Pitaya, strawberry pear
pitahaya de cardón (Guatemala)
(Hylocereus undatus — Family Cactaceae)
Pitaya is the Spanish name for this fruit and for other closely related cacti.
It can be spelled in various ways and sometimes accompanied by such an epithet as ” roja” (red) or “blanca” (white) in Mexico.
The cacti bearing these fruits are indigenous to Central America; but they are now cultivated in the West Indies, Florida, and other tropical regions.
The fruit is oval to oblong and may be four inches in length.
Varying in colour, they may be bright red, peach-coloured, or yellow.
The pulp is sweet and juicy, but contains numerous black seeds. The juice makes a good drink; and the fruit can be cut in half, chilled and eaten with a spoon.
