Q&A for How to Tell if a Dragon Fruit Is Ripe

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  • Question
    What time of year should you eat a dragon fruit?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Dragon fruit harvest is generally mid summer through early fall.
  • Question
    When should I harvest dragon fruit?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Harvest your dragon fruit when the wings on the sides of the fruit begin to fade in color.
  • Question
    Is it bad if a dragon fruit leaks juice?
    Community Answer
    If your dragon fruit it leaking juice it likely means that the skin was damaged at some point during handling and transportation. As a result the interior of the fruit may not be as juicy as normal and the fruit may be dried out. Avoid fruits that are leaking when at the grocery store or market.
  • Question
    Is a store-bought dragon fruit going to go bad faster?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the handling and transportation conditions the dragon fruit has gone through during its process to arrive at the store. Then, the conditions depend on the care the dragon fruit gets inside the store.
  • Question
    How do I tell if it is white or red-fleshed inside the fruit without cutting the fruit in half?
    Community Answer
    The white flesh with red exterior is round. The red flesh with red exterior is oval-shaped. There's also a white flesh with yellow exterior, which is oval-shaped.
  • Question
    My dragon fruit is already red, and the flower is still attached. Should I harvest it or wait for the flower to detach from the fruit?
    Community Answer
    Check to see if the flower is dead; it just might be hanging on. If the flower falls off after a light tap or pull, then you'll need to see if the fruit is ripe.
  • Question
    My dragon fruit that I bought from the store tastes sour, is it under or overripe?
    Community Answer
    It's under ripe. Try to wait a little longer before cutting the dragon fruit next time.
  • Question
    How do I peel a dragon fruit? How is it prepared?
    Community Answer
    Cut the dragon fruit (any way, it should be easy) and remove the skin. The skin is very easily removed and should not tear.
  • Question
    My dragon fruit flowered almost 7 weeks ago, but the fruit is still green. It is now very cool outside. Will the fruit spoil?
    Community Answer
    Unlikely to spoil, it may just take longer for them to ripen. And you should wait for them to ripen as dragon fruit can struggle to ripen once removed.
  • Question
    Can I keep dragon fruit in the fridge?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. You can even freeze the fruit to make sorbets, ice creams, etc. As well, it's often found in seasonal smoothies.
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