Dragon fruit (UK: pitaya) is the fruit of several cactus species from the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus. The fruit came from Mexico, Central America and South America but now cultivated in Asian countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia. Fruit can also be found in Okinawa, Israel, northern Australia and southern China. Hylocereus blooms only at night .
In 1870 this plant was brought from French Guyana in Vietnam as an ornamental plant. By Vietnamese and Chinese men is considered a blessing. Therefore, this fruit is always placed between two small green dragon statue above the altar table. Fruit red color looks striking in the color green dragons. From this habit of fruit was among the Vietnamese who greatly influenced Chinese culture known as the thang Loy (dragon fruit). The term Thang Loy then translated in Europe and other countries who speak English as a dragon fruit (dragon fruit).
In general, dragon fruit cultivated by cuttings or seed seeding. Plants will flourish if the porous planting medium (not wet), nutrient-rich, sandy, enough sunshine and temperatures between 38-40 ° C. If treatment is good enough, the plant will begin fruiting at the age of 11-17 months. Malang City is 400-700 above sea level, is very suitable for the cultivation of red dragon fruit. Although it has enough cool air, but it gets enough sunlight is a requirement of red dragon fruit growth. Dragon fruit can grow with the soil conditions and altitude of any location, but these plants will greedy enough nutrients, so if the soil contains a good fertilizer, the growth would be good. Within 1 year, dragon fruit tree can reach a height of 3 meters more. According to some sources, dragon fruit has not been much cultivated in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the area Mojokerto, Jember, Malang, Pasuruan, Banyuwangi, Roxburgh, and Batam is an area that has been cultivating this crop.
Dragon fruit is usually consumed in the form of fresh fruit as relieving thirst, because the dragon fruit contains high moisture content of about 90% of the weight of the fruit. It was pretty sweet because they contain sugar content reaches 13-18 briks. Dragon fruit can also be expressed in the form of juice, fruit juice, jam or candied maupu various forms of presentation according to your tastes.
In general, experts agree and acknowledge dragon fruit is rich in potassium, ferum, protein, fiber, sodium and calcium is good for kesihatan versus other fruits are imported.
According to Leong from Johncola Pitaya AL Food R & D, an organization that examines the red dragon fruit, honey cactus fruit is quite rich with a variety of vitamins and mineral substances which help increase endurance and beneficial for metabolism in the human body.
"Research shows red dragon fruit is excellent for the circulatory system, also gives the effect of reducing the emotional pressures and neutralize toxic in the blood." Research also shows this fruit can prevent colon cancer, in addition to preventing high cholesterol content in the blood and reduce levels of fat in body, "he said.
Overall, every red dragon fruit contain adequate protein can increase metabolism and maintain cardiovascular health; fiber (to prevent colon cancer, diabetes and diet); carotene (eye health, strengthen the brain and prevent the entry of the disease), calcium (bone strengthening).
Dragon fruit also contain adequate iron to increase the blood; vitamin B1 (prevent fever entity); vitamin B2 (add to taste), vitamin B3 (lower cholesterol) and vitamin C (increase slipperiness, smoothness of skin and prevent acne).
Here is a complete nutritional dragon fruit:
Sugar content: 13-18 briks Water: 90% Carbohydrates: 11.5 g Acid: 0.139 g Protein: 0.53 g Fiber: 0.71 g Calcium: 134.5 mg Phosphorus: 8.7 mg Magnesium: 60.4 mg Vitamin C: 9.4 mg
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