Why is pitaya called pitaya? Where does pitaya come from?

The pitaya has a light fragrance and is named "pitaya" because it looks like an angry red fireball. There are many varieties of pitaya, which are divided into three types: red, white and yellow according to the color of the pitaya flesh. The pitaya with red flesh is called red dragon fruit, the pitaya with white flesh is called jade dragon fruit, and the pitaya with yellow flesh is called yellow dragon fruit. Do you know why pitaya is called pitaya?

Contents of this article

1. Why is pitaya called pitaya?

2. Dragon fruit origin

3. How long can dragon fruit be stored at room temperature?

Why is pitaya called pitaya?

After the dragon fruit was introduced to China, the Chinese people thought that the scales on its surface resembled the scales of a dragon, and it was bright red in color, so they called it the dragon fruit. The dragon fruit came from the tropical region of Central America.

Pitaya is a perennial climbing succulent plant. The plant has no taproot, but a large number of lateral roots are distributed in the shallow soil layer, and there are many aerial roots that can climb and grow.

Dragon fruit is a tropical and subtropical fruit that likes light and tolerates shade, heat and drought, fertilizer and barrenness. It grows relatively quickly in a warm, humid and well-lit environment.

There are many varieties of pitaya, which are divided into three types: red, white and yellow according to the color of the pitaya flesh. The pitaya with red flesh is called red dragon fruit, the pitaya with white flesh is called jade dragon fruit, and the pitaya with yellow flesh is called yellow dragon fruit.

Dragon Fruit Origin

Pitaya is native to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Cuba, Colombia and other places in Central America. Pitaya in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, Taiwan Province of China, and Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan and other provinces and regions in mainland China were introduced later.

Pitaya is a cultivated variety of the Cactaceae family, Opuntia genus, and is distributed from Central America to northern South America and is widely cultivated around the world.

The pitaya has a fragrant taste and is named "pitaya" because it looks like an angry red fireball.

Dragon fruit is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It grows rapidly in a warm, humid and well-lit environment. It likes light and is shade-tolerant, heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant, and it likes fertilizer and is tolerant to barrenness.

How long can dragon fruit be stored at room temperature?

Pitaya that is 80% to 90% ripe can be stored for about 10 days at room temperature in summer, and 20-30 days in winter (2-15°C). The storage time of fully ripe pitaya is halved. It is best to store the purchased pitaya in a cool and dark place, which can appropriately extend its storage time.

Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit or red dragon fruit, is a plant fruit of the genus Triangle or Snake Whip Column in the Cactaceae family. The diameter of the pitaya is 10-12 cm, oval in shape, with red or yellow skin, purple or white flesh, and obovate black seeds in the flesh.

Pitaya is grown all over the world, mainly in Central America and northern South America. Pitaya is a perennial climbing succulent plant with no taproot. It grows on rocks, tree trunks or walls with the help of aerial roots.