• The HOW:

          The first thing that enthralled me is its name “Dragon fruit”. Ever since the first time I heard it I became interested. What kind of fruit could actually hold up the name of a mythical creatures? Why was it given this name? What secrets can it possibly hold?  So many questions, but I never actually took the time to figure out the answer until now.

The second thing that fascinated me is that not only does it have a crazy look with its flamboyant red skin and leafy green tips (and sometimes all around yellow skin), but I also learned from experience that it can be red or white inside. This change of color most likely impacts its taste of fruit and consequently the dishes you can make with it. But does it also impact its nutritional properties? Is one fruit more beneficial than the other? Is there one way of preparing it to render homage to them?

• The WHY:

          I got to experience what I now know it as “Pitahaya a roja” and the “Pitahaya a blanca” (Red and White Pitahaya). My memory of both fruits are quite different, and here’re my recollection of them:

-The White Dragon Fruit was the first one to land on my palate. My memory of it as I bit into it was first that of a smooth crunchy texture (like that of Julie mango, but without fibers). It was then followed with a subtle rush of bitter and sourness yet with a secondary (and very elusive) sweetness.

-The Red Dragon Fruit in comparison was much coarser when it comes to its flavor. In my opinion it’s a fruit that becomes likable with acquired taste. It didn’t hold the crunchiness that the White Pitahaya had, however its hidden sweetness came rushing in. My conceptions of the fruit were shattered by this new-found color and rush of flavor. It wasn’t about discerning that hidden treasure anymore, it became more about dealing with this flagrant blast of sweet and bitter/sour.

I’m writing this now before I taste these fruits again as it’s my personal belief that recollection play a huge role in your life. Months, days, even years from now; our knowledge of this fruit (or anything else for the matter) will only be as good as the dish, or experience that we first had when we encountered it. As history has shown, progress comes with experimentation, therefore an accurate recordings of ones practices can only further one’s march towards proficient expertise.