How to peel yellow dragon fruit

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a delicious fruit that's brightly colored and tastes sweet. To eat your fresh dragon fruit, there are a couple ways to remove the skin. You can cut the dragon fruit lengthwise into sections before peeling the skin off using your fingers, or you can scoop the flesh out using a spoon. Make sure all of the skin is off of the dragon fruit before enjoying it!

1. 1

   Cut off both ends of the dragon fruit using a sharp knife. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board and chop off each end carefully. Hold the fruit in place to make sure it doesn’t move, and slice off enough of each end so that you cut into the pulp.[1] X Research source Go to source

   • If you’ve chopped off an end and you can’t see the pulp, you need to cut off a little more.

2. 2

   Create a cut along the length of the skin to keep the fruit whole. If you want your dragon fruit peeled but not cut in half, make a shallow cut lengthwise down the skin. You want the cut to go all the way through the skin and lightly touch the pulp.[2] X Research source Go to source

   • If you choose this method, it may take more effort to begin the peeling process, as your finger will have to wedge itself into the cut in the skin.

3. 3

   Slice the dragon fruit in half for an easy peeling process. Hold the dragon fruit steady and cut into it lengthwise. Cut each half of the dragon fruit in half again, creating 4 sections, if desired.[3] X Research source Go to source

   • It’s easier to peel the dragon fruit when it’s in smaller wedges.

4. 4

   Peel the skin off slowly using your fingers. Situate your thumb in between the flesh and the skin if you cut the dragon fruit in half, or in the lengthwise cut you formed in the skin if you’re keeping the fruit whole. Use your fingers to start pulling off the skin slowly, moving your way along the dragon fruit.[4] X Research source Go to source

   • Pull away from the dragon fruit to make the process easier.

5. 5

   Remove any excess skin using a sharp knife. If you’ve finished peeling off the skin and there are still remnants of it left, use a knife to remove these parts. Now your dragon fruit is ready to be eaten![5] X Research source Go to source

   • While it's debated as to whether dragon fruit skin is edible or not, most people agree you shouldn't eat the peel.
   • Cut the dragon fruit into slices or cubes, or keep it whole to do with as you please.
   • Store the dragon fruit in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

1. 1

   Slice the dragon fruit in half lengthwise. Place the dragon fruit on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it in half. If the dragon fruit is ripe, it will cut easily. Hold it firmly with one hand to ensure an even cut.[6] X Research source Go to source

   • When a dragon fruit is ripe, the skin turns a reddish pink color that’s even in tone, and it’s often softer.

2. 2

   Use a spoon to scoop the pulp out of the dragon fruit. Hold one half of the dragon fruit in one hand, using the other to dig a spoon into the flesh and scrape it out. A large spoon works well to scoop out the first large clumps, while a smaller spoon will help you remove the flesh from the skin.[7] X Research source Go to source

   • You can also use a scooper to produce perfectly round balls.

3. 3

   Place the pulp in a clean bowl. Each time you scoop out a piece of flesh, place it in a bowl big enough to hold all of the dragon fruit. You can transfer the dragon fruit to something else, such as onto a plate or into a recipe, later on. The bowl will keep the dragon fruit from getting dirty once it’s been de-skinned.[8] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Remove any skin still attached to the dragon fruit. If you notice patches of skin still attached to the flesh after you’ve scooped it out, you’ll need to trim them off. Use a knife to cut off any small pieces of skin so that the dragon fruit is edible.[9] X Research source Go to source

   • The skin of a dragon fruit shouldn’t be eaten.

5. 5

   Eat your pieces of dragon fruit or use them in a recipe. Dragon fruit shaped in little round balls from a scooper goes great in a fruit salad, or you can snack on your dragon fruit plain as it is. If you scooped out large sections at once, consider using a knife to cut them into smaller pieces.[10] X Research source Go to source

   • Place the dragon fruit in the fridge for 1-2 days if there’s any left over. Put it in a sealed container or plastic bag to keep it as fresh as possible.

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Plastic container or plastic bag
• Spoon (optional)
• Bowl (optional)

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Updated: September 9, 2021

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Categories: Fruits and Vegetables

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Pitaya! Dragon Fruit! Whatever you call it, this tropical fruit can be mysterious. Let’s take a look at how to cut dragon fruit, and how to eat dragon fruit. We’ll also go over dragon taste, fruit varieties, and nutrition and benefits. 

At the local farmers market last week I noticed the most beautiful tropical fruit display. As usual, I picked up some avocados, passion fruit and dragon fruit for the kids. 

While you’re here, you might also be interested in How to Cut a Pineapple, Papaya, How to Eat a Kumquat, and How to Perfectly Cut an Avocado. Check out all our favorite Exotic Fruits here! 

What is Pitaya Fruit? 

Dragon fruit has a soft dragon-like spikes on the outside, and soft, juicy fruit with seeds on the inside. It grows on a climbing cactus called hylocereus, that grows in tropical climates. 

Indigenous to Central America, pitaya has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. It’s now available all over the world, and easier than ever to find, as it is sold fresh, frozen, and even in powdered form. It’s referred to by several names including strawberry pear, dragon fruit, and pitaya. 

Pitaya (dragon fruit) display at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market.

What Does Dragon Fruit Taste Like? 

Dragon fruit has a very mild flavor that has been described as a tropical pear. It has a soft, sweet, yet crunchy (because of the seeds) interior, which is reminiscent of kiwi. Different varieties of dragon fruit taste different. My favorite is yellow dragon fruit, which I find to be sweeter and more flavorful. 

Types of Dragon Fruit

There are several varieties of dragon fruit, and you may not know what’s inside until you cut one open. Let’s look at the most common varieties. 

Red Dragon Fruit 

Dragon fruit (pitaya) with red skin can have either red, pink, or white flesh. However, it doesn’t have much flavor. It’s great for adding to tropical smoothies that have flavorful ingredients like pineapple and mango. The white flesh variety is the most common and the least sweet. 

Pink Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit with pink skin (pictured at the top of this article) and light purple flesh is sometimes labeled as “American Beauty” in stores. It also has a mildly sweet flavor similar to the red pitaya. 

Yellow Dragon Fruit

Yellow dragon fruit has yellow skin with a white interior with slightly larger black seeds. It’s sweeter than the red varieties, but harder to find. I find the yellow fruit to be the tastiest. 

How to Eat Dragon Fruit 

You can eat dragon fruit plain, like any other fruit. However, it has a very mild flavor, and I personally prefer it with a little lime juice squeezed over. 

Pitaya Bowl

How to Cut Dragon Fruit

Step 1: Cut in Half

Wash and dry your dragon fruit and cut it in half lengthwise. It may have tough bits at the bottom that need to be removed first. 

Step 2: Peel the Dragon Fruit

Turn the fruit cut-side-down and peel the skin off. Alternatively, use a spoon to scoop the flesh out. 

Step 3: Cut 

Cut the peeled dragon fruit into slices or cubes. 

Dragon Fruit Benefits

Pitaya fruit is a good source of energy. It’s low calorie, fat free, and provides important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Some studies also suggest it may support gut health. 

• Fiber. This high fiber fruit has 5 grams of fiber in a 5 oz. serving, which is 18% of the DV (daily value).  
• Magnesium. 42 mg. in a 6 oz. serving, which is 10% of the DV. 
• Vitamin C. 9 mg. in a 6 oz. serving, which is 10% of the DV. 
• Potassium. 290 mg. in a 6 oz. serving, which is 6% of the DV. 
• Iron. 1 mg. in a 6 oz. serving, which is 6% of the DV.