t looks a little like something that might hatch, like a pod from another planet, or a mutant pineapple, but it's actually a climbing cactus known as a Dragon Fruit. Inside, poppy-like seeds buried in a pulpy flesh confuse the senses. Ranging from rosy pink to scarlet (variety names include Bloody Mary and Costa Rican Sunset), Dragon Fruit, or Pitaya, has flown under the radar for centuries. Native to Central and South America, it is the leading fruit export of Vietnam. Domestically, it is grown in California, Florida and Hawaii.

The flesh can be white, red, or magenta, but the red-fleshed varieties contain lycopene, a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer, heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Snapple, Tropicana, and Sobe are just a few of the labels that have incorporated Dragon Fruit into its fruit drinks. The taste has been described as melony, lemony with a combination of pear, kiwi, and watermelon; some call it a strawberry pear. It's actually best when mixed with other fruits and makes a great fruit salsa. It flowers at night, with a jasmine-like fragrance. Legend has it that the fruit popped out of the mouths of fire-breathing dragons. When the dragon was slain, the fruit was collected and presented to the emperor as an indication of victory. It was believed that those who ate the flesh would become as strong and fierce as the dragon.