Dragon Fruit

The Dragon Fruit, also known as Pitaya is the fruit of several cactus species indigenous to the Americas. "Pitaya" usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while "pitahaya" or "dragon fruit" refers to fruit of the genus Hylocereus.

Pitahaya-producing cacti of the genus Hylocereus are originally native to Mexico. They were transplanted to Central America, probably by Europeans. They are cultivated in Southeast Asia, the United States, Israel, Australia, Cyprus and the Canary Islands.

There are two categories - "Sour Pitayas" and "Sweet Pitayas". Sweet Pitayas are of three types: Pitaya Blanca (has red-skinned fruit with white flesh), Pitaya Roja (has red-skinned fruit with red flesh) and Pitaya Amarilla or Yellow Pitaya (has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh).