Ever wondered if dragon fruit and kiwi are, like, distant cousins in the fruit family? 🍍🤔 Let’s get into the juicy deets and see if these exotic tropical fruits are more connected than you think!
Turns out, that dragon fruit (or pitaya) and kiwi aren’t exactly or closely related. Scientifically and botanically, they are unrelated and belong to a totally different family! But they’ve got features in common, which made fruit consumers assume that are somehow related to each other. Dragon fruit and kiwi, both feature bright, speckled flesh, tiny black crispy embedded seeds, and a tropical vibe that makes people mix ’em up sometimes.
Is Dragon Fruit Related to Kiwi? Debunking the Myth
Botanical Family Trees of Dragon fruit and Kiwi
Dragon fruit is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae). It is a succulent plant. Kiwi, on the other hand, belongs to the Actinidiaceae family.
Growing Conditions for Dragon Fruit vs. Kiwi
Dragon fruit loves warm, tropical climates—it really thrives in the heat. While Kiwi prefers more moderate, temperate areas where it can stay cool without getting too hot.
Soil pH: Dragon fruit prefers neutral soil, while kiwi prefers slightly acidic soil.
Water Needs: Dragon fruit requires regular watering, while kiwi needs consistent moisture but avoids overwatering.
Flavor Face-Off: Kiwi vs. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit has a mild, sweet taste that’s pretty subtle. Kiwi, though, packs more of a punch with its tangy, slightly tart flavor that really stands out.
Scaly vs. Fuzzy: A Visual Comparison of Dragon Fruit and Kiwi
Dragon fruit is world famous for its bold look—We can it is one of the most bodacious fruit we know these days. That bright pink or yellow leathery skin with large, scale-like features! But Kiwi’s a bit more understated with its fuzzy, brown skin. Although it’s still pretty unique in its own way, but way more different than Dragon Fruit!
Moreover, the Dragon fruit’s flesh is white, red, or yellow with black, edible seeds. Kiwi flesh is typically green, sometimes golden, with numerous tiny, black seeds. And, Dragon fruit is typically pear-shaped or round, while kiwis are oval-shaped.
Similarities between Dragon fruit and Kiwi?
Vibrant Flesh with Small Edible Black Seeds
Both fruits have eye-catching, juicy colorful insides. and, both Dragon fruit and Kiwi are speckled with little black crispy seeds. Dragon fruit seeds and kiwi seeds are edible! They add beauty, and texture to flesh and serve as the biggest similarity between Dragon fruit and Kiwi.
Tropical Vibes
Dragon fruit comes from tropical or subtropical regions, and while kiwi prefers temperate climates, both fruits give off a fresh, tropical vibe.
High Water Content
Both Dragon fruit and Kiwi are hydrating fruits with high water content. They are juicy and refreshing to eat.
Versatile Uses
Both fruits are used in smoothies, fruit salads, and desserts, due to their vibrant colors and mild, refreshing flavors.
Nutritional Comparison: Dragon Fruit vs. Kiwi
Both dragon fruit and kiwi are nutrient-dense fruits, but they offer slightly different nutritional profiles.
Similarities in Nutritional Contents of Dragon Fruit and Kiwi
Vitamins: Both are excellent sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts immunity and aids in collagen production.
Fiber: Both fruits are high in dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Antioxidants: Both contain antioxidants, including lycopene and beta-carotene, which help protect cells from damage.
Differences in Nutritional Contents of Dragon Fruit and Kiwi
Vitamin K: Kiwi is a famous fruit source of Vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. 100 grams of Kiwi contains 28-30 micrograms of Vitamin K.
While 100 grams of Dragon fruit contain 4.4 micrograms of Vitamin K, so Dragon fruit has much less Vitamin K.
Magnesium: According to USDA, Food Data, Dragon fruit contains a good 7 mg/100 grams amount of magnesium, essential for muscle function and energy production. Kiwi doesn’t have as much magnesium compared to dragon fruit. 100 grams of Kiwi contain 0.098 mg of Mg!
Carbohydrate Content: Kiwi generally has slightly more carbohydrates due to its higher natural sugar content, while dragon fruit is a bit lower in carbs.
Folate (Vitamin B9): Kiwi has a higher folate content, which is crucial for cell growth and metabolism. Dragon fruit doesn’t contain as much folate.
Potassium: Kiwi is high in Potassium, about 312 mg/100 grams, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health, while Dragon fruit has 116mg /100 grams of Potassium.
| Nutritional Content per 100 grams | Dragon Fruit | Kiwi |
| Water | 84 g | 83.1 g |
| Energy | 57 kcal | 61 kcal |
| Total sugars | 9.75 g | 8.99 g |
| Protein | 0.36 g | 1.14 g |
| Calcium | 9 mg | 34 mg |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg | 0.14 mg |
| Choline | – | 7.8 mg |
| Beta Carotene | 14 µg | 52 µg |
| Lutein +Zeaxanthin | 44 µg | 122 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.029 mg | 0.063 mg |
| Sodium | 1 mg | 3 mg |
Reference: USDA ( U. S Department of Agriculture) FoodData Central
While dragon fruit and kiwi share some superficial similarities, they belong to distinct botanical families. They have unique characteristics in terms of appearance, flavor, and nutritional content. Both fruits offer a delightful tropical taste experience and are valuable additions to your healthy diet.
FAQs
Are dragon fruit and kiwi from the same family?
No, dragon fruit belongs to the cactus family (Cactaceae), while kiwi is part of the Actinidiaceae family.
Do dragon fruit and kiwi taste the same?
Not exactly. Dragon fruit has a mildly sweet and neutral taste, whereas kiwi is more tangy and tart.
Can dragon fruit be used as a substitute for kiwi in recipes?
In some cases, yes! Since both fruits have a similar texture and appearance, dragon fruit can be a substitute for kiwi in fruit salads or smoothies. However, their flavors are different, so expect a milder taste with dragon fruit.
Which fruit has more vitamin C, dragon fruit or kiwi?
Kiwi contains more vitamin C (92.7mg/100 grams) than dragon fruit (4.3mg/100 grams). A single kiwi provides more than the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, while dragon fruit offers a good amount but not as much.
Can you eat the seeds in dragon fruit and kiwi?
Yes, both dragon fruit and kiwi seeds are edible and rich in fiber and antioxidants.
How do you tell when dragon fruit or kiwi is ripe?
For dragon fruit, look for bright, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when pressed. Kiwi should feel slightly soft but not mushy when ripe.
Are dragon fruit and kiwi good for weight loss?
Yes, both fruits are low in calories, high in fiber, and can be part of a healthy, weight-loss-friendly diet.
Which one is more good, Kiwi or Dragon fruit?
Both have many health benefits with the tastiest flavor profile. Explore exclusive articles on many beautiful varieties of Dragon fruit (https://tasteofdragonfruit.com/choose-vietnamese-white-dragon-fruit/) and decide for yourself!
