Dragon Fruit from Vietnam: Fresh Fruit of Tropical Land
To the southeastern coast of Vietnam, Binh Thuan Province stands out as a prime cultivation region for dragon fruit. This province provides the highest annual yield of dragon fruits for domestic and international markets. In order to achieve stable productivity, this province must have the support of nature: the ideal climate for cultivation. Dragon fruit is now one of the strong export products of Vietnam. Let’s discover more about dragon fruit from Vietnam in the following post with HAVIGO!
1. Dragon Fruit from Vietnam
While its tropical flavor might lead you to believe otherwise, dragon fruit (or pitaya) has a surprising origin. It traces its back to the cactus family, specifically from the arid regions of Mexico and Central America. This fruit shares its ancestry with cacti. Nowadays, farmers grow dragon fruit plants in many countries in South East Asia. Among them, dragon fruit from Vietnam is always rated as the best quality and flavor.
In recent years, Vietnamese dragon fruit has taken the culinary world by storm. Always considering dragon fruit to be one of the main products for export, so Vietnam invested strongly in the cultivation and process of this tropical fruit. In 2023, exporting this fruit brought about nearly $600 million to Vietnam’s economy. The biggest markets for these tropical fruits are China, the USA, India, Thailand, Korea, Japan, European Countries and so on.
2. How do Dragon Fruits taste like?
The tropical gem from Vietnam has a strange appearance, reminding of an Asian dragon head. Imagine holding a radiant pink orb in your hand. Its outer skin is attached with green scales, creating an appealing contrast. When sliced open, the flesh reveals a vibrant white or magenta hue with tiny black seeds.
People feel the taste of dragon fruit as a symphony of flavors. When biting, the flesh is subtly sweet, with delicate floral notes that dance on your taste buds. If you haven’t tried it before, imagine the juiciness of a perfectly melon combined with the refreshing of kiwi and the decent smell of pear. It’s a harmonious balance. And those tiny seeds? They add a delightful crunchiness to your experience.
3. Growing conditions for Dragon Fruits
Vietnam’s tropical climate provides an ideal environment for dragon fruit cultivation. Especially, Binh Thuan province is the place with the highest growing dragon fruit area of over 33,700 hectares, the output is over 650,000 tons per year. High temperatures, dry seasons and long sunny times, this province offers the perfect conditions for this tree fruit to thrive. Despite of harsh climate, dragon fruits prefer this land.
Dragon fruit flourishes in temperatures ranging from 18°C to 35°C. Besides, the dry season is crucial in fruit development and ripening. It allows the dragon fruit to concentrate its sugars and develop its vibrant color. When it comes to soil, dragon fruit requires well-draining, sandy loam soil with a slightly acidic pH (between 5.5 and 6.8). This type of soil allows for optimal drainage and provides the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Additionally, dragon fruit requires ample sunlight, around 12 hours per day, for optimal growth and fruit production. Planting dragon fruit in a location with full sun exposure can ensure it receives the necessary light for successful development. From the above factors, Binh Thuan is the ideal land for planting dragon fruits in Vietnam.
4. Varieties of Dragon Fruit
Red Dragon Fruit: The sweet
The red dragon fruit is the champion of sweetness among its varieties. Its deep red skin covers vibrant red flesh, offering a visual feast before you take a bite. The flavor profile is the same as its appearance, bursting with a rich sweetness that is both delightful and satisfying. Subtle floral notes add a touch of complexity to the overall experience. It makes the red dragon fruit a perfect choice for those with a sweet tooth.
Pink Dragon Fruit: A delicate balance
With its fuchsia or magenta skin and vibrant pink flesh, the pink dragon fruit offers a beautiful contrast to its red one. Its flavor reflects its more delicate appearance. While still sweet, it presents a more subtle taste compared to the red dragon fruit. A touch of sweetness on the tongue, followed by a refreshing, slightly tart aftertaste that adds a touch of complexity. This balanced flavor makes the pink dragon fruit a versatile option, perfect for enjoying on its own or adding to salads and other dishes.
White Dragon Fruit: Mild and refreshing
About white dragon fruit, with its pink or red skin and pale white flesh, stands out for its mild flavor. This variety is the least sweet of the bunch, offering a subtle sweetness with a neutral, slightly creamy taste. Its refreshing quality makes it a great choice for those who prefer a lighter flavor profile. The white dragon fruit pairs well with stronger flavors and can be a good choice for fruit salads or smoothies.
Yellow Dragon Fruit (Rare): A unique adventure
The yellow dragon fruit is a rare kind compared to others. It offers a truly unique experience. Its bright yellow skin stands out, covering white flesh similar to the white dragon fruit. However, the flavor profile takes a different turn. While still exhibiting a mild sweetness, the yellow dragon fruit ventures into a slightly tangy or earthy. This complexity makes it a fascinating option for those who seeking something beyond the standard sweetness.
5. Demand for Dragon Fruits
Looking beyond traditional markets, there’s a push to diversify export destinations for Vietnamese dragon fruit.
China is the biggest market for Vietnam to export dragon fruits. However, Vietnam is actively diversifying its export markets beyond China. Exploring other regions—such as India and Japan—offers growth opportunities. These markets appreciate the dragon fruit’s visual appeal, taste, and health benefits. Moreover, Europe, although relatively new to dragon fruit, showed promise, attracting more consumers. Demand remains robust in the United States, despite stringent pesticide residue regulations.
6. Tips for buying delicious Dragon Fruit
When selecting good dragon fruits, you should focus on these factors: color, texture, shapes, ears (spike) smell and flavor. Here are the tips for you:
The appearances
Color: The color of dragon fruit depends on the varieties of dragon fruit you are choosing. Look for bright pink, red, or yellow hues. Avoid fruits with dull or faded colors. The common point of delicious dragon fruit is that the skin has an even, fresh color, not bruised or crushed. A vibrant, even color is a good sign of ripeness.
Texture: The fruit should feel firm but slightly yielding to gentle pressure. To check its texture, use the finger to gently press on the fruit to feel the freshness. When you press on a good dragon fruit, it feels moderately soft and slightly elastic. It means that the flesh is still firm. So, do not choose fruits that are too soft when pressed, or have purple marks left on the skin. Also, do not choose fruits that are too hard to press on. These are unripe or hard fruits, and these fruits won’t taste good.
Shape: A plump and balanced shape is generally a sign of a good dragon fruit. Therefore, you should choose dragon fruit that is round and large, with smooth, shiny skin, which proves that it is ripe and fresh.
Ears (Spikes): Delicious dragon fruit has a stem and soft ears. When you bend it, you see the toughness. Also, the color of the stem and ears is slightly bright, still looking fresh. If the ears and stems are still green, it means that the fruit has just been harvested. Therefore, don’t choose dragon fruit with a crispy, dry and easily broken stem and ears. It means the dragon fruit is overripe and won’t be delicious.
The smell and flavor
Smell: A subtly sweet aroma can be a good sign of ripeness. Delicious dragon fruit has a light fruity aroma emanating from the fruit. You shouldn’t choose fruits with a strong smell like fermentation, those are overripe fruits, and do not choose fruits with strange scents.
Flavor: If you have a chance, try it before buying. Good dragon fruit has a mild, sweet flavor that’s often described as a combination of kiwi, pear, and watermelon. It’s a refreshing and unique taste, with a slightly grainy texture due to its tiny black seeds. The flavor can vary slightly depending on the specific variety of dragon fruit.
7. How to preserve fresh Dragon Fruit
Preserve at room temperature: You need to keep it in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. Dragon fruit will stay for about 5 – 8 days.
Preserve dragon fruit by cool method: The easiest way to preserve dragon fruit for a long time is to keep it cool in the fridge. Avoid placing other foods on top to avoid being crushed or crushed. At this temperature, the dragon fruit will be preserved for 8 – 10 days. However, do not store dragon fruit at a temperature lower than 5°C to avoid affecting the quality of the fruit.
Conclusion
Vietnam dragon fruit stands as a nutritious fruit, thriving in arid regions despite climate challenges. Its vibrant appearance, sweet flavor, and potential health benefits make it a sought-after superfruit. In the future, pitaya exported from Vietnam will remain the fruit loved by people all over the world due to its unique appearance and flavor.
About us
Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing fresh Dragon Fruit from Vietnam, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.
We are confident in our ability to deliver products that consistently meet the highest quality standards while offering competitive pricing within the market. Furthermore, we are committed to providing exceptional customer support throughout your entire experience. Please contact us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.