Dragon fruits can be dated by their texture, color, and the presence of bruises to reveal how recently they were harvested. However, contrary to popular belief, cutting the dragon fruit won’t speed up its browning.
Both food and non-food products undergo oxidation processes. For example, the reaction known as enzymic browning involves enzyme action and oxidation.
Enzymatic browning, triggered by oxygen in the air, causes sliced fruit to turn brown. Cells of the apple contain phenols and the enzyme phenolase; when these are exposed to air, as when slicing, a reaction is triggered.
If you want to prolong the browning of your dragon fruit, you may want to read our other Iupilon articles: “Do I need to refrigerate dragon fruit,” “Does dragon fruit spoil,” and “How long can you keep cut dragon fruit in the fridge.”
How Long Will Dragon Fruit Last Once Cut?
The shelf life of dragon fruit is significantly shortened once it has been sliced open. Therefore, if you do not intend to consume all of your dragon fruit in a single sitting, you should put it in a container that will not let air in and then place it in the refrigerator.
You may think that the spiky leaves covering dragon fruit would make it difficult to cut through, but this is not the case. After being sliced, this fruit will only remain fresh for a few days, so make sure to consume it as soon as possible after cutting it.
When stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, dragon fruit is good. The ripening process is slowed down when it is kept in the refrigerator, but if you place it on your countertop, it will continue to ripen even after it has been stored in the refrigerator.
You also can cut dragon fruit into cubes and freeze them so that you may use them later in smoothies. To accomplish this, place dragon fruit cubes on a baking sheet and freeze them until they are completely frozen. The ice cubes can be kept in the freezer for up to half a year if they are stored in a bag that has been sealed.
Is Dragon Fruit Supposed To Be Brown?
To know if your fruit is still fresh—the flesh should be bright in color, and the seeds should be black. If you cut into a dragon fruit and see some browning, it might not be a big deal, but you should still look for symptoms of decomposition and throw it out if there are any.
If the brown spots are small and concentrated, you’re likely dealing with bruising, and you can safely remove them with a sharp knife. Just be sure to get rid of all the unhealthy tissue.
Once dragon fruits are ripe, they should be stored in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and longevity. They have a shelf life of about a week in the fridge, though they might taste better if eaten sooner. Dragon fruit should be refrigerated once ripe.
Though you can let an unripe dragon fruit sit out on the counter until it’s ready to eat, it will keep longer if stored in the fridge. Even if you don’t think the dragon fruit is ripe, you must cut it open if it has been bruised on the outside to see if the damage has penetrated the inside.
If it has and the meat is still edible, you should consume it as soon as possible. If the dragon fruit hasn’t been severely bruised, you can store the pieces in the refrigerator for up to a few days in an airtight container. Don’t store it for more than a week in the fridge.
How Do You Know If Dragon Fruit Is Expired?
- The flesh of decaying dragon fruit will become brown, and the leaves may turn dark green. This can happen if the fruit is heated or left in the sunlight.
- The inside color of your fruit is another way to detect if it’s rotten or not. For example, the inside of a spoiled dragon fruit turns a darker brown. Cut the fruit in half to see the color difference, and toss them away if you find even a few imperfect pieces with this darker color.
- The taste is another indicator that your dragon fruit has gone wrong. Good dragon fruit typically tastes slightly sweet and syrupy. Discard your dragon fruit immediately if it does not have the typical sweet and sour flavor. Rotten dragon fruit can be toxic.
- The smell is the last line of defense in determining whether or not your dragon fruit is ripe. Common dragon fruits don’t typically have any pronounced aromas. However, if it begins to rot, it can produce a terrible odor and should be discarded immediately.
- Remember that dragon fruit’s flavor diminishes as it ripens, so don’t wait until it’s overripe before eating it. Fruit will decay in as little as a day if you store it at room temperature, so don’t even bother cutting it up before putting it away.
Should I Keep Dragon Fruit In The Fridge?
Despite its many advantages, dragon fruits only stay fresh for a limited time. However, dragon fruit can be enjoyed for a more extended period if proper preservation methods are employed and spoiled fruit is quickly identified.
Refrigerating dragon fruit is the best way to preserve it for up to two weeks. You can delay dragon fruit’s ripening by storing it in the fridge. Dragon fruit should be stored in an airtight container or bag. Placing your dragon fruit inside a bag can be stored in the fridge for at least two weeks.
The flavor of dragon fruit can change depending on what else is in your refrigerator. However, you can prevent this from happening by hermetically sealing the fruit.
Dragon fruit can be refrigerated after slicing and stored in a tight container. You may salvage cut-up dragon fruit by separating the flesh from the peel. Prepare a jar or plastic bag to store the dragon fruit in. To prolong its shelf life, it is best to remove as much air as you can from the bag or container.
Even if it is kept in the refrigerator, dragon fruit that has been cut open will go bad after a few days. Spreading lemon juice on the dragon fruit will help keep it from going bad.
