Report Text : Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is a fruit of growing popularity. The fruit has been referred to as the most beautiful in the cactus family. It is cultivitaed in the subtropical and tropical regions of Central Mexico, Central America, and South America, Southeast Asia. Each stem segment of the plant can grow up to 20 feet long. Flowering occurs during warm months taking approximately 45 to 150 days for fruit to develop depending on species. Upon reaching maturity, the dragon fruit reaches its optimal sweetness. If not harvested immediately the fruit will continue to grow in size but will not increase in sugar content.

The fruit varies in size between 0.5 to 3 pounds. The fruit has a hot pink or reddish skin with greenish scales. The inner flesh is white, pink, or red with numerous small black seeds. Compared to the bright, vibrant skin, the juicy flesh is actually quite mild in flavo, similar to a melon or pear. It is slightly sweet with acidic undertones. Its texture is a cross between a kiwi and a firm pear.

Dragon fruit is very appealing to consumers due to its exotic nature. It can be used in tropical drinks, smoothies, yogurt, ice creams, sherbet, tarts, jellies, syrups, sauces, and cocktails. It blends well with most fruits including banana, guave, coconut cream, pineapple, papaya and mango. The dragon fruit’s mild flavor makes it a unique ingredient to give special taste to many kinds of food.

1.       The text tells us about the description of ….

a.       The sweetness of the dragon fruit flesh

b.       The dragon’s fruit skin and flesh

c.       The exotic nature of dragon fruit

d.       The dragonfruit in general

2.       How is the taste of the dragon fruit?

a.     Very sweet

b.    Mild sweet

c.     Very acid

d.    Extremely hot

3.       From the text we know to get the best taste of the dragon fruit we have to ……

a.       Wait until the fruit very big in size

b.       Pick the fruit upon its reaching maturity

c.       Wait the fruit continue to grow in size

d.       Know when the fruit develop

4.       “Dragon fruit is very appealing to consumers due to its exotic nature”. The underlined word means ….

a.       Attractive

b.       Important

c.       Unique

d.       Delicious