Pitaya

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Pitaya.jpg Image:Pitaya bonsai.jpg The pitaya, also known as pitahaya, dragonfruit or strawberry pear is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, these vine-like cacti are also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, South Vietnam, and the southeast coast of China. They are also found in Taiwan.

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Fruit

The fruit comes in three types all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:

Hylocereus undatus, white flesh with pink skin
Hylocereus polyrhizus, red flesh with pink skin
Selenicereus megalanthus, white flesh with yellow skin

The flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories. The flavor is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit. The fruit may be converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Sesame seed-sized seeds are embedded throughout the flesh. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible.

The red flesh variety is believed to be rich in antioxidants.

The bonsai version of pitaya plants can be found in flower markets in Taiwan.

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