The Forgotten Fruit

I was looking for blogs with recipes because of a school project on ‘forgotten fruits' and their health benefits and stumbled upon Sharon Simms blog ‘Why Don't Drinks Want Me'? Sharon's blog was short, sweet, and crisp. In essence, I thought the blog was so cute and decided to post a ‘healthy' comment. It is also good to break away from blogging about business and once in a while write something different, even if it's about a healthy, forgotten fruit and its nutritive values.

Here it goes...(especially for the health enthusiasts)

...also known as the Pitaya, fire dragon fruit, pearl fruit, strawberry pear, hanetti kafruit, thanh long, (my goodness!).

Its origin is Mexico, S. and N. America, and thrives in countries such as Asia, Israel, Australia, and China. It comes from the cactaceae family and its large white fragrant flowers can be eaten, even steeped as a tea.

It adapts in dry tropical climates with rain moderation.

There are three varieties: Yellow, (mainly from Costa Rica), red and white.

The red variety has a mild sweet taste while the white has a citrus flavor. It has a creamy pulp, a delicate aroma, the consistency of a melon, is slightly creamy and is better eaten chilled (improves flavor).
Hmmmmmm...

The dragon fruit is considered an exotic fruit. It enhances other tropical fruits' flavors when combined in a fruit salad. It is speckled with black seeds and is akin to the kiwi fruit due mainly to the crunchy seeds.

It is known to be the world's greatest laxative. Also, its nutritive constituents such as phytochemicals. It is also rich in Vitamins, especially Vitamin C, rich in fiber and minerals, more so phosphorus and calcium.

The dragon fruit is highly valued for their antioxidant properties, among them phytoalbumins.

An obese person can naturally reduce their weight eating the fruit and can help reduce diabetes, enhance metabolism (protein), improve digestion and reduce fat, (fiber), improve memory and help maintain the health of the eyes (carotene), tissue development (phosphorus), help to metabolize carbohydrates and produce energy (Vitamin B1), improve appetite (Vitamin B2), moisturize, smoothen skin and decrease LDL (Vitamin B3), improves the immune system and promotes healing of cuts and bruises (Vitamin C).

The best recipes to make of this fruit is to chill the fruit and scoop the pulp, combine with other tropical, exotic fruits for a 'sexy' salad, (great for parties and/or Open Houses, or make a slushy by adding water and organic sugar.

http://biolife.wordpress.com/2007/10/09/why-dragon-fruit/

http://glutenfree-journey.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html

I chose this fruit today by walking in the produce section of the grocery store thinking, alkaline - antioxidants - flavonoids - then the dragon fruit was saying, pssst! Pick Me!' I immediately thought about Sharon's lonely carambola (star fruit). I brought the dragon fruit home at the cost of $4.59. I am wondering why this fruit is so expensive. The size is similar to a small mango.

This six month old Amercian Beauty has latched into a column on the balcony of Sy Baskin's 26th floor in the Brickell Avenue Condominiums overlooking Biscayne Bay. Sy is an accomplished grower of container fruit trees. He also has a thouroughbred named Ocean Drive.

Try a Dragontini

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of top shelf Vodka
• 2 Tbsp of sugar
• 1/2 Zamorano
• Garnish with dragon fruit wedge for contrast
• Cheers!

You Tube Video

Cape Tribulation: An Exotic Fruit Farm

The information on the health benefits written where adapted from blogsites (see above) and should not be considered nutritional advise. Please consult with a physician before beginning a health regime or diet.

©2008 Diana Perez