Buzz
Dragon fruit, the fruit of cactus plants, comes in three main varieties. The skin can be red or yellow, with red-skinned types having either red or white flesh, and yellow-skinned ones featuring white flesh. For all three types, ripeness can be determined by visually inspecting and gently pressing the fruit before consumption. If you grow dragon fruit, ensure you harvest it at the right time to guarantee it's fully ripe.
Steps
Inspect the dragon fruit to determine its ripeness
Look for dragon fruit with red or yellow skin. Unripe dragon fruit will appear green. As it matures and ripens, the skin transitions to red or yellow, depending on the variety.
- When ripe, the skin will be bright and evenly colored. If there are dark spots similar to blemishes on an apple, it may be overripe, but a few spots are generally normal.
Observe the 'scales' on the dragon fruit to see if they have started to wither. The scales of a dragon fruit are leaf-like protrusions growing from the fruit. When they begin to dry, turn brown, and wilt, it indicates the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. Conversely, if these scales remain vibrant in color (red or yellow), the fruit is not yet ripe and needs more time.
- When the dragon fruit is perfectly ripe, meaning the scales start to wither, the fruit will detach easily from the stem with a gentle twist. If the fruit falls off on its own, it is likely overripe.
Cut the dragon fruit open. The flesh of the dragon fruit is typically white, deep pink, or purple, depending on the variety, with countless tiny black seeds. The seeds are edible and resemble those of a kiwi. When ripe, the flesh is juicy but retains a firm texture, somewhat like a cross between a pear and a watermelon.
- When overripe, the flesh inside the dragon fruit will turn brown, similar to bruising in a banana. Avoid eating fruit that has turned brown or dried out.
Press the dragon fruit to check its ripeness
Gently press the fruit with your thumb. Hold the dragon fruit in your palm and lightly press the skin with your thumb or fingers. A ripe fruit will feel soft but not mushy. If it feels mushy, it is overripe. If it is too firm, it needs a few more days to ripen.
- Only use this method if you grow and harvest dragon fruit yourself. Pressing the fruit can cause bruising, which may harm the seller and other buyers in stores or markets.
- You can purchase or harvest unripe dragon fruit and leave it on the counter for a few days at room temperature. It will ripen within a few days. Test its ripeness by pressing it daily.
Check for defects or damage on the skin. The skin of a dragon fruit can be damaged during handling and transportation. For example, if not packed properly during shipping, the fruits may bump into each other. They can also bruise if dropped. Damaged dragon fruit will show visible bruises, shrink, and wrinkle due to dehydration.
- Inspect all sides of the dragon fruit and avoid buying fruits with cracks, splits, or other damage.
Avoid selecting fruits with dry stems. A dry stem is a sign that the dragon fruit may be overripe. Feel the fruit to check if the stem is brittle, shriveled, or dry.
Harvest dragon fruit at the right time
Harvest dragon fruit when it is almost fully ripe. Unlike other fruits, dragon fruit does not ripen much after being picked, so it’s best to harvest when it is nearly ripe.
- You can harvest when the fruit’s color changes from green to yellow or red.
- The small leaves on the fruit (also called 'scales') will begin to fade or turn brown as the fruit ripens.
- You can also determine ripeness by counting the days after the plant flowers. Typically, the fruit ripens 27 to 33 days after flowering.
- The ideal time to harvest is 4 days after the fruit changes color, but for export, it is often harvested earlier, 1 day after the color change.
Remove the thorns from the dragon fruit before harvesting. You can brush off the thorns, pluck them with pliers, or use gloves. When the fruit ripens, the thorns will start to fall off, making them easier to remove. However, always wear gloves and be cautious, as dragon fruit thorns are very sharp.
Harvest dragon fruit by twisting it off the stem. When ripe and ready for harvest, the fruit will detach easily from the stem with a few twists. If you need to pull hard, it’s not yet the right time to harvest.
- Don’t wait for the dragon fruit to fall off the stem. If it falls on its own, it is likely overripe.
