Dragon fruit, also known as red pitaya or strawberry pear, is a common sight in regular fruit markets or supermarkets. Dragon fruit is not only delicious but also rich in pulp fiber and vitamins, making it a healthy food loved by many. So, how do we choose the dragon fruit with the best taste?
1. Look at the color
The redder the surface of the dragon fruit, the riper it is. The green parts should be vibrant; if they are withered and yellow, it means the dragon fruit is not fresh.
2. Feel the weight
When selecting a dragon fruit, lift and compare several of them. Choose the heaviest one, as it will be juicier with fuller pulp and taste very delicious.
3. Look at the shape
Choose a plump and shorter dragon fruit, not a thin and long one. The latter is less sweet, has less moisture, and doesn't taste as good.
4. Check the ripeness
Don't pick one that is overripe or too unripe, as neither will be tasty. You can gently squeeze and press it. If it's very soft, it's overripe. If it's very hard and doesn't press in, it's still too raw. It's best to choose one that is moderately firm.
5. Touch the skin
When picking a dragon fruit, the smoother its skin, the fresher it is, and the tastier the flesh will be.
6. Check the base
Before selecting a dragon fruit, carefully inspect its base for any rot. A fresh and delicious dragon fruit should not have a rotten base. Now, dragon fruits on the market are divided into red-fleshed and white-fleshed varieties, with the red-fleshed having a better taste. Red-fleshed dragon fruits are more round, while white-fleshed ones are more oval. Red-fleshed dragon fruits have a higher content of anthocyanin, which gives them stronger antioxidant, free radical-scavenging, and anti-aging effects.
To pick a fresh and delicious dragon fruit, everyone must pay attention to the above food selection techniques in their daily lives. This is because some foods are very nutritious, but once they become stale or have a poor texture, people's affection for them can be greatly diminished.