With summer just around the corner, there’s nothing better than enjoying fresh tropical fruit to cool down on a hot summer's day - and dragon fruit is easily one of the season's favorites. Its vibrant color and sweet taste make it a refreshing and healthy snack. They're an easy way to brighten up smoothies, top up smoothie bowls or add a pop of color to your desserts.
But let’s be honest - it’s easy to get a little carried away when you spot these at the supermarket. Before you know it, you’ve brought home more dragon fruit than you know what to do with. The good news? The shelf life of dragon fruit can be extended by properly storing it, which means you can keep enjoying it in your favorite recipes without having to throw it away!
If you're looking for an idea on how to use dragon fruit, check out this Berry and Dragon Fruit Smoothie recipe or use it as a topping on this Bircher Muesli!
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon Fruit, also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya, is an exotic fruit that comes from a cactus-like plant. It is originally native to South and Central America, but is now cultivated in other regions, and is especially prevalent in Southeast Asia due to its hot climate. It is characterized by its unique appearance and is a sweet fruit often with red skin and pink flesh.
Dragon fruit is also known for its health benefits - it's high water content means it is good for lower calorie diets, but it’s also rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. This has shown to help in boosting the immune system, and improving digestion.
There are many different varieties of dragon fruit to enjoy. Some come with a magenta colored skin with white flesh on the inside, others have red flesh. Some varieties even come with yellow skin or purple flesh.
To be able to enjoy this fruit to the full extent, using correct storage methods is key! This is important to make sure the fruit can stay fresh for as long as possible.
How to pick Dragon Fruit?
Buying dragon fruit at the right ripeness level will help extend its shelf life at home. Knowing when you want to consume the fruit will help you choose the right dragon fruit. The best way to find ripe dragon fruits is to hold the fruit in your hand and press the skin. If it is slightly soft to the touch like a ripe avocado, it means the flesh is softer and ripe enough to eat. Also check the spikes to see whether they are softer and flexible rather than hard. You can also smell it, ripe dragon fruit usually gives off a sweeter smell.
If you only plan to consume dragon fruit after a few days, you can select a firmer dragon fruit and leave it in a dry place at room temperature for a couple of days to speed up the ripening process. However, avoid keeping it in direct sunlight or it may spoil. Keeping it next to other fruits like banana or apples can also help speed up the ripening process further due to ethylene gas release from the fruits.
Once it has soft spots, it is best stored in the fridge. You can alternatively choose a ripe dragon fruit and store it in the fridge directly, and then consume when you want! See below the different ways to store it.
3 Ways to Store Dragon Fruit in the Fridge
Dragon fruits store well in just a few steps. Here are 3 easy ways to store this beautiful tropical fruit in the fridge.
Storing it Whole (Uncut)
If you don't plan to consume the fresh dragon fruit on the day you buy it, the best thing you can do is place it whole in the fridge. Uncut dragon fruit will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Just put in on a shelf or in the crisper drawer, no need to wrap it with anything.
Wrap it in Plastic
If you've sliced into a dragon fruit but can't finish it in one go, don't worry! It can still stay fresh for a few days. Simply take a plastic wrap and tightly wrap the dragon fruit to avoid it drying out. Store in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you consume only half the fruit, keep the skin on the part you haven't consumed, this will keep it fresher for longer.
Store in an Airtight Container
If you've already cut up the entire fruit and have some of this delicious fruit leftover, don't fret. You can store it in an airtight container. This will preserve the sweet dragon fruit taste and keep it from spoiling. Store the sealed container in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days.
How to Freeze Dragon Fruit (2 ways)
If you have a surplus of dragon fruit and want to consume them after the peak season has ended, freezing would be the easiest way to ensure longevity of your dragon fruit. Freezing dragon fruit is simple and doesn't take long. There are two ways to freeze dragon fruit as shown below:
Flash Freeze the fruit
1. The first step is to wash and dry the whole fruit. Rinse it under cold water to wash off any dirt on the skin. Pat dry with a clean towel.
2. With a sharp knife, slice the dragon fruit in half lengthwise. Then using the knife or your hands, gently peel off the skin.
3. On a cutting board, cut the dragon fruit into small cubes. You can alternatively use a melon baller to scoop the flesh into small pieces.
4. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place the cut dragon fruits side by side in a single layer, with enough space not to stick together.
5. "Flash Freeze" the dragon fruit in the freezer for about an hour. This step will help prevent the pieces from clumping together later on.
6. Once ready, remove them from the freezer and place the dragon fruit cubes into a storage container or a freezer bag.
7. Put them back in the freezer. They will last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Freeze directly
If you're in a hurry, you can also freeze the fruit directly without the 'flash freezing' process. The easiest way to do this is by the following:
1. Wash, peel and cut the fruit into small cubes or pieces.
2. Place the cut pieces in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag. This will prevent them from sticking.
3. Place the sealed bag flat on a shelf in the freezer, ensuring the dragon fruit stays in a single layer. They will last for up to 6 months.
When to discard Dragon Fruit?
Making sure that you discard dragon fruit at the right time is important to avoid potential food safety issues. You don't want to have a bad experience with this fruit! These are some things to look out for:
Texture: Fresh dragon fruit is usually firm. If the fruit begins to feel too mushy, it is starting to spoil and would need to be discarded.
Color change: If you start to see darker spots or changes in color to the fruit, it could indicate that is has spoiled. This is a good time to throw it out.
Bad odor: Usually fresh dragon fruit smells sweet, if the smell starts to turn sour or is off-putting, it's definitely time to discard it.
Enjoy delicious Dragon Fruit!
So, if you’ve accidentally bought one too many dragon fruits (we’ve all been there), now you know exactly how to store them! Whether you’re using them for smoothies, breakfast bowls or fun tropical desserts - no fruit needs to go to waste.
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