Golden dragon fruit is also known as yellow dragon fruit or yellow pitahaya. Yellow and golden dragon fruits are commonly swapped or mistaken for each other. But to clarify, these are two utterly different dragon fruit varieties!
Golden dragon fruit is a variety of fruits characterized by its vibrant yellow skin and white or yellow flesh. Like all other species of Dragon fruits, the Golden dragon fruit is also dotted with tiny black seeds.
Scientific Facts About Golden Dragon Fruit:
Scientific Name: Hylocereus megaliths
Botanical Classification
Golden dragon fruit belongs to the genus Hylocereus. The Hylocereus is part of the Cactaceae family. Its scientific name is Hylocereus megalanthus.
Origin
The Golden Dragon fruit is also native to Central and South America. Well, the golden dragon fruit is believed to have originated in Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru.
Growing Conditions
Like all other varieties of Dragon Fruit, the Golden dragon fruit also grows in tropical and subtropical climates.
It requires well-draining soil and prefers warm temperatures. Hence, the optimal growth of the Golden Dragon Fruit occurs in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 90°F (18°C to 32°C). It is typically grown in areas with plenty of sunlight.
Pollination: Like other dragon fruit varieties, the flower of the golden dragon fruit plants bloom overnight. So similarly, they are also pollinated primarily by nocturnal pollinators such as bats and moths. Human-assisted pollination is also common for commercial cultivation of Golden Dragon fruit.
Physical Characteristics of Golden Dragon Fruit
Appearance of Golden Dragon Fruit
Imagine a bright, round object covered in shimmering golden patterns resembling tiny patches of sunlight! That’s the golden dragon fruit!
Its vibrant yellow skin will bring back the memories of a tropical sunrise. It certainly has subtle hints of green at the base.
As discussed in articles about the Red Dragon Fruit and Pink Dragon Fruit, they usually have vibrant colours. At the same time, the golden dragon fruit has a softer and more subtle radiance. It gives off a gentle and glowing appearance.
Texture of Golden Dragon Fruit
Slice open a ripe, fresh golden dragon fruit! And you will discover a treasure trove of creamy, golden-yellow flesh. The smooth and velvety texture of fresh-ripened Golden Dragon Fruit is similar to the juiciness of a perfectly ripened mango and the creaminess of a custard apple.
I would love to mention the crispiness of tiny, edible black seeds! They also hint at delightful crunch and textural contrast to each juicy bite.
Flavor of Golden Dragon Fruit
The flavour of Golden Dragon Fruit can be defined as a mixture of sweetness with a hint of tanginess. Golden dragon fruit delights with its luscious, tropical flavour profile. You can further understand it as reminiscent of a blend of honeydew melon, pineapple, and subtle citrus notes.
With the delightful balance of sugar and acidity, the Golden Dragon Fruit will leave a lingering, refreshing sensation with every mouthful for you.
Nutritional Benefits of Golden Dragon Fruit
Now, the most important part! How is it beneficial to your health?
With its radiant exterior, the Golden Dragon Fruit is full of essential nutrients.
Golden dragon fruit contains:
essential vitamins
minerals
antioxidants
The Golden Dragon Fruit is exceptionally high in vitamin C. It is essential to mention that vitamin C supports your immune health and collagen production.
Additionally, Golden Dragon Fruit is full of fibre. Fibre is the one nutrient that aids your digestion and promotes gut health.
Potassium and magnesium are also present in Golden Dragon Fruit. They mainly contribute to your heart health and muscle function.
Cultivation of Golden Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is a tropical flora. So, if you want to cultivate a plant of Golden dragon fruit, you should know that it will thrive in warm, tropical climates with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight.
The Golden Dragon Fruit is mainly cultivated in regions such as Central and South America. It also grows well in the warm parts of Southeast Asia and Australia.
The fruit grows on climbing cacti! Thus, it requires trellises or support structures for optimal growth.
While primarily propagated through cuttings or grafting, the golden dragon fruit can also be grown from seeds. However, this method is less common because it can vary the quality of the fruit.
Wrapping Up
Golden dragon fruit is not just a feast for the eyes! It’s a sensory delight. It can tantalize your taste buds and can nourish your body. The Golden Dragon Fruit, along with other variants like Purple Dragon Fruit, White Dragon fruit, Green Dragon fruit, and more, is becoming the favourite of fruit lovers worldwide! The reason could be its vibrant appearance, exquisite flavour, and nutritional benefits! You can give it a try if you still need to!
Some people assume that Yellow Dragon Fruit and Golden Dragon Fruit are the same fruit. But I am telling you.. they are not!!
Nature has blessed us with a surprisingly wide range of fruits in many colours. We can count Yellow Dragon Fruit and Golden Dragon Fruit among those.
Do you want to know about Yellow Dragon Fruit? And how is it different from the Golden Dragon Fruit? Go nowhere! We have already researched that; here is the detailed article about “Yellow Dragon Fruit.”
FAQs
What is Golden Dragon Fruit good for?
Golden Dragon Fruit is full of many essential nutrients. Such as:
Vitamin C: your immunity booster and collagen producer! You can add the Golden Dragon Fruit to your diet to boost your skin and overall health.
Fiber: A healthy gut is healthy you!
Iron: According to WebMD, the Golden Dragon Fruit contains iron. Iron is vital for red blood cells and the normal functioning of your body.
Prebiotics: the Golden Dragon Fruit also contains Prebiotics. Prebiotics are simply the food of “Good bacteria” in your intestines. Taking a Prebiotic balances the good and bad bacteria in your digestive system, which is very important for your overall health.
Why is Golden Dragon Fruit rare?
Although the Golden Dragon Fruit is available in the regions where it is cultivated, it is still less commonly available than the other colours of Dragon fruit.
Which colour of Dragon fruit is healthiest?
Including Golden Dragon Fruit, every available colour of dragon fruit is good for health. However, according to health practitioners, the Red Dragon Fruit is the healthiest as it contains many “Antioxidants” due to its red colour.
Does Golden Dragon Fruit brighten skin?
Yes, it hydrates and makes your gut healthy. It was ultimately giving you a brighter, healthier complexion.
How to eat Golden Dragon Fruit?
Enjoy fresh fruit, make a smoothie, mix it with other fresh fruit, and make a salad, or you can try grilling the cubes of your Golden Dragon Fruit! You will love it. However, you try to consume this delicious, tasty delight!
