruit” originated in Southeast Asia. Because its’ appearance much more similar to a stego. Sri Lanka

Posted by: Dragon at November 30, 2007 03:07 PM

This fruit is amazing, I like to try different foods, so I bought one, took it home, cut it in half and me and my boyfriend had half each, what a great experience. Next one I get it will go into the fridge first!

Posted by: jaci at December 4, 2007 01:28 PM

This fruit is amazing, I like to try different foods, so I bought one, took it home, cut it in half and me and my boyfriend had half each, what a great experience. Next one I get it will go into the fridge first!

Posted by: jaci at December 4, 2007 01:28 PM

I saw one of these chaps in Asda the other day, and was fascinated... first time in a while I've seen something so new to me. Was tempted to buy one, but I didn't know where to begin how to eat it so decided to do a bit o research. Came across this page, its great! Indeed, everything i wanted to know about it, especially how it tasted. Will be picking myself up two of these next trip to the supermarket, one to eat and one to display. They're so purty....

Posted by: Ross at December 4, 2007 02:14 PM

I saw one of these chaps in Asda the other day, and was fascinated... first time in a while I've seen something so new to me. Was tempted to buy one, but I didn't know where to begin how to eat it so decided to do a bit o research. Came across this page, its great! Indeed, everything i wanted to know about it, especially how it tasted. Will be picking myself up two of these next trip to the supermarket, one to eat and one to display. They're so purty....

Posted by: Ross at December 4, 2007 02:16 PM

When I saw the Dragon Fruit in Tesco I could not resist buying. The flavour is delicate and the texture pleasant. I enjoyed the story of its origin. It would make an interesting talking point at a dinner party. Growing my own could be fun.

Posted by: Ann at December 8, 2007 08:35 PM

Any suitable organic fertilizer for dragon fruit so that it will frui well during rainy season? I planted about 4000 plants on a 2 acres of land but these plants do not flowers & fruits well during rainy season. Give some advice so that this dragon/pitahaya trees may fuit well during raining season.

Posted by: Darus at December 9, 2007 03:39 PM

Any suitable organic fertilizer for dragon fruit so that it will frui well during rainy season? I planted about 4000 plants on a 2 acres of land but these plants do not flowers & fruits well during rainy season. Give some advice so that this dragon/pitahaya trees may fuit well during raining season.

Posted by: Darus at December 9, 2007 03:40 PM

Any suitable organic fertilizer for dragon fruit so that it will frui well during rainy season? I planted about 4000 plants on a 2 acres of land but these plants do not flowers & fruits well during rainy season. Give some advice so that this dragon/pitahaya trees may fuit well during raining season.

Posted by: Darus at December 9, 2007 03:41 PM

Found comments interesting. I saw one today in Asda so if anyone is having difficulty finding them, they have them at the moment. I haven't plucked up courage to buy one yet. I'm not particularly fond of kiwi so wonder if I'll like them? They're very pretty, I'll probably get one and it'll sit on top of the fruit bowl till it's no good (as per usual with half my fruit).

Posted by: Gilly at December 11, 2007 05:19 PM

just bought my first dragon, may try the eat and grow thing. sounds a bit exciting, to see the flowers in the middle of the night, though in wales i think i will have to keep it under wraps.
the eating thing might just be a taste and then pass it on to hubby, brave man (ha ha). thanks for your tips.. nic

Posted by: nicola at January 12, 2008 01:03 PM

Lidl have these now ...12th Jan 08...gonna buy 2 today 99p each.

Posted by: sarah at January 13, 2008 11:17 AM

well just tried one for the 1st time just now & not bad..very nice in a fruit salad..chill it first makes a lot of differance texture of a melon & faint taste of kiwi..but over all i would buy them 1 or 2 a month for a fruit salad for the family..
kind regards
phil white
songwriter uk

Posted by: songwriter phil white at January 14, 2008 03:49 PM

hey ! I'm doing a project on the fruit for my Geography class, my teacher said I should do the Dragon Fruit, at first I was scared to do it because I had no idea what it was. But I absolutely can not wait to try it and present it to my class, it is a very interesting fruit indeed! (:

Posted by: courtneey at January 14, 2008 08:34 PM

Hhhhmm.. intresting article! Thanks :) I might even hav a go at growing my own!

Posted by: Daniel Price at January 15, 2008 03:00 PM

FYI - i think i only paid 79p from Lidl for one!

Posted by: Daniel Price at January 15, 2008 03:05 PM

Just bought one at Lidl - 99p. Couldn't resist as the pink is my favourite colour!

Just looked on Google to find the ins and outs and thought I would add to these posts.

I will show it to other half before eating it - it seems a shame to destroy it though - it makes a nice ornament!

Posted by: cheryl at January 17, 2008 01:02 PM

Just bought one at Lidl - 99p. Couldn't resist as the pink is my favourite colour!

Just looked on Google to find the ins and outs and thought I would add to these posts.

I will show it to other half before eating it - it seems a shame to destroy it though - it makes a nice ornament!

Posted by: cheryl at January 17, 2008 01:03 PM

Hi Dragon Lovers;
Im from Sri Lanka.Dragon Fruit will definitely be the fruit of the future.In Sri Lanka we have most suitable tropical weather conditions for the growing this wonderful fruit.Im looking for a investor for a 50 he plantation.

Posted by: Shantha at January 18, 2008 01:06 PM

Just started looking at this page after i brought a dragon fruit the other day in lidl for 99p and not knowing what it was. It was something i never tried until just now. Shared it with my brother who loved it. Really nice&juicey. Back to lidl 2morrow to see if i can get some more.

Posted by: Helen at January 18, 2008 11:30 PM

Well, I've just eaten my first dragon fruit which I bought for my photography A' level. Of course I disected it and took photos first as the colours are wonderful and the contrast of the outer and inner is amazing...I liked the taste too, reminded me of Kiwi fruit but nicer as it's softer inside and no fizzy bits outside. I will definately buy another..thumbs up from me!

Posted by: snowflakefairy at January 20, 2008 04:49 PM

Hi Ive just bought a dragon fruit from lidl they ar 99p at the moment, just off to try it now.

Posted by: Andrea at January 21, 2008 11:32 AM

just bought my first dragon from lidles as i as curious as to what it was , cost 99p the girl at the check out asked me to tell her next week what it was like. my daughter in law wouldnt try it the grand kids are in school so its all mine enjoyed its juciness i am going to try and grow some seeds iv been a diabetic for 50 years so hopefuly its not to sweet does any body know?
thanks

Posted by: shirl at January 22, 2008 02:47 PM

I bought one today in Lidl - 99p. I've yet to try it but am really looking forward to it - I love seeds and discoveriung what type I've got - white or red flesh will be wicked!!!

Posted by: Jacquie at January 22, 2008 08:13 PM

Having just seen a Dragon fruit for sale in my local ASDA (walmart) i was anxious to find out a little about it before buying. Your post has answered my questions as to inner appearance and taste. Now im feeling brave enough to battle my own dragon!! Thanks!

Posted by: Jue at January 23, 2008 02:19 PM

hey, another lidl customer - we've just bought one and this is the first page google threw up when I searched to see how to eat them :)

Posted by: phil at January 24, 2008 05:18 PM

hi i am ollie i am 7 years old and my sister (age 6) and my mum have just eaten a dragon fruit for the first time ever. We thought it was really nice and if we see another one in the shops we will buy it.

Posted by: ollie at January 24, 2008 06:20 PM

hi all worldwide just joined the dragonfruit appreciation society lol i saw one at tescos in kings lynn east anglia uk last night reduced to 50pence so thought why not try at that price i had a pink skinned white fleshed one. got home tried all my cookery reference books but no joy. peeled off scales then cut into skin to find the flesh tried tasting the skin ugh but flesh ok if somewhat bland but will have more in future. i am 63/64 and as a kid one got excited at seeing a banana for sale now it seems a new fruit or vegetable appears in shops every week which is great as i can travel the world by eating. i keep trying different fruits since giving up tobaco so not sure if i will become a very healthy girl or on the loo all the time just hope i am not pregnant with this craving to try out new fruits/veggies lol

Posted by: KERRY WHYBROW at January 27, 2008 04:19 AM

I bought my very first Dragon fruit yesterday at ASDA rather expensive at £1.95 for one,taste!not sure how to describ it more like a very ripe pear and a ripe kiwi mixture!will i purchase another ? maybe.

Posted by: derek at January 30, 2008 12:14 PM

my other half bought me a dragonfriuit from tesco was astonished by price one pound seventy nine.it was awful no flavour mixed part with other fruit and threw rest out.never again.

Posted by: mike at January 31, 2008 10:12 AM

bought a dragon fruit in tesco y'day for 1.99 (i was robbed) me and my little boy up for anything, 10 mins ago we excitedly cut into it and couldnt wait to devour the tasty juicy fruit, what a dissapointment! we both screwed up our faces and the only thing i think it tastes like is a mild raddish, now considering if the guinea pig would like it, or make a smoothie with loads of honey but that defeats the object of being healthy xx

Posted by: melissa at January 31, 2008 12:29 PM

Decomposted chicken manure can use for dragon plant to fruit well during rainy season.

Posted by: Amila at February 3, 2008 04:25 AM

Hi my name is Fanus Viviers, I am from South-Africa.I am very interested in the DRAGON FRUIT and would like to plant some under drip irrigation. I need some more information of where to get some seeds, plants actually every thing how to start and what I need for my first planting. How can I get hold of your book? Can you help me please!

THANK YOU
FANUS

Posted by: Fanus Viviers at February 5, 2008 06:54 PM

as i love dragons my mum thought she would buy me and my brother and sister one to try we thought it was great danny

Posted by: Danny spoors at February 7, 2008 04:04 PM

Tried some today and loved it..... definitely will have some more. The mix of flavours is between melon and kiwi... but bland in that sense. The seed we don't even notice them.
You should try.

Posted by: miguel at February 7, 2008 08:48 PM

well we have just migrated to australia from east yorkshire and we have the dragon fruit cactus in our garden. it is over 5 ft high and 15 ft across. The flowers were amazing and we now have about 40 fruit on it so we are very popular with our friends and relatives. We love the dragon fruit and will be eating a lot in the next few weeks for free! no tescos here

Posted by: tracy at February 10, 2008 09:43 AM

Hello! Everyone!

Well, who knows good reciepies with Dragon Fruit. I want to try it for the first.

Posted by: Tanya at February 11, 2008 01:27 PM

just had one

its a fruit i suppose.

good for me

one of 5 a day

anti-oxidants

all i need from it

Posted by: tino at February 12, 2008 04:28 PM

Hello to all those people that are curious with how the hell to eat a dragon fruit with out getting poisen'd, I had my first one bought me as a random present for my 21st and I have to say its pritty much tasteless altough the seeds are slightly sweet just like kiwi fruit, please dont be afraid by its bright colours which give off the look as if to be deadly its perfectly harmless just dont eat the skin. What a cool birthday experience go go Dragon Fruit lol

Posted by: Claire at February 12, 2008 10:32 PM

I love dragon fruit

Posted by: mila at February 18, 2008 08:21 AM

i also interested in cultivating dragon fruit in trincomalee, SriLanka

Posted by: nasahir at February 19, 2008 05:27 AM

We ate a dragon fruit before Christmas, I kept the seeds and planted them last week, I have loads of seedlings. Really pleased.

Posted by: michele at February 22, 2008 05:46 PM

I like dragon fruit very much, but it is very expensive ($4-$5 Canadian each).The yellow variety is really nice, but very rare in Canada.
I'm going to try to grow my own inside here, and we'll see what happens.

FYI: Most seedlings begin life as an above ground plant with immature leaves (such as the two on the baby catus) which are called cotyledons - dicotyldons in this case, because there are two leaves. These allow the little plant to gather energy while more complex leaves are formed.

Posted by: amanda at February 23, 2008 09:36 PM

i will like to know more about this(dragon fruit)fruit.i live in africa i wish to grow it in Ghana

Posted by: jake at February 24, 2008 07:58 PM

We are interested in planting dragon fruit in Sri Lanka.In our country the tropical weather condition is ideal for planting this fruit.I am lokking for an exporter to buy this product.

Posted by: Rasika at February 27, 2008 04:56 PM

We are interested in planting dragon fruit in Sri Lanka.In our country the tropical weather condition is ideal for planting this fruit.I am lokking for an exporter to buy this product.

Bandula Samarawickrama

Posted by: Rasika at February 27, 2008 04:57 PM

Tried the fruit for the first time today after getting it from Tesco. Its really nice as a refreshing but not too sweet fruit (all important to a Diabetic like me!). I would recommend it to all and it has some really interesting looks about it too.

I will try the "grow your own" route at some point but unfortunately I ate all of it this time including the seeds!

Enjoy!!!

Posted by: Kwikkwakzx at February 29, 2008 02:44 PM

I was in Cambodia last year and in the hotel bar rather than having potatoe crisp they had crisp made from Dragon Fruit and mighty nice they were too.

Posted by: Fish at February 29, 2008 03:26 PM

i am interesting about growing dragon fruit, can you pleas send me detail of A - Z growing dragon fruit.

Posted by: U.L.Perera at March 17, 2008 10:05 AM

Well, I thought I'd stumbled on something quite unique but there seems to be many other Dragon slayers already out there.

Just one thing - they should have called it 'Seymour' as it's something straight out of Little Shop of Horrors - someone's probably already made that observation but I couldn't resist pointing that out ;)

PS I bought mine at Morrisons supermarket in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, UK, for a purse-bursting £1.98.

Posted by: Sophie at March 25, 2008 07:38 PM

it is lovely you should try it " IT'S LOVELY" ,James age 8

Posted by: james at March 25, 2008 07:38 PM

Bought one today in morrisons, quite expensive at £1.98. Looks better than it tastes.But at least I have tried it. Might buy it again.

Posted by: Audrey Whitehead at March 27, 2008 07:14 PM

Hi. Tried Dragon Fruit last night. Very bland wouldn`t pay that sort of money for it again. The fruit looks very impressive. We are on a healthy fresh fruit kick at the moment and also tried Chikoo, absolutely gorgeous. Looks very uckky but there is a wonderful caramel type taste. Reccomended.Next in line is star fruit.

Posted by: Dave at March 28, 2008 07:57 AM

Just tried one,quite nice.Even my daughter liked it and she is usually very finnicky where strange looking food is concerned.Was told that in Hong Kong you are not allowed on buses or in some Hotel rooms with them because of the smell!!!!

Posted by: Gryffendor at March 31, 2008 06:07 PM

how did drgon fruit get i'ts name.

Posted by: Nicholas wardrop at March 31, 2008 08:33 PM

i bought mine from morrisons 2day £1.98 so abit pricer but it caught my eye my partner used to drink a soothie type drink with dragon fruit in so i have popped mine in the fridge and will have half later n c what i think.I Also wondered what i would find inside so typed on google and there u popped sounds nice i mite have a go at growing mine my friend says it would look good as a ornamant lol!! does look pretty tho

Posted by: sonia davies at April 9, 2008 04:25 PM

Hi,

I'm from Kent, UK. I saw the fruit in Morrison's today and was very curious. It is expensive for a fruit but that didn't matter - curiousity took over. What a bloody great marketing tool this plant genes have - I think the fruit was tasteless. My expectations were not even half way met. I like kiwi and melons but this is sooo tasteless compared. Dissapointed, pity I cant ask for a refund!

Posted by: Julie at April 10, 2008 07:11 PM

i'm from malaysia.i'm queit interesred in plnting dragon fruit.do u think i can get some money from this?

Posted by: kiki at April 13, 2008 09:17 AM

we just tried a dragon! bit strange but nice

Posted by: jane briscoe at April 13, 2008 04:52 PM

SriLanka will be the major supplier of Green Dragon to the Asian market with in next decade.

Posted by: Dragon at April 18, 2008 07:50 AM

My son and I bought one from Tesco's the other evening, they were in abundance, it is now April, and just wanted to say to Sharon (8th Sept 2006), they can be bought all year round from tesco's apparently...

Haven't tried it yet, but now I have found out all of this infomation, looking forward to it.

Posted by: Kimusami at April 18, 2008 12:44 PM

HI ive just bought a draogn fruit from asda and was amazed at the beautifull colour. i cut it open and it looked yummy. was a bit dissapointed at the taste so made it into a smoothie with rasberries, orange juice and natural yoghurt it was yummy !!!!

Posted by: Katheriine Lou at April 19, 2008 11:54 AM

Plese send me information about dragon frute. and i would like grow gragon frute

Posted by: thusith at April 28, 2008 08:08 AM

i am in Acton, Ontario, Canada- a small town northwest of Toronto.
i just ate my first dragon fruit and i loved it! my hubby bought one and i just ate half of it- delicious, will be buying more soon! we get the ones with white flesh here- i am now going to look for the red flesh ones in the specialty food shops.

Posted by: Jen at May 1, 2008 08:51 PM

Found a dragon fruit in Morrisons last wednesday, we just had to try one as I collect dragons!!
Was a bit dubious - cost £1.98 for one fruit - however we did enjoy it. Gorgeous colour skin and agree with comments re taste it's a cross between melon and kiwi but not as sweet. (we had white fleshed variety).
After reading all other comments my husband says he will try growing one & will only charge me 50p per fruit. I really hope it doesn't get to twenty feet it might not fit in the conservatory!!

Posted by: Dragonlady at May 4, 2008 09:03 PM

i live in brisbnae australia
since trying dragon fruit i do like it .my daughter has a tree in her front yard ,i just have to beat the neighbours to them

Posted by: nev at May 4, 2008 11:56 PM

Hello,
Green dragon is a fine solution for the future fruit market to overcome the discontinuity of fruit supply from global dimming, which reduces rainfall in crop growing areas.
Sri Lanka

Posted by: Dragon at May 8, 2008 03:36 PM

I had a dragon fruit for the first time on wednesday and it was lovely, I was a bit hesitent when I heard most of the people saying it was basically tasteless, I haven't got a clue what they are talking about I got mine from tesco's in scotland in the highlands and it was juicy tasty and I am longing for another one. I must have got a good one as it tasted exactly like a kiwi fruit to me

Posted by: Dizi at May 10, 2008 05:34 PM

Thank you very much for educating me.

Rohan from Sri Lanka

Posted by: ROHAN at May 14, 2008 08:15 AM

fantastic looking fruit , but doesnt taste of much -half of fruit with insides scooped out make handy little bowls... by the way great website.

Posted by: Cameron Thynne at May 14, 2008 09:05 PM

i,ve brourht a dragon fruit from asda the only reason why i did was cause it was reduced cuttin into it there was loads of seeds i thought it was very bland but it had a nice crunch so i,d like to try the next time wid ice cream

Posted by: annemarie at May 20, 2008 10:15 PM

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. I invested in one of those fancy pink-coloured Dragons from Tesco. Me and my partner were TOTALLY UNDERWHELMED. Looked tantalising, tasted like ...... nothing really .... "Be careful what you wish for - you might get it!"

Posted by: Awkward at May 24, 2008 01:18 AM

My son-in-law sowed a large spoonful of Dragon Fruit seeds. After three weeks we potted-on about 100 seedlings and I took a couple of dozen to my house. (In our dreams we could supply our local supermarket.) Neither of us has a greenhouse so I don't expect we shall see any fruits, we live in England, but it's a bit of fun and we'll see who grows the tallest stem........

Posted by: LJ at May 25, 2008 07:52 PM

I would really like to know more about the time that it should take to grow to fruiting stage from seed. I tried the seed growing method and got a lot of little plants but none have gone much further than 10 inches in over a year.

Posted by: Heather at May 30, 2008 05:29 PM

Have successfully propgated 100's of seeds...have now transplanted them but they seem to have come to a 'halt'. Any tips please on how to encourage the seedlings?
Penny,previously in the 'Garden of England' but now in Perth Western Australia

Posted by: Penny at June 1, 2008 05:51 AM

Hi all, I'm from Malaysia. The cost of this fruits is just RM3 each approx USD1. And it is a red flesh.

Chill it and eat it.. very nice!

Posted by: Jonathan at June 2, 2008 04:31 PM

Hello,Iam from Malaysia.At my hometown,I can get dragon fruit easily, with price range from USD1.50 per kilo to USD4.50 per kilo (after converting from our currency)We also planted the dragon fruit.The red flesh is better than the while flesh.Taste sweeter and better compared to white flesh.I read and found that some of you start growing dragon fruit using seeds.You are wrong.You cannot grow it using seeds.It only take around 4 to 6 months to plant and start having fruits if you take good care of it.Most important,do not get the wrong plant or else it wont bear any fruits no matter how long you plant.

Posted by: Anna at June 7, 2008 05:19 AM

Hi all...if you were once disappointed by the white-fleshed dragon fruit, consider trying the purple/red fleshed ones. Unlike its white-fleshed cousin, they taste sweet and aromatic, not to mention addictive. As both white and purple flesh dragon fruits have the same hot pink skin, its difficult to tell them apart unless indicated. I had the best dragon fruit during a holiday in Indonesia, its smaller in size and purple-fleshed and cost US 1 for two 3" fruit. Don't give up on them just yet!!!

Posted by: Maki at June 12, 2008 02:53 PM

My grandson really wanted to try this, so I bought one £1.98p (so what! he is my grandson) he loved the look of it and the name but did not like it. he will eat all other fruit. i will try any fruit but even i did not like it, i think it is overrated, the name sounds good, it looks good, but even melon and kiwi are better tasting, even though these are mild flavoured jucy fruit. these fruit are great for decoration only but bad for the purse. definitely overrated

Posted by: ma\ureen at June 12, 2008 03:14 PM

I am from England and I had this fruit in Thailand with many other fruits and yoghurt for breakfast, very nice. bought some in their tesco and cost about 50p per kilo. eventurally back in the UK they appeared in Tesco very small and whithered priced at £1.99 FOR ONE FRUIT!! had to buy one though cause I wanted seeds, after planting over 100 seeds, three seedlings survived, and one year later they are still the same size with the two leaves just changing into a cactus, at this rate it will be 20 years before it's big enough for fruit, and if it grows as big as some say it will have to go outside but i dont know if it will survive in an English climate, has anyone got any advise on this.
cheers Tracey


Posted by: tracey at June 13, 2008 09:33 AM

Hi. I used to grow these fruits in my garden on Ascension Island. They grew really easily. The long bits of cactus put out little aerial roots, so I just scrounged a cutting with some roots from a friend's garden and planted it. It grew in no time and a few years later was all over the back fence panels. Lots of beautiful fruit - I took many photographs as the colour is so striking. Also the lovely flowers that come out at night. Have you seen the Frida Kahlo painting 'Pitahayas'? Not sure what the oak leaf represents?

Posted by: Kyla at June 13, 2008 02:47 PM

i,m very intrested about the growing of dragon fruit please send me more information about dragon fruit.i'm from sri lanka.

Posted by: dasuni liyanage at June 19, 2008 11:22 AM

Dragon fruit is long day plant, so in Vietnam now we can produce it year around by treating the plant with additional light. Normally, dragonfruit is propagated by cutting not by using seed. We are exporting more now. Hope you can find it easily in the supermaket.

Posted by: Nguyet at June 26, 2008 10:19 AM

Hello,
Green dragon is a fine solution for the future fruit market to overcome the discontinuity of fruit supply from global dimming, which reduces rainfall in crop growing areas.
Sri Lanka

Posted by: Dragon at June 29, 2008 01:10 PM

There are organically produced dragon fruit collectors in Kaluthara area,for exportation.

Posted by: Amila at July 1, 2008 02:37 PM

Wow, what an intresting site, well done for doing all the homework, we just bought one from morrisons as our little girl thought it was so pretty at a cost of £1.99, i cut it open a half hour ago and was prompted to look it up by the strangeness of it!
She is now happily tucking in and has eaten over a quater! think ill try the seed thing!!!!

Posted by: claire at July 5, 2008 03:06 PM

i juz had it today...i ate Hylocereus polyrhizus. yummy.it's cheap in malaysia.i bought it for RM10(which is about 1.55pounds) for 3.well, the red 1 is sweeter than the white 1...go try!!

Posted by: ballerina at July 6, 2008 04:50 PM

Hi,
Hi I'm Eranga,I want to get more details about dragon fruite.Pls help me.I'm waiting for your reply

Posted by: A.M.E.N.ABEYSINGHE at July 7, 2008 03:37 PM

in thailand we have lots of dragon fruit with cheap price just 25 bht per kilo ///

Posted by: pariya at July 8, 2008 02:05 AM

I've tasted a dragon fruit, though it tasted nice i just like the freaky shape and form

Posted by: Thead at July 8, 2008 03:36 PM

I really whant to try one but in Guernsey[channel Islands] we dont grow them. I like pomogranits so hope I like this fruit. Weres the best place to buy it in the UK? Write again when Ive aventually tried one. =]

Posted by: Jessica whattam at July 8, 2008 07:00 PM

Hi I wrote to you earliyer but I am going back to the UK in August to see my Granparents in west yourkshire [Huddersfiel] I really whant to no were is the best place accept Tesco to find dragon fruit. Im not sure if ASDA do it But please let me no. Guernsey is quite hot so is it a good Idea to plant a seed or not. From Jessica

Posted by: Jessica Whattam at July 8, 2008 07:10 PM

Hello..
I have a pitaya farm in Malaysia located very near to KLIA (Kuala Lumpur Int'l Airport, about 10 mins away by car). If anyone from overseas keen to know more about this fruit (or interested to import fruit/cutting) please feel free to email me at clng23@hotmail.com. thanks

Posted by: Kenny Ng at July 9, 2008 09:17 AM

wow we bought a dragon fruit the other day just for a laugh we didnt know what the hell to do with it where it came from why it was called the dragon fruit or even how to eat it but when m boo comes back later we'll have it after tea thanx man that was like some awsome advice you never know if i like it i might take it to the salon for the girls and mac to try out!
seeya xx

Posted by: clara at July 12, 2008 01:53 PM

wow we bought a dragon fruit the other day just for a laugh we didnt know what the hell to do with it where it came from why it was called the dragon fruit or even how to eat it but when my boo comes back later we'll have it after tea thanx man that was like some awsome advice you never know if i like it i might take it to the salon for the girls and mac to try out!
seeya xx

Posted by: nancy at July 12, 2008 01:59 PM

Hiya!! I had dragon fruit for the first time on Saturday, I was having lunch in Blakes, Liverpool with my Mum and I ordered a white chocolate and raspberry parfeit and when it came it had little white seeded cubes around it, I had no idea what it was but ate it anyway, it didn't have much taste and my Mum agreed so we asked the waitress what it was and when she said 'Dragon Fruit' we both pulled a face and I thought I'd goodle it.

I agree though it is bland but I liked the way Blakes used it with their deserts!

Posted by: Lisa at July 14, 2008 04:27 PM

i need to get more knowledge about dragon fruit.so if you can please send me some details.

Posted by: Dushan Munasinghe at July 15, 2008 07:28 AM

HI my name is Jessica and I am 12 years old. I like a lot of different fruits but were I live in Guernsey we dont have much trasportation for food. I rally whant to try a dragon fruit they look Delish. Im in the Uk for a bit for 2weeks were is the best place to get this fruit from. please give me more info about this great fruit. Yours sincearly Jessica.

Posted by: Jessica whattam at July 18, 2008 10:06 AM

Hi! I had my second dragon fruit when I am reviewing for my board examination last September 2006 and had my first I think 2005. I remember that my mother was disappointed with my father for thinking that my father bought a strange fruit. But actually he got it from my uncle who had a plantation of dragon fruit. At first I didn't like it but now I am enjoying it. My father also propagated some through cuttings and is now bearing fruit and I am very excited to sell it in the market. My problem is how to do it knowing that not everybody know this fruit. By the way I from Philippines. Anyway, I got so excited when I read the messages posted here and if it happens that you know how to market it please email me.. email ad: melaniereboldera@yahoo.com

Posted by: melanie at July 26, 2008 09:46 AM

I bought dragon fruit in Canada before moving to Florida and loved it. It looks so exotic and the flavour is not overly sweet. Now that I am living in Florida, I have planted two dragon fruit cacti, purchaed from a local nursery. Tey are growing along an east facing fence where there is constant sun.

Posted by: Jackiekc at July 26, 2008 07:54 PM

first brought a Dragon fruit last week from Aldi for only 99p yes 99p brought because I loved the look of it unfortuantely was disappointed to find very limited on it's uses, have decided to grow some after reading the top of this page.

Posted by: Nix at July 27, 2008 11:33 AM

I just had a dragonfruit,and it was really good it got sweeter at the end of the fruit,i found it at publix

Posted by: Heather at July 27, 2008 07:20 PM

I love oddities and this fruit is one I saw it in Morrisons in Cromer Norfolk UK and spent 2 days finding out how to eat it.
I placed a spoonful of fruit and seed in a pot and hoped they would grow...there are 30 little cacti with 2 leaves and a central spike with tiny hairs. seeking how to care for the plant brought me to this site...are we talking about a 5 foot tall plant?

Posted by: MrBarrett at August 1, 2008 08:39 PM

hye.....im from malaysia......i love dragon fruit.........try evryone......

Posted by: am at August 2, 2008 02:21 PM

how can i get Dragon trees for crop

what is sorce for DRAGON TREES for import to implement.

please send me contact no.

Posted by: suresh at August 6, 2008 03:53 PM

love the tast

Posted by: emma at August 9, 2008 12:45 PM

just purchased the Dragon Fruit for the first time and will definatley attempt to grow some for myself and then can experiment with them, my children were so excited to try someting new, but were not to impressed with all the pips.

Posted by: JULIA TURNER at August 9, 2008 08:04 PM

I just bought one of these today and I was expecting a really bold flavour that matched it's exotic appearence.. I wasn't so happy with it's blandness. It tasted like a mild kiwi. Besides the lack of flavour, I liked it alot.

Posted by: Sam Behrman at August 22, 2008 12:30 AM

ate my first dragon last nite very pleasant taste -pricy but different to be enjoyed again soon and reading the history on it very interesting

Posted by: maggie at August 29, 2008 11:00 AM

i am gettig dragon fruit for the very first time, i hope very much it does not taste like mellon, as i hate mellons. love seed fruits though. This is my hope to get my blood sugar under control and heard this fruit has great benifits. well once my fruit has chilled,i will make my journey to try the dragon.

Posted by: Kare at August 30, 2008 02:29 AM

where can i buy the seeds of this fruit (dragon fruit) in the Philippines? please email me at dotbatsor@yahoo.com thanks!!

Posted by: Dorothy at August 30, 2008 02:39 PM

luv this fruit!!! my husband and I just tried it for the first time and itès really good... pretty sure it would taste wayyyyyy better off the fresh off the plant, but we definatly enjoyed it.

Posted by: tina at September 1, 2008 02:22 AM

i Just bought one and i am going to try it tomarrow

Posted by: john at September 1, 2008 09:21 PM

BLOODY EXPENSIVE AT £2 FOR A SINGLE BIT WEE FRUIT!

LOOKS FREAKY!!!

AND ITS TASTELESS!!!!!!

WONT BUY AGAIN........................

(and thats just my opinion peeps)

Posted by: spookyrooky at September 3, 2008 12:55 AM

My mother-in-law bought a house in Houston, and one of the "left-behinds" was an ugly looking cactus that created this huge bloom this year. We couldn't figure out what it was until I stumbled upon a picture on the internet. No fruit yet, but it's growing like crazy in Houston. We have started additional plants from cuttings.

Posted by: John at September 6, 2008 02:08 AM

We were just GIVEN 3 Dragon Fruit by our Hutterite friends who had purchased same but didn't know anything about them. THANKS for this wonderful SITE!! Will copy off info and send along to them, as well as enjoying same mySELF.
These fruits are the white center variety. Would love to try the "red/purple" variety if I can FIND them. Does anyone know WHERE I might locate same?? (Medicine Hat, CANADA)

Posted by: MaryTB at September 11, 2008 08:20 PM

I grew one last year and it has now started to send the roots out. It makes a great plant for the kitchen window ledge where it seems to thrive. I will be transplanting it into a bigger pot with sticks for it to climb on..

Posted by: Bazz at September 17, 2008 12:27 PM

Hi, I'm from SriLanka.I would like to know more information about Dragon fruit.I wish to grow it. Pls send me the details.

Posted by: thilini Madushika at September 18, 2008 09:48 AM

Hello,
Dragon fruit is grown very much in VietNam,We intent to bring it to US. Exporter in Viet Nam

Posted by: Allen Huang at September 29, 2008 09:28 AM

i tried dragon fruit for the first time this week after walking past the lovly display of them in the shop next to where i work, compared to tesco they are a bargain at 99p and i have now eaten 6 this week and have been telling all my friends how wonderful they are!
the shop i buy from is called stokes and its a greengrocers,

Posted by: tracey deacon at October 2, 2008 05:30 PM

I Must try growing read every single comment
and im very intruiged MUST try !!

Posted by: Matt at October 8, 2008 04:26 PM

Thanks, I bought it in Asda because they were selling it off for 10p and I thought, perfect opportunity to try it. It's when I try unusual products the most because if it's nasty tasting it's not such a loss! So I came on google to find out, just like everyone else how to eat it and what it tasted like. I didn't know this little fruit had such a popular reputation and such a following. I justwanted to say, thank you to greenhouse girl for all her hard work. It's made my life so much easier as all the knowledge I need is all in one place AND was the first thing that came up! So not only am I now not scared to try it, but I'm gonna save some seeds and try growing it too!

Posted by: Maria at October 10, 2008 10:17 AM

I'm from Malaysia and both my husband and I love dragon fruits but we only take the red flesh type cause it's a lot sweeter and more nutritious than the white one (although once a while you may get 1-2 outlier). Try to get the bigger ones >450g. From experience, they are tastier. Most of the red dragon fruits sold here are locally grown. Selling for Rm5-8/kilo (USD1.50-2.50/kilo - depending on the size some places rate the bigger ones are slightly more expensive per kilo)
Chill it and cut up in 4-6 slices (like cutting the oranges),peel off the skin and cut the flesh into smaller size (if desired). Relax in front of the tv and slowly enjoy the fruit...very refreshing :)
Don't be alarmed if your urine shows a little "red" after you eat quite a bit of the red dragon fruit. That's normal.

Posted by: SK at October 11, 2008 08:10 AM

My husband bought me a dragon fruit plant for Mother's Day. It finally bloomed in early September. Gorgeous flower. Anyhow...I believe it was able to get pollinated and now it has, what I think is a fruit, but I am not sure when it is ripe enough to pick. It is not quite the vibrant pink in photos I have see, yet. Also when I do pick the fruit, how is the best way in hopes of not damaging the plant?

Newbie dragonfruit grower!!!

Posted by: Nikke at October 12, 2008 03:27 PM

i was just wondering if u knew who decoverd the dragon fruit and wether it is atable and i was also wondering where the dragonfruit can be growen as a house plant and if so where would i get one so that i can grow it?

thanks for ur time

savannah

Posted by: savannah at October 25, 2008 04:00 AM

"where to find a dragon fruit"..aisle 6 at tesco :D

Posted by: guy at October 26, 2008 03:26 PM

The dragon fruit is an ordinary nutritious fruit that is common to most people these days, though I dont get it why some people freak out at the seeds and white/red flesh??//.. Just cut them up and bite.=P Job done...I suggest after trying this, get your hands on Rambutan, Jackfruit, Passion Fruit, Lychee, Star fruit, Mangosteen, Kumquat, and Durian which I have been eating since a kid till today...(staying at S.E.Asia and all). Anyways the only thing left on my list of fruits-2-eat is the african cucumber and talking about cucumber, i have to yet to eat sea cucumbers...=@

Posted by: -SarV- at November 10, 2008 06:23 AM

I also interested in cultivation of dragon fruit in Sri lanka.I have 12 ackers or more in north west region( dry zone) for cultivation and looking for a partner to start growing of dragon fruit

Posted by: DAMITHA at November 13, 2008 11:27 AM

Tiger would you please send me the instructions for growing these fruits. I bought two plants this summer in North Carolina. I have air roots everywhere. do i take them off or what. I have one plant that is spreading all over the place. I have broke off some shoots by accident and they grow very well. I put them inside for the winter as a result of living in Virginia. I look forward to getting fruit to eat. I have never tasted one.
Any advice will be be greatly appreciated
Virginia M.

Posted by: virginia at November 13, 2008 06:53 PM

i`m very interested in yellow dragon fruit.how can i get the cuttings? i live in Cambodia. please kindly tell me. where is the farm of yellow dragon fruit near cambodia?

Posted by: sina at November 27, 2008 09:35 AM

The fruits are really good if u know how
to choose a fresh one, my experience is:

shd be - round type if (inside white fruit)
- the leaves in green but with slight
yellowish all round the green!

I m taking one daily bcos in S'pore they are
so cheap, normal prc at 70 cts each.

Enjoy fruitings.

Posted by: ongkohua at January 2, 2009 03:13 AM

We grow the red centre one in Australia. Their flavour is mouth watering. When we take a cutting we throw it on the concrete in the shade for a month and let it devolop roots before we plant them. They seem to grow faster and stronger this way. One two year old plant from a large cutting had over sixty fruit this year.

Posted by: Kel at January 17, 2009 05:36 AM

Hi Dear Sri lankans , If any body knows that we can cultivait Dragon fruits in kandy area or not. becoase i have a suspition about groving dragon fruit in up cuntry. Mey be its not groving, mey bo will not get good result of fruits. if any body has knowlege about this please send me some notes. sugath219@yahoo.com
Thank you

Posted by: sugath at January 19, 2009 02:34 PM

Well, I went into tesco's today and saw the exact same thing. I was buying fruit to make fruit salad when I came across it. Strange little thing, isn't it?! Anyway, I didn't but because
1) I don't know how it tasted and
2) I didn't know how to prepare it.
But now I do! It's amazing how many people you can help without knowing ;)

Posted by: Deanna at January 20, 2009 05:59 PM

i tried dragon fruit today...was really disapointed....it just taste like tasteless kiwi...that best way of describing it :(

Posted by: shazza at January 24, 2009 08:34 PM

I'am very interested in dragon fruit.so i want get all information.Can you kindly send me the informations.

Posted by: sandaruwan at February 2, 2009 10:39 AM

I saw this fruit in Asda, Stafford, UK today GBP 1.50. Bought one to try, then found this webpage from Google. When I saw the pictures, I realise I ate this fruit in Singapore 2006 but did not know what it was. Now looking forward to slicing it open and eat in fruit salad.

Posted by: JoMo at February 21, 2009 11:57 AM

I.m about to start a small plantation with 400 plants in Kaluthara area. All comments from experienced growers are most welcome and could somebody advice me on a reliable supplier of plants at a reasonable price.

Posted by: Laksiri at February 27, 2009 12:37 PM

Tried my first Dragon fruit about two weeks ago. I found it quite tasty and sweet and will definately buy it again.

I planted some of the seeds just five days ago in a clear plastic grape box. I used a multi-purpose compost and placed it on a sunny (or as sunny as its been during March in Hertfordshire GB) window sill with the lid on. When I went to close the curtains this evening the surface of the compost was covered in lots of tiny seedlings. Thats how I came to this site, to obtain more information on growing on my baby dragons. So if all goes well it looks like I could well be enjoying my homegrown fruits around the end of September. Can,t wait!

Thanks for all the useful information provided by everyone. A very informative and useful site.

Posted by: Anne at March 11, 2009 10:19 PM

I 'm interesting to cultivate dragon fruits in Sri Lanka. Can you kindly send me more information.
Thanx

Posted by: Subhashini at March 13, 2009 07:26 AM

i buyed 1 from tesco thier verry sweet .it tastes wierd never tried 1 befor its got millions of seeds in it .really slimy

Posted by: peter at April 10, 2009 07:20 PM

Hi I m planning to start growing this fruit in a big scale n looking for investors to start of in Malaysia. If u have any one whom is willing to do the investment please contact me at aeswarii@gmail.com i hv attend training on growing this fruit at Vietnam. Now m planing to do onmy own.

Posted by: Aeswarii at April 21, 2009 04:09 PM

i have just borght a dragen fruit i was realy exsighted to see what it looked like and most of all tasted like i cut it in half and stared at the guwey mixture inside it looked rather discusting but i thorght i would give it a try i cut 1 of the halfs in to 4 peaces i took one of them and bit into it,it was kinda like a kewi or a melon not wat i was exsepcting at all anyway i wouldn't go out of my way to buy one again because it wasn't the bet fruit in the world i still love my favorite strawberrys yummy x

Posted by: Rebecca at May 2, 2009 04:06 PM

hi,
i am interested in dragon fruits, so i hv bear land to cultivate, so some one help me to start this
i am in Sri Lanaka,send me all the informations,
thanks
kish

Posted by: kisho gunasekara at May 5, 2009 03:21 PM

i have never ever had it but i want to try it sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo badly.

Posted by: shelby king at May 14, 2009 02:30 AM

My son bought us a dragon fruit 2 years ago, not a lot of taste, I sowed a few seeds and now Its taking over our conseratary.Its a good 8 foot wide and about the same high, so beware these things are massive.

Posted by: David at May 22, 2009 03:29 PM

just had it, bought it from Asdas £1.58. it is a cross between a Kiwi fruit and a melon, bland taste at fist but with a slight sweetness. over all nice to say ive tasted it but to expensive to buy on a regular basis.

Posted by: Justin at May 23, 2009 04:31 PM

I'd like to know that how to cultivate Dragon fruits?
Please send me some details about it.
I'm going to introduce it to my villagers.

Posted by: Roshan at June 1, 2009 09:32 AM

dragon fruits is weired to see and you be think can be eaten and not delicious but when time i taste is not sweet and the taste is like an apple for me but hte important base on my reasearch is good in our health cause no clories and with vitamins c and other good benefits in our healh but is sad for me im from the philippines i dont kwon were can i buy it a dragon fruits,i think is that the solution to be a sexy and to help me for diet.

Posted by: sweet at June 6, 2009 04:25 AM

Bland? Okay, the one with the white pulp can be a bit bland, especially if it's not ripe yet.

However, the "red" pulp kind, which is more of a bright/neon magenta, has a much more enjoyable flavor.

Posted by: Anonymous at June 11, 2009 08:50 AM

I had Dragon fruit the first time on a trip to China. I saw it at the hotel buffet breakfast and loved it! When I came home I saw it once....$8 per pound. So I decoded to try to grow it myself. I bought 2 cuttings on eBay 8 months ago....lost one that I planted in ground to an unseasonal hard frost. The other is doing fine, now 8 inches tall with numerous new shoots. I'm moving it today from the 4 inch pot into the larger pot I intend it to stay in. Other websites advise wrapping the post/plantstake/support with burlap so you can soak it with water soluble fertilizer to feed the aerial roots, so I'm going to try that. I was worried about which type of soil to use, but from all the postings I've seen getting the perfect soil mix doesn't seem all that important....just so long as it's not the local sticky red clay. Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted on how my garden grows. Thanks for all your info. Thelma from Sacramento, California.

Posted by: Thelma at June 14, 2009 07:25 PM

Bought my dragon fruit in Lidl - only 79p - haven't tried it yet, it looks great in the fruit bowl but judging by the comments will be a disappointing taste.

Posted by: Rosemary at June 18, 2009 09:13 AM

Hi. I bought one from asda yesterday, and was wondering how to eat it :). Thanks mate.

Posted by: kazz at June 20, 2009 09:41 AM

hello all
my father have Dragon fruit farm in Thailand
if you are interesting in dragon fruit
you can contact me via Kratair42@hotmail.com

Posted by: Kratair42@hotmail.com at June 30, 2009 09:48 AM

Hello,
This is the dragon fruit season in Kandy .Enjoy your fruit.

Posted by: Amila at July 3, 2009 10:34 AM

got one in lidls yesterday for 79p yummy

Posted by: sylvia at July 3, 2009 05:56 PM

We have Dragon Fruits round the year in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. If you are coming to Kuching for holiday, please contact me at tuntanny@gmail.com and we can have a dragon fruits meal. Everyday I am taking 1 to 2 fruits.

Posted by: Tanny at July 10, 2009 02:56 PM


Please Let me know about the possibility to grow dragon fruit in sri lanka.

Posted by: sanjeewa at July 23, 2009 05:18 PM

Today I sold dragon fruits at my father farm .they are about 3 ton .
very tired.
if you come to North Eastern of Thailand.
you can visit my father farm in Loei Province.
welcome :)

Posted by: Kratair at July 30, 2009 03:12 PM

Never seen a Dragon Fruit before today when I bought one for £1.79 in Sainsburys. Expected it too be much sweeter than it is. In fact it didn't have much of a flavour at all, but thought it similar to Kiwi. I wonder if I could freeze the shell to put ice cream or sorbet in?

Posted by: Barbara at August 5, 2009 06:32 PM

Whilst in Leeds Market on Tues 4th August, saw Dragon Fruits for sale 2 for £1. As I did not know anything about them I did not buy any.
However next time I shall try them & also give a shot at gtowing the seeds.

Posted by: Irene at August 9, 2009 02:26 AM

Hello,
Is there any one who knows about a traditional flower & vegetable cultivation in Kadugannawa area? You will remember it with the uniqueness of that hidden village.
Information on small scale (20 plants) Dragon fruit cultivators in Central region are also welcome.tourismd6@gmail.com

Posted by: Chinthani Herath at August 14, 2009 09:15 AM

Hi,

I like to cultivate dragon fruits. can you help me? and give me instructions for that.

Posted by: gaya at August 25, 2009 06:22 AM

I live in Hawaii and dragon fruit - yellow and red are available at almost any market for $3-5. My friend gave me cuttings of both and I put them in a container with well mixed soil, sand and compost.
At first the red one appeared to wither and the edges turned grey. About 3 months later I noticed a small stem (?) cominf from a node about 2/3 up. It grows at a rate of about 1 cm every day or so. The yellow is thinner than the red plant, chich has sections of about 10-18 inches; the yellow about 6 inches.
I probably eater them more than I should, but they are amongst the eggplants and beans. It gets about 92 here at the hottest and coldest about 52.
They are only 7 months old and the red is over 8 feet and the yellow is about 4 feet, but has branched significantly.
The plants are available here at many nurseries.
Google for exotic Hawaiian plants.

Posted by: Kirk at August 28, 2009 06:45 AM

We can supply planting materials for dragon fruit in Sri Lanka & abroad. Contact us.


Dragon Matrix
No. 327, “Damsewana”,
Kotawila, Kamburugamuwa,
Matara, Sri Lanka.
Phone / Fax : +94 41 490798
Mobile : +94 71 5738825
Email : diaclone@sltnet.lk
riflekingdom@gmail.com

Posted by: WRP Dissanayake at October 11, 2009 02:23 PM

I purchased this exotic fruit at asda... i was intrigued as never tried it before.... it was interesting! dont know if i would pay the exotic price tag again for such a bland fruit - but when i host my next dinner party i would consider using the outer shell to contain a fruit salad for desert! as it looks amazing

Posted by: richelle at October 12, 2009 09:25 AM

MY DAUGHTER JUST CAME IN FROM SCHOOL WHERE ANOTHER PUPIL HAD DRAGON FRUIT IN HIS LUNCH BOX SHE SAYS IT WAS LUSH LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SHOPPING TRIP GOING TO TRY THIS FRUIT. THIS WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THIS FRUIT THANKS WELL DONE

Posted by: CHRISTOPHER at December 2, 2009 06:05 PM

Vietnamese dragon fruit tastes good, looks good, nutritious, and available year round.
I just wonder why big companies like Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. and Chiquita Brands International Inc.
are not bringing this great fruit to Americans & people of the world like they did with banana.

Posted by: Vincent at December 8, 2009 05:55 PM

hi, ive read all your coments on dragon fruit and they sound great, i live in spain and have not tryed it yet, which is not good cos its my dad that started to import the fruit in to the uk last year. i only hope you all keep enjoying it,so dad (michael dodds) can keep importing it and make a good living out of it. will try it when i come back for a visit next year. keep buying it.

Posted by: kevin at December 9, 2009 10:10 PM

Hi Dragon friut is good for people who have diabeties it is a medicine plant that what i have read over the net.

Posted by: bosco at February 6, 2010 04:27 AM

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