PITAHAYA OR YELLOW DRAGON FRUIT

This fruit was discovered in the wild by Spanish conquerors who named it ‘Pitahaya’, which means ‘squamous fruit’. Also known as dragon fruit, cardo ananás, flor del cáliz, pitaja, pitaya and pitayayá. According to Aztec texts, pitahaya has been consumed since the XIII century. It originated in México and Central America. In Colombia, this fruit is grown between 1,400 and 1,700 meters above sea level, at temperatures ranging from 14°C and 26°C.It can be found in Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Caldas.

Did you know prickly pitahayas are harder to harvest than the ones without thorns? Even though they come from the cactus family and can bear drought periods, they need sufficient amounts of water to survive. There are yellow and red pitahayas, both with remarkable flowers that are used as tea. Some people eat this fruit because of its high content of a rich antioxidant pigment that can prevent premature aging. Others consume pitahaya because of its high doses of vitamin C which can prevent respiratory diseases. It can be used in salad, juice, dessert, ice cream and as a complement for salt dishes.