It could be strange if we imagine the dragon fruit, or "cactus fruit" existed long in those "once upon a time" stories! Is it a reason why everywhere in Asia always name this fruit "dragon"?
But I have to admit that "Thanh Long" is probably one of the very unique edible fruits that we may ever know in the world. The colour, the shape, the texture, the taste - absolutely different from the others. Some people described the taste of this fruit like a mixture between melon and kiwi!
Dragon fruit appeared in Vietnam maybe not very long, I can't remember since when we have this fruit, I'm sure that I never saw it in my childhood. Later I was told Thanh Long is likely our special pride, as no other country in the whole Asia can cultivate good Thanh Long as we do here, especially in a land where the weather is terribly dry and hot, with strong sunshine, near to the seaside - Phan Thiết.
From time to time I saw this fruit in some big supermarkets in Bangkok or Singapore, but it was quite small, wilted...compared to what I usually see in Saigon.
When I first saw Thanh Long tree, especially its flower (which becomes a fruit later) I quickly associate with a flower plant, long in the past in our family's garden, very similar, rarely bloom, but when it does only late at night with nice fragrance, sadly wilt next morning. My mom used to take a good care of this plant as she fell in love with its flower. It's gorgeous but short-lived.
I did try dragon fruit jam in one resort in Phan Thiết, it was a bit weird to me, because dragon fruit doesn't have a sour taste which I consider good for jam making. I also tried dragon fruit juice, it has been mixed with other fruits so it was ok.
Dragon fruit tastes good by itself, not too sweet, not sour, not bland, as some people's comment, I don't think we need to add anything else. It's a very healthy fruit. I don't know exactly how healthy is it, but I love it, esp. when it's served cold.
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