I Tried Red Flesh Dragon Fruit for the First Time…And It Surprised Me

Cross-sectional view of a red flesh dragon fruit, cut into two halves to reveal its vibrant magenta interior and tiny edible black seeds.

Introduction

If you've ever bought dragon fruit in India, chances are you've come across the white-fleshed variety. That's the one most supermarkets and local fruit vendors usually sell.

What many people don't know is that dragon fruit also comes in a beautiful red-fleshed variety. From the outside, both fruits look surprisingly similar, but once you cut them open, the difference is impossible to miss. One has bright white flesh, while the other reveals a deep pinkish-red interior that almost looks like beetroot.

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America. Today, it's widely cultivated across Asia, including India, and is known for its refreshing taste, edible black seeds, and impressive nutritional profile.

I had actually tried white dragon fruit around four years ago while I was living in Pune. I bought a single fruit from a local fruit market for around ₹80. Interestingly, even today, despite being in a completely different city, I still find white dragon fruit selling for roughly the same price. It felt expensive back then, and it still feels like a premium fruit today. I enjoyed trying it, but I wasn't particularly impressed by its taste.

A few years later, I discovered that there was also a red-fleshed variety.

Strangely enough, I wasn't excited to try it.

The deep reddish flesh honestly looked a little intimidating. It reminded me of beetroot—a vegetable whose taste I've never really enjoyed. Somewhere in my mind, I automatically assumed that because it looked similar, it might taste similar too. I also believed that the darker colour meant it probably contained more plant pigments or compounds that my sensitive stomach might not appreciate. Another concern I had was adulteration. Since brightly coloured fruits are sometimes artificially enhanced or dyed to make them look more appealing, I wondered whether something with such an intense red colour could be unsafe. Looking back, some of these were simply assumptions, while others were genuine concerns based on things I'd heard about food adulteration.

Another thing I assumed was that the red variety would be more expensive because it looked more exotic.

To my surprise…

It was actually cheaper.

On Zepto, Blinkit, and several other grocery delivery apps, I consistently found the red variety selling for less than the white one.

That genuinely surprised me.

The only explanation I could think of was that the red fruits were generally a little smaller and rounder, so perhaps pricing was based on size rather than rarity.

However, after reading more online, I found that some sources describe red dragon fruit as a more premium variety that often requires hand pollination, making it more labour-intensive to grow. So the price difference I noticed may simply depend on the seller, region, fruit size, or seasonal availability.

Either way…

Seeing it priced lower removed my biggest hesitation.

So I finally decided to order one.

📍 Where I Bought It

I ordered one Red Flesh Dragon Fruit through Zepto.

The fruit arrived fresh, without any bruises or damage, and looked exactly like the product photo.

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💰 Price

I paid ₹42 for one fruit.

Honestly, this shocked me.

Considering I had paid around ₹80 for a white dragon fruit several years earlier, I expected the red variety to cost even more—not almost half the price. 

Of course, prices vary depending on the city, season, and seller, but for me, this turned out to be one of the biggest surprises before I had even tasted the fruit.

👀 First Impressions

Whole red flesh dragon fruit before cutting—its outer appearance closely resembles the more common white-fleshed variety.

At first glance, it looked almost identical to a regular white dragon fruit.

The bright pink skin and green scales were familiar, but I noticed that this fruit felt slightly rounder, denser, and a little heavier than the white variety I remembered.

From the outside, I honestly don't think I would have been able to confidently tell the difference if someone had mixed both varieties together.

If you regularly buy dragon fruit from local fruit vendors, there's a good chance you've seen the red variety without even realizing it.

🔪 Cutting It Open

Fully scooped red dragon fruit with the edible flesh removed from the peel, ready to eat.

The moment I sliced it in half…

One thing I immediately noticed was how juicy it was. As soon as I cut it, deep pink juice became visible. My maid happened to see it and jokingly reacted as if it looked like blood because of the intense colour. I have to admit—it does look a little shocking the first time you cut one open.

Removing the flesh was also surprisingly easy. For one half, I used a spoon to scoop it out. For the other half, I simply pressed gently from the bottom of the skin, and the entire flesh popped out almost intact without much effort.

Compared to the white dragon fruit I had eaten years ago, this one felt softer and easier to remove. I also prefer cutting dragon fruit horizontally across the middle rather than lengthwise. Many people slice it vertically, but I find the horizontal method makes scooping the flesh out much easier.

🍽️ Taste

This was the biggest surprise of the entire experience.

Based purely on its appearance, I had expected the red variety to taste strange—or perhaps even a little earthy because it reminded me so much of beetroot.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

It was actually noticeably sweeter than the white dragon fruit I remembered.

The sweetness was pleasant without becoming overpowering, and the flavour felt richer and more enjoyable.

The white variety had always tasted fairly mild to me, with a slight tanginess and not much sweetness.

This red variety, however, had a much better balance.

Looking back, I think one reason I never tried the red variety earlier was because of my first experience in Pune. A friend had asked me whether I wanted the red or the white variety. Since I only knew about the white one and thought the red variety might be even more expensive, I chose the white fruit without giving it much thought. At the time, I was spending my father's money, so I didn't want to experiment with another costly fruit. In hindsight, I probably should have tried the red one back then too—it turned out to be the variety I enjoyed much more.

🍉 Texture

The texture was exactly what I expected from dragon fruit—soft, smooth, refreshing, and packed with tiny edible black seeds that add a gentle crunch.

The flesh almost melted in my mouth and felt incredibly refreshing, especially on a warm day.

One thing that surprised me was how filling it was.

Initially, I assumed that because the fruit looked relatively small, I'd probably finish both halves in one sitting.

Instead, after eating just one half, I already felt comfortably full.

I saved the remaining half for the next day, and it stayed fresh in the refrigerator.

🔴 Red Dragon Fruit vs White Dragon Fruit

After having tried both varieties several years apart, here's how they compared for me.

Feature	❤️ Red	🤍 White
Sweetness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Juiciness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Texture	Softer	Slightly firmer
Antioxidants	Higher (Betacyanins)	Lower
Vitamin C	Slightly higher	Good
Sugar	Slightly higher	Slightly lower
Appearance	Deep pink flesh	White flesh
My Price	₹42	₹80
Overall Preference	✅ Red	❌ White

Of course, sweetness varies depending on how ripe the fruit is, but based on my experience, I enjoyed the red variety much more. (also compare based on nutrition add more fields)

🍃 Nutrition (Approximate)

Both white and red dragon fruit are nutritious, but the red variety generally contains higher amounts of natural antioxidants, especially compounds called betacyanins, which give the fruit its vibrant colour.

It also contains:

• Vitamin C
• Dietary fibre
• Magnesium
• Iron (small amounts)
• Potassium
• Natural antioxidants : Both varieties naturally contain antioxidants. However, the red variety contains significantly higher amounts because of the betacyanin pigments responsible for its deep colour.
• Water (it's highly hydrating)

The red variety is also believed to contain slightly more natural sugars than the white variety, which may explain why I found it sweeter.

I didn't buy it because of its nutrition—I simply wanted to satisfy my curiosity—but it's nice knowing it's also a healthy fruit.

⚠️ Things Worth Knowing Before Eating Red Dragon Fruit

Although I personally experienced no side effects, I did come across a few useful things while researching.

❤️ Your Urine or Stool May Turn Pink

Don't panic.

The natural pigments responsible for the fruit's deep red colour can temporarily colour your urine or stool pink or reddish.

I personally noticed that my stool appeared slightly pink afterwards. However, I had also eaten beetroot on the same day, so I can't confidently say which one caused it. Either way, both beetroot and red dragon fruit are known to temporarily colour urine or stool because of their natural pigments.

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🌾 Eat It in Moderation

Dragon fruit contains a good amount of fibre.

Eating too much at once may cause:

• bloating
• loose stools
• mild stomach discomfort

Most people won't experience this unless they eat large quantities.

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🤧 Allergies Are Rare, But Possible

Although uncommon, some people may develop allergic reactions such as:

• itching
• skin rash
• swelling around the lips or mouth

If you're allergic to fruits like kiwi or banana, it's worth trying only a small amount first.

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🩺 Kidney Patients Should Be Careful

Dragon fruit contains potassium.

For healthy people, this usually isn't a concern.

However, people with advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or those on potassium-restricted diets should consult their nephrologist or dietitian before adding dragon fruit to their regular diet.

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🩸 Diabetes & Medications

Dragon fruit naturally contains sugar.

Although it generally has a moderate glycaemic effect, people with diabetes should still monitor their blood sugar and eat appropriate portions.

If you're taking blood-thinning medication or diabetes medication, it's always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary changes.

Personally, I didn't experience any significant side effects. At most, I may have felt slightly full or mildly acidic for a short while, but many fruits make me feel that way occasionally, so I can't confidently attribute it to the dragon fruit itself. Whatever I experienced disappeared quickly and wasn't something I'd worry about.

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🛒 How to Tell Red Dragon Fruit from White Dragon Fruit

One thing I always wondered was:

Since both varieties look so similar from the outside, I wondered if there was any reliable way to tell them apart before cutting them.

After watching farmers and fruit experts, I found a few clues. They're not perfect, but they can help.

✅ Red dragon fruit is often:

• rounder
• shorter
• slightly heavier
• brighter pink

The green leafy scales (sometimes called bracts) also tend to curl backwards a little more than on many white varieties.

That said, these aren't guaranteed rules.

The only way to know with complete certainty is to cut the fruit open.

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👍 What I Liked

• Much sweeter than I expected
• Juicier than the white variety
• Beautiful colour inside
• Very refreshing
• Easy to scoop out
• Surprisingly filling
• Cheaper than I expected

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👎 What I Didn't Like

• The deep red flesh may look intimidating to some people.
• It can temporarily stain your fingers while cutting.
• It's still considerably more expensive than common fruits like bananas, apples, or oranges.

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📌 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying

If I were buying red dragon fruit again for the first time, here's what I'd want someone to tell me.

🟣 Don't judge it by its colour—it tastes much better than it looks.

🍉 It may actually be sweeter than the white variety.

💰 Depending on where you buy it, it can even cost less than white dragon fruit.

🔪 It can be scooped out very easily with a spoon.

🚽 Don't panic if your urine or stool turns slightly pink afterwards—that's completely normal.

❤️ If you have advanced kidney disease or severe potassium restrictions, check with your doctor first.

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💭 Would I Buy It Again?

Probably not.

Even though I enjoyed the red variety much more than the white one, I still don't think it's a fruit I'd buy regularly.

Even though this turned out to be much more affordable than I had expected, I still consider dragon fruit a luxury fruit when compared with everyday options like mangoes, oranges, bananas, apples, or lychees.

More importantly, while I liked the taste, it isn't a fruit that makes me crave another bite. There are plenty of other fruits I'd happily buy again before dragon fruit.

That said, I'm genuinely glad I finally tried it.

If you've never eaten red dragon fruit before, I'd absolutely recommend trying it at least once. I found it noticeably sweeter, juicier, and more enjoyable than the white variety, and I think it's worth experiencing for yourself.

Even though I probably won't buy it again, I'm genuinely glad I tried it. It may not become one of my favourite fruits, but I'm happy I got to experience something new and finally satisfy my curiosity.

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⭐ Final Rating

Category	Rating
Appearance	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Taste	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Texture	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Juiciness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

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📌 At a Glance

📍 Bought from: Zepto

💰 Price Paid: ₹42 (1 fruit)

❤️ Would I buy it again? ❌ Probably not

👍 Would I recommend trying it once? ✅ Definitely

⭐ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is red dragon fruit sweeter than white dragon fruit?

In my experience, yes. I found it noticeably sweeter and juicier than the white variety.

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Why is the inside red?

The colour comes from natural plant pigments called betacyanins, which also act as antioxidants.

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Can dragon fruit turn your urine or stool red?

Yes. The natural pigments can temporarily colour your urine or stool pinkish-red. It's usually harmless.

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Can kidney patients eat dragon fruit?

It depends on the stage of kidney disease. People with advanced CKD or potassium restrictions should consult their doctor before eating it regularly.

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Would I buy it again?

Probably not. I enjoyed it much more than the white variety, but considering the price, there are other fruits I'd rather buy regularly.

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📚 References

The following resources helped me verify some of the factual information included in this article.

Videos

• How to Identify Red vs White Dragon Fruit (YouTube): https://youtu.be/EFIVsfYEiUg
• How to Tell Different Dragon Fruit Varieties Apart (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=594217490037556

Health References

• National Kidney Foundation
• Redcliffe Labs
• Metropolis Healthcare
• HAVIGO

(Health information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.)

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💬 Have You Tried Red Dragon Fruit?

Have you tried the red variety?

Which variety do you prefer—❤️ red or 🤍 white?

Did you also find the red one sweeter, or was your experience completely different?

If you know any reliable trick to identify a red dragon fruit without cutting it open, I'd genuinely love to hear it.

Also, what do you think about my horizontal cutting method? Most people slice dragon fruit lengthwise, but I found cutting it across the middle much easier for scooping out the flesh. Let me know how you usually eat yours!

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