How To Properly Cut A Dragon Fruit

Making a refreshing fruit salad for dinner and thinking of including dragon fruit to the mix? You need to first gather some basic kitchen tools to prepare them.

This will help ensure the process goes smoothly. So, here is what you’ll need:

• Knife: A sharp kitchen knife is ideal to slice through the tough skin of the dragon fruit easily. But be careful while using it.
• Cutting board: Next, you need a sturdy prep board. This is to provide a stable surface to safely cut any produce.
• Spoon: Use it as a scooping tool! This makes easy for you to remove the flesh after you slice the fruit.
• Plate: After cutting the fruit to your liking, you'll want a clean plate to serve it on. You can also use it to catch any juices while cutting.

You finally bought those fresh dragon fruit you've been eyeing for days. And now you're ready to eat it. Whatever method you pick, you'll first need to get rid of its leathery outer skin.

After that, you will have the tasty flesh, which you can chop into your chosen shape and revel in.

1. Remove the Ends

Take your cutting board and a sharp knife. Then, grab your dragon fruit and cut off about half an inch to an inch from each end.

Remember, you only need to remove enough of the pink or red skin to reveal the white center of the fruit. You don't want to cut away too much of the inside.

2. Score the Fruit Lengthwise

For the next step, start by holding the fruit with one hand and the knife with the other. Now, gently make vertical cuts along the fruit from cut end to cut end. Make a single long slice.

Be careful here, as the knife should be inserted just deep enough to reach the white inside, and no further.

This way, you create an opening in the skin without cutting the fruit in half.

3. Pull the Skin

Now, hold the exotic fruit with your hands and get a good grip. The scored side should face up.

Slip your thumb into the seam and gently pull the sides apart. Continue this process around the fruit to reveal the white flesh. Keep it clean and smooth!

Here's a little secret: If you have a perfectly ripe fruit, the skin might just come off in one piece. How satisfying is that? The ripeness is key here. So be sure to pick your dragon fruit wisely.

Now that you have freed the white edible inside from the skin, enjoy it the way you like.

Among so many techniques of cutting and slicing, this fruit cut in all these slices can be used for different purposes. Here are some of the popular cutting techniques for dragon fruit:

1. Half Moons

Dragon fruit looks best in round shapes or pieces cut into a half-moon shape. That beautiful color gives an eye-catching appearance.

1. First rinse the fruit under clean, running water to clean if any dirt is present. Pat with a clean towel, so it will be easy to handle.
2. The next process is to put the dragon fruit on a stable chopping board. First of all, the two ends of the fruit should be trimmed off using a sharp knife.
3. At this stage, you can choose whether to peel or leave the skin on. If you want neat slices, make shallow cuts by drawing your knife downward, parallel to the skin. Then, pull the strips to remove the skin.
4. After peeling, place the fruit horizontally. Cut it in circular halves (¼ to ½ inch thick).
5. Finally, take each round slice and cut it in half.

2. Wedges

Opt for wedges, if you are making a tropical fruit platter. Of course, serve them with the beautiful skin intact, so others can enjoy peeling it themselves.

1. Firstly, rinse the fruit to clean the skin.
2. Cut the dragon fruit lengthwise down the middle. Then you will have two halves to work with.
3. Slice each half into smaller wedges. Think of it like cutting a melon.
4. Leave the skin on for a colorful presentation. If not, you can easily peel off the skin from the wedges and serve it clean.

3. Cubes

In this shape, it’s easier to consume the fruit in salads, side dishes, or any meal where using small neat portions is desirable.

1. First things first, you need to peel the fruit.
2. You can follow the steps mentioned above, or simply cut it in half and use a spoon to scoop out the entire half flesh from the skin.
3. Place the scooped-out flesh on the cutting board and cut it into even slices about ½ inch thick.
4. Next, you need to turn the slices and chop them in the opposite direction.
5. This will form a cube shape. You can definitely adjust the size to your preference.

4. Square Dice

Everyone’s favorite, cutting it into this shape is a little trickier. But don’t worry, it’s simple if you follow these steps:

1. Start by cutting straight down on all sides of the fruit. This removes the peel and forms a square block.
2. Lay the square block on a cutting board and slice it evenly into slabs. ½ inch thick should be fine, or you can cut them to the size you want.
3. Next is to stack a few slabs, and cut them into straight, french-fry-like sticks. Aim for equal thickness for uniform cubes.
4. Lastly, turn the sticks and cut them into even-sized cubes.

Note: You do not want to throw away the trimmed pieces. Save them for snacking or smoothies. This way, you won’t feel bad about snipping off the ends.

5. Spheres

Cutting the fruit in round balls is fun and creative process that adds a playful touch to your dishes! It is visually appealing and perfect for salads, dessert, or garnishes.

1. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board and carefully slice it in half lengthwise.
2. Using a small melon baller, gently scoop out the flesh from each half.
3. Just twist the melon baller as you scoop to create perfect round marble shapes.

• Sharp Knife: Using a sharp, straight-edged blade to cut the fruit makes it easy to cut the fruit. Clean, no-fuss cut!
• Choosing the shape: You should decide how to cut the dragon fruit based on the recipe. For instance, cubes are great for salads, while slices are perfect for topping an acai bowl.
• Store correctly: Wrap whole, unpeeled fruit in plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you have already cut it, put in a tightly covered box for 3-4 days. Keep the paper towel at the bottom.
• Select right fruit: To achieve the best taste and texture, the dragon fruit should be ripe. The unripe one is generally tasteless. Also, look for the proper shape to suit your recipe.
• Reserve the shell: The outer skin of the fruit, which you might be about to throw away, can be saved for plating. It’s perfect for displaying the fruit chunks. Use the shell as a cup to hold them.
• Freeze: You heard it right! You can freeze dragon fruit if you want it to store for a longer period. Peeled fruit cut into any shape can be frozen for around 3 months. When you thaw, it might become mushy, but it’s perfect for blending into smoothies or juice.

It can be tough sometimes to figure out the perfect fruit, especially when it comes to this exotic one with its vibrant colors and unique appearance.

Many of us find that ripe and unripe dragon fruit looks somewhat similar. That’s why here are some tips to help you select the perfect one.

1. Color

If you notice you will see ripe dragon fruit has its skin equally colored and shiny. Depending on the variety, this may be pink, yellow, or red.

If the skin of dragon fruits is anything other than shiny and smooth, with brown or blackish spots then the fruit might be over-ripe or spoiled.

2. Texture

This fruit has a pleasant smooth and leathery skin. Lightly tap it with the dorsal surface of your fingers. It should give, not much, but enough like an avocado fruit or a peach.

If you find it hard then it means the fruit is still very green. If it feels mushy or very soft, it may be overripe.

And avoid if it has wrinkles. This indicates that the fruit is shrinking and likely getting spoiled.

3. Scales

The tips of the scales (those leafy extensions) should be green and fresh. If the fruit looks dry, has brown discoloration, or seems shriveled, it’s possibly not as juicy as it once was.

When you press down on the scales they must have a mild bend to them. But they should not be overly soft or flopping down.

4. Stem

Look for a dragon fruit with a firm and dry stem end. If the stem is mushy or leaking any liquid, the fruit might be overripe.

The area around the stem should also contain the same bright color as the rest of the fruit’s skin. If the skin around the stem looks more green or pale, the fruit is not yet fully ripe.

5. Weight

To know the ripeness of the fruit you need to hold the fruit and feel that it is heavy for its size, otherwise, the fruit is not juicy and has a less fleshy part.

Fresh Slices

It's the simplest and easiest way to enjoy this unique fruit! Simply cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with the help of a spoon. Cut it into your desired shape and eat it fresh.

Smoothies

We cannot forget this! Dragon fruit makes the best smoothie, and you can combine it with any other fruit as well. Just invest a few minutes, and a refreshing drink will be ready.

Blend some dragon fruit chunks, yogurt, and milk, along with a banana or berries.

Fruit Salad

Chop dragon fruit and mix it with other fruits like mango, kiwi, and pineapple. This way you add color and sweetness to your salad.

Dessert Bowl

Did you save some dragon fruit cubes? If so, you will be glad! Serve those cubes in a bowl with a drizzle of honey or agave syrup. Lastly, sprinkle some nuts or granola on top for added crunch.