Introduction

If you are a food and beverage FMCG start-up looking to incorporate trendy and unique flavours to extend your food & beverage product range, dragon fruit presents an exciting opportunity. Known for its vibrant colours, dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has been gaining popularity in recent years.

In this blog post, we will explore the characteristics of dragon fruit, its flavour profile, and pairing inspirations to use this trendy fruit for your next food & beverage product development.

What is dragon fruit?

Dragon fruit, which is also called pitaya or strawberry pear, is a tropical fruit that grows on the climbing cactus. It is native to southern Mexico and Central America but it is now cultivated worldwide.

According to the variety, dragon fruits have either a bright red or yellow skin with green scales (hence its name), a white or a reddish pulp and black seeds.

Low in calories and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, dragon fruits are now being studied for their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and ability to reduce insulin resistance. But more research needs to be done to fully understand their potential health benefits.

Dragon fruit is most of the time enjoyed fresh on its own, or in fruit salads, salsas, smoothies, ice creams, and cocktails.

At EPICSI, we specialise in taking your food and beverage concepts from idea to reality. Whether you need help with flavour profile, navigating food regulations, or developing a unique food & beverage product line, we are here to support you.

Reach out today to learn more about our services and how we can help elevate your food & beverage brand.

Dragon fruit Flavour profile

In terms of flavours profile, the dragon fruits I have tried have mainly a blend of kiwi, watermelon, melon rind, earthy, grassy and green tomato notes with some hint of fruity strawberry.

Market products tried:
❇️ Riverford fresh dragon fruit: https://www.riverford.co.uk/organic-fruit-veg-and-salad/fruit/dragon-fruit 
❇️ Asda Fresh dragon fruit: https://groceries.asda.com/product/mango-kiwi-exotic-fruit/love-me-tender-dragon-fruit/1000383182048

Dragon fruit flavour pairing

You can use actual dragon fruit, dragon fruit juice or flavouring, especially if you are currently using kiwi or watermelon.

Dragon fruit can be paired with:

Conclusion

With its delicate fruity flavours, dragon fruit can be paired with sweet or savoury flavours, making it the ideal ingredient to be creative without alienating your target consumers.

For food and beverage start-ups, knowing your target consumers’ preferences and how adventurous they are, is crucial to differentiate yourself from giant food manufacturers and other competitors.

Remember, trying to please everyone, may result in satisfying no one! Instead, prioritise meeting the preferences of your target consumers, for example if they love trendy and exotic flavours!

To ease even more product purchase, pair dragon fruit with a well known flavour.

Take the Next Step

Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your food & beverage product line, EPICSI can guide you every step of the way—from flavour development to food legislation compliance.

Let’s chat about how we can turn your ideas into market-ready food & beverage products that resonate with your target consumers.

Contact us here to get started, or drop us a message with any questions.

We’re excited to help you grow your food & beverage business!

Link to related blogs you may enjoy

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🔶 A Taste of Japan: What does yuzu actually taste like?

🔶 The Taste of Pandan: Exploring the Flavour Profile of this Unique Ingredient

References

San Diego Zoo Wildlife, Dragonfruit (Pitahaya, Pitaya), https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/dragonfruit-pitahaya-pitaya 

Seeds Del Mundo, The dragon fruit origin, https://www.seedsdelmundo.com/blog/dragon-fruit-origin/ 

Amafruits, Dragon Fruit, https://amafruits.com/pages/dragonfruit#:~:text=Dragon%20fruit%20originated%20in%20South,early%20as%20the%2013th%20century. 

Healthline, What Is Dragon Fruit and Does It Have Health Benefits? 2022, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dragon-fruit  

WebMD, What Are the Benefits of Dragon Fruit? 2024 https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-dragon-fruit  

The Spruce Eats, What Is Dragon Fruit? 2022, https://www.thespruceeats.com/dragon-fruit-overview-nutritional-information-3217090