Päpipi pua

Hylocereus undatus
Common Name – Dragon Fruit or Pitaya
Hawaiian Name – Päpipi pua

Dragonfruit

Delicious and distinctive Dragon Fruit is a crowdpleaser at farmer’s markets in Hawai’i. The unique fire ball shape and the vibrant color beg you to give this unique fruit a try.

Dragon fruit is a climbing cactus that puts out long spiny stems. The plant produces large fragrant flowers that bloom only at night.

The fruit is considered the strawberry of the cactus. The fruit is distinctive for its vibrant magenta outer skin. The edible inner fruit can be white or red with prominent edible seeds. Similar in appearance and taste to the kiwi, Dragon Fruit is mildly sweet.

Kalopa Makai Farm cultivates both the white fruit and red fruit varieties for market.

Harvest Period

Year round availability. Harvest periods vary

How does it grow?

Dragonfruit are in the cactus family. The plants can grow quite large with many “branches” that grow out towards the ground. The fruit grows at the end of each branch.

Preparation?

Dragon Fruit is easy to prepare and eat. Simply slice the fruit in half and spoon out the fruit. You can save the outer skin to use as a bowl. You can also cut the fruit into quarters and peel off the outer skin.

Usage Suggestions

The fruit is wonderful chilled or room temperature. You can blend into smoothies, sprinkle on top of salads, slice up and use in sangria or us for a tropical fruit salad

Storage and Selection

To choose a ripe dragon fruit, look for bright, even-colored skin. A few blemishes on the skin are normal, but if the fruit has a lot of blotches, it may be over-ripe.

Hold the dragon fruit in your palm and try pressing the skin with your thumb or fingers. It should give a little, but shouldn’t be too soft or mushy. If it’s very firm, it will need to ripen for a few days.

Fruits can be stored in perforated plastic bags for 25–30 days at 40°F, but they will last less than 10 days at room temperature. Sensitive to chill injury so do not store below 40°F

Kalopa Makai Dragonfruit Salad

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Dragon Fruit Salad

Delicious tropical fruit salad featuring Dragon Fruit 

Ingredients

  • 1 Dragon fruit cubed or balled
  • 1 Satsuma or Mandarin Orange sectioned
  • 1/2 cup Blackberries or Raspberries
  • 2 Tbsp Tahitian Lime Juice
  • 1 Starfruit sliced
  • Mint Leaves garnish

Instructions

  1. Add all fruit in large bowl. Pour lime juice over fruit and toss until combined.

  2. Garnish with mint leaves and serve chilled

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