HOW TO ENJOY THE DRAGON FRUIT ?

HOW TO ENJOY THE DRAGON FRUIT ?

Dragon fruit is a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia (especially in Vietnam), Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. The plant is actually a type of cactus, and the fruit comes in 3 colors: 2 have pink skin, but with different colored flesh (one white, the other red), while another type is yellow with white flesh. Dragon fruit is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, plus fiber and antioxidants.

Dragon fruit tastes wonderful! - sweet and crunchy, with a flavor that's like a cross between kiwi and pear.

Step 1 - Choose a ripe dragon fruit: look for bright, even-colored skin. If the fruit has a lot of blotches, it may be over-ripe (a few is normal). Another sign of over-ripe dragon fruit is a very dry, brittle brown stem, or brown on the tips of the "leaves". Hold the dragon fruit in your palm and try pressing the skin with your thumb or fingers - it should give a little (like a ripe kiwi), but shouldn't be too soft or mushy. If it's very firm, it will need to ripen for a few days.

Step 2 : Cut the dragon fruit

Step 3: Open the Dragon Fruit

Cut through to the other side, so that you can separate the fruit into 2 sections. Inside the flesh may be white or red - both will have tiny black edible seeds, just like kiwi fruit.

Step 4: Separate the Flesh from the Skin.

There are various ways to prepare dragon fruit for eating - this is just one way. Run a tablespoon around the circumference of the first section to separate the flesh from the skin.

 

 

Step 5: Lift Flesh out of the Skin.

Now lift the flesh out of the skin and place it on the cutting board. Reserve the skin for serving (as in step 8), if desired. Note that the skin is NOT edible. Do the same for the other half.

 Step 6: Remove Skin from Flesh.

Turn the mound of flesh over, checking for any residual pink skin. Slice this off.

Step 7: Slice up the Dragon Fruit.

Now you can slice up the flesh. Cubes work well for eating the fruit fresh.

Step 8: Enjoy Your Fresh Dragon Fruit a Variety of Ways!

And enjoy the Dragon Fruit!

Eating Tips: Aside from eating fresh, dragon fruit makes excellent juice as well as frozen drinks (dragon fruit is mainly composed of water, so it's easy to blend or process). Dragon fruit also makes an excellent addition to fruit salads . ENJOY !!!

6.860 hectares of dragon fruit granted VietGAP certificate.

BTO – Since the early this year, the whole province has had additional 692 hectares of new dragon fruit growing area distributed in Bac Binh district (102 hectares), Ham Thuan Bac district (450 hectares), Ham Thuan Nam district (70 hectares) and La Gi town (70 hectares), bringing the total area of dragon fruit in the province to 20,041 hectares.

After 6 months of implementing the program of clean dragon fruit production, there have been 427 hectares of dragon fruit granted certificate of VietGAP, achieving 53 percent of the year plan. Remarkably, Ham Thuan Bac is leading by 230 hectares certified as VietGAP standards. So far, the total number of households receiving VietGAP certificates in the province is 8,106 with the area of 6,860 hectares, attaining 98 percent over the assigned plan of 2013.

Author: My Thien

Source: Binh Thuan Newspaper

http://www.binhthuandragon.com

New dragon fruit variety with reddish purple flesh to be planted broadly in Binh Thuan

BTO- Currently, only white fleshed and red fleshed dragon fruit varieties are being planted extensively in Binh Thuan province. Somewhat, they have not met the demand for diversified products of domestic and overseas markets. For this reason, scientists of Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) have successfully made sexual hybridization between red-fleshed and white-fleshed dragon fruit varieties to generate reddish-purple fleshed dragon fruit.

New dragon fruit variety with reddish purple flesh to be planted broadly in Binh Thuan

It is remarkable that the newly-hybridized dragon fruit variety is able to flower and fruit all year round, with plump cacti and tasty fruits. Its fruit has egg or oblong egg shape with nice skin, green “leaves” and reddish purple flesh. Particularly, this new dragon fruit variety is nearly free from pests, bringing a significant advantage to farming.

To prove the strong point of reddish purple fleshed dragon fruit tree, SOFRI’s researchers have conducted experiments on its distinctions, homogeneousness and value by taking pilot cultivation in many localities (Tien Giang, Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces) and attained satisfactory results. In detail: after 16-month-cultivation, the productivity of reddish-purple fleshed dragon fruit trees reached 14.54kg/tree (main crop) in Tien Giang province, 11.61kg/tree in Long An province, and 4.89 kg/tree in Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Chairman of Binh Thuan provincial People’s Committee, who took notice of the economic value of reddish purple fleshed dragon fruit variety, has recently given a nod to Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on implementing the section of farming the reddish purple fleshed dragon fruit variety developed by SOFRI on dragon fruit development areas from 2013 onwards. This section belongs to the project “Quality and safety enhancement of agricultural products and biogas development program in Binh Thuan” (QSEAP).

Hopefully, the new dragon fruit variety with reddish purple flesh will open up a promising export product with high economic value for Binh Thuan.

Author: Phuong Lan

Source: Binh Thuan newspaper

http://www.binhthuandragon.com

Co Thach seven-color stone bank

VietNamNet Bridge – Visiting Bình Thuan province, you should visit Co Thach tourist area, which is famous for the Hang temple, wild nature and the seven-color stone bank.

Co Thach Beach is located in a quiet place in Binh Thanh Commune, Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province, about 90km from Phan Thiet City.
Like other beaches of Bình Thuận, Co Thach sea is blue, limpid with quite strong waves. The most special thing of this beach is a bank of seven-color stones. The characteristics of this stone ground is due to the impact of tide, sea currents, sea water ... stones of different sizes and different colors are push from the sea to the shore.

Co Thach seven-color stone bank

This rocky bank had been formed for hundreds of years, with a length of about 0.9 km and a width of 200-300m and a stone reserve of 243,900m3. The original shapes and colors of stone here attract the eyes of visitors. Under the waves and sunlight, the stone bank shines and stones look like jewels.
Co Thach is also attractive to visitors by its huge rocks, which are attached to many legends. The rock bank is surrounded by a wild yellow sand bank named Bai Tien. According to legend, this place was the “resort” of fairies. Near the beach is the Hang (Cave) Pagoda.

P. Linh

Source: VietnamNet English

http://www.binhthuandragon.com

What is Dragon Fruit? - Reboot with photos designed - Thanh Long, ai cũng biết và ...

Vegetable, fruit exports to US to hit US$1 bln in 2013

Vietnam expects to earn US$1 billion from exporting fruit and vegetables to the US market by the end of this year.

According to the Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI), there is an increasing demand for imported fruit in foreign markets, including the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan.
Dr. Nguyen Huu Dat from the Department for Plant Protection said Vietnamese dragon fruit has great opportunities to enter the US market. Since Vietnam was allowed to market this fruit in the US, the export volume has increased sharply from 100 tonnes in 2008 to 1,200 tonnes last year.

Vegetable, fruit exports to US to hit US$1 bln in 2013

  This year, dragon fruit exports to the US are likely to reach 2,000 tonnes as the export volume has doubled in the first half of this year. Other markets like Japan and the Republic of Korea also saw a 25% increase over the previous year, Dat said.
Vietnamese rambutans are also favoured in the US, although the price of the Vietnamese fruit is triple that of Mexico (about US$15/kg). In 2012, about 350 tonnes of Vietnamese rambutans were shipped from Vietnam to the US, earning US$3 million.
Over the past few years, Vietnam’s vegetable and fruit export turnover has increased considerably, from US$235 million in 2005 to US$826 million in 2012.
Vietnam plans to boost exports of mangos to Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. It is also completing procedures to ship other types of fruit, such as litchis and longans, to these promising markets.

Source: VOV online

http://www.binhthuandragon.com

Ta Cu tourist area in an effort to “lure” and retain sightseers

BTO – Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda has its over 140 years of existence with much antique architecture amid the natural and pristine mountain landscape. Before 2007, there was no telpher line, so pilgrims had to walk along a nearly 2.000 meter-zigzag and steep path. Until 2007, a modern technological telpher line including 25 cabins were invested by Ta Cu pagoda Tourism JSC.

Accordingly, it takes only 10 minutes for visitors to approach the pagoda while experiencing an exciting feeling of flying and watching the primeval forest and vast dragon fruit orchard on cable. In the meantime, the infrastructure, recreational area, souvenir house, food and drink stalls were gradually emerged”, Mr. Nguyen Phi Long – director of Ta Cu Mountain Tourism JSC said.

Frequently, the company has built three more restaurants in order to meet customers’ needs. In addition to food-serving Huong Duong and Thuy Ta  restaurants located at the foot of the mountain, Thien Thai restaurant is situated on the high mountain to serve the staying-visitors. As for Mrs. Tran Thi Thu Thuy (visitor from Tay Ninh province), going to pagoda at the beginning of the year is essential, significant and brings lots of good luck to the family. Therefore, she immediately set off for Binh Thuan when she first heard about this famous Ta Cu pagoda. When setting foot at Ta Cu Mountain, she was so surprised at the architectures bearing spiritual cultural values.  

The number of sightseers has been increased from 15 to 30% for 10 years of operation. According to incomplete statistics, Ta Cu Mountain received nearly 35 thousand tourists (excluding the number of tourists remaining at the foot of the mountain and climbing up the mountain on foot), an increase of 10% compared to the previous Tet festive season. Besides renovating the necessary work items, the business establishments have made provisions for a civilized lifestyle. As a result, the material and technical infrastructures are upgraded to facilitate sightseeing and pilgrimage, etc. Accordingly, the annual revenue of the tourist area has surged by 15 – 20 per cent.

In the coming time, Ta Cu Mountain Tourism JSC plans to organize eco-tourism model and attract investors to exploit more natural characteristics of this location. At the same time, it also tries to seek local unique tourist products that can lure and retain visitors, Mr. Long added.

Hopefully, with the business ideas above, Ta Cu Mountain Pagoda is expected to be an ideal space for eco-tourism and traditional tourism of Binh Thuan in particular and Viet Nam in general.

Source: My Thien (source; Binh Thuan Newspaper)
 http://www.binhthuandragon.com

“Cha lui” – a specialty of La Gi town

BTO - If Phan Thiet people take pride of Quang style noodle, a Vietnamese noodle dish that originated from Quang Nam province in central Vietnam, La Gi people also own an extraordinary recipe that makes diners never forget its flavor – That is “cha lui’’ dish.

“Cha lui” – a specialty of La Gi town

At first, “cha lui” was created by Mrs. Can, a resident of quarter 3, Phuoc Loc ward. Its material mainly consists of fresh shrimp and bacon. After marinated the two ingredients with spices, then we use a blender and a big mortar to puree and pound the mixture two times or more so that the shrimp and bacon can be intertwined and fine. It is so delicious to put the mixture in the middle of each sliced rice paper and roll it in the shape of a pipe. Finally, we use a sharp stick penetrating through the roll, then put it on a gridiron above fired furnace for baking.  As soon as the inside ingredients is cooked and the outside rice paper gains the right crispy level, pull it out of the oven. Remember not to leave the coal so over-fired that the roll can be burnt, therefore its natural greasy sweetness can be maintained. In order to make the “cha lui” dish more delicious, it is necessary to serve with salad and sauce, two minor dishes but extremely important to “cha lui”. Salad here refers to fresh vegetable, sliced unripe mango, star fruit and cucumber. Regarding to sauce, it must contain enough all ingredients such as: chilly, tamarind, crushed peanut. In general, the qualified sauce has to obtain the hot, sour, sweet and tasty flavor. The dish offers a cheap price at around VND 10,000 – VND 30,000 per portion.

“Cha lui” is originated from La Gi town and gradually appears in many provinces/cities across the country with the brand name “Cha lui La Gi”. For instance, gourmets can visit the following addresses to enjoy ‘cha lui La Gi” at 385 Quang Trung street, ward 10, Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh city or Huynh Van Nghe street, Buu Long area, Bien Hoa city. Moreover, “Cha Lui’ is also available for sell at other municipal provinces including Hue, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, etc.

Right at La Gi town, there are a lot of restaurants serving “cha lui” in every afternoon and evening. Especially, the youth are likely to get together at the restaurant located diagonally at the corner of Vocational Training Center in Tan An ward. Currently, this dish comes into fashion among the youth, particularly; some of them posted the image of this strange and tasty dish on Facebook, Zing News, Yume, diendannaunuong, foody, youtube...  to disseminate it all over the country and the world.

My Thien (Source: Binfh Thuan Newspaper)
http://www.binhthuandragon.com/en/news/Historical-Cultural/Cha-lui-a-specialty-of-La-Gi-town-144/

Man makes pictures from pebbles

TO - Iridescent rocky expanse (Binh Thanh commune-Tuy Phong district - Binh Thuan Province) stretches for 1.5 kilometers along the coast. Its thickest layer is about 2 meters containing millions of multi-shaped and multicolored pebbles with various forms.

Mr. Pham Quang Phap, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, has been dubbed “the man who gives the soul to the stone”. At his house, we easily see several pictures made of pebbles describing the map of Vietnam, One-Pillar pagoda, calligraphic words, or many landscapes…

Especially, Mr. Phap carefully arranged pebbles to make a picture describing a poem of “Prison Diary” by President Ho Chi Minh in Han script. The rocky expanse in Tuy Phong has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center (Vietkings) as “rocky expanse with the most colorful and diversified in shape in Vietnam”. Currently, this location attracts a lot of visitors.

Iridescent rocky expanse along Binh Thanh beach.

Millions of pebbles with various shapes and colors.

 

Everyday, Mr. Pham Quang Phap comes to the beach  to collect pebbles.

 

Mr. Phap is making a picture from pebbles.

 

A picture presenting a poem of “Prison Daiary”.

 

Phuong Lan

Source: Binh Thuan Newspaper

http://www.binhthuandragon.com/en/news/Historical-Cultural/Man-makes-pictures-from-pebbles-163/

Importance of eating a Pitaya/ Dragon fruit

Pitaya Fruit, Pitahaya Fruit or commonly known as the Dragon fruit is among the most nutritious and wonderful exotic fruits. It is a favorite to many, particularly people of Asian origin. It features a mouth watering light sweet taste, an intense shape and color, not forgetting its outstanding flowers. In addition to being tasty and refreshing, this beautiful fruit boasts of a lot of water and other vital minerals with varied nutritional ingredients.

   Due to its vital nutrients, the Pitaya fruit is suitable for all diets as it supplements fiber which is best for laxative and the liver. Similarly, people who have high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity have attested to the fruit’s goodness. Recent findings show that if an obese person eats a Pitahaya fruit on a regular basis, it naturally reduces the weight considerably, creating a well balanced body without compromising on the individual’s health.

   Pitahaya fruits are highly concentrated with Vitamin C, minerals and boasts of high fiber content. The following table shows a characteristic nutritional value of the dragonfruit.

Equally available in affluent in a dragonfruit is phytoalbumins. Basically, these nutrients are vital and known world over for the antioxidants they possess which usually help in the prevention of the formation of free radicals that cause cancer.

Fiber	0.9g
Fat	0.61g
Ashes	0.68g
Carotene	0.012g
Water	83.0g
Phosphorus	36.1mg
Ascorbic Acid	9.0mg
Protein	0.229g
Riboflavin	0.045mg
Calcium	8.8g
Niacin	0.430mg
Iron	0.65mg

Importance of eating a Pitaya fruit

1. Carotene helps maintain and equally improve the health of the eyes
2. The fiber enhances digestion in our bodies
3. The fiber equally reduces fat
4. The protein component of the pitaya fruit enhances the body’s metabolism
5. Calcium reinforces bones and aid in formation of healthy teeth
6. Vitamin B2 acts as a multi vitamin to recover and improve loss appetite
7. Vitamin B1 assists in production of energy as well as metabolizing carbohydrates
8. Vitamin B3 lowers bad cholesterol level and enhances the appearance of the skin by moisturizing and smoothening it.
9. Vitamin C ensures bruises and cuts heal faster and improves the general immune system of our bodies
10. Phosphorus aids in tissue formation. 

Source from - http://www.vietnam-dragon-fruit.com/index.php?tkw99=quality

Biochemical Ingredients And Nutrition Of Dragon Fruit

Biochemical Ingredients And Nutrition Of Dragon Fruit
Ingredients	Mg/100g of fruit pulp	Nutrition	Mg/100g of fruit pulp
Liquid	85.3	Vitamin C	3
Protein	1.1	Niacin	2.8
Glucose	0.57	Vitamin A	0.0111
Fructose	3.2	Calcium	10.2
Sorbitol	32.7	Iron	6.07
Carbohydrate	11.2	Magnesium	38.9
Fiber	1.34	Phosphorus	27.5
Ash	0.56	Potassium	27.2
Energy (Kcal)	67.7	Sodium	2.9
Source: Department of Binh Thuan Agriculture and Development Rural

Phan Thiết - Cá Mai salad

There is a dish best "Phan Thiet" and is extremely attractive fish salad ( Cá Mai) is sure not everyone was enjoying. Raw fish may be made with a variety of fish such as herring, carving, cleaning fish, spring fish ... but not as good as any kind of fish is not fishy Cá Mai for fresh meat. As the name implies, fish mai delicate slender, about equal to the index finger, covered with a layer of sparkling silver-white scales.

Phan Thiết - Cá Mai salad

Very fresh fish flakes had bought, cut off the tail and abdomen breast, spinal withdrawal re-done as the vinegar and squeeze it dry. People like to eat less fat, then add chopped bacon is that there was a raw fish dish you wanted.

But if only that they may not be good. By also an "additive" is important sauces. Phan Thiet fish sauce ( nước mắm) is the land should be used in salad fish sauce apricot and more sophisticated techniques. Garlic, chilli, seeded nine stab me with fine sugar. Pounding roasted peanuts, powdered gold, porcelain few ripe bananas, all the air with pure fish sauce into a viscous sauce sweet, sour, sweet, salty flavor and sea.

Cá Mai salad need some fresh vegestables: lettuce, basil back, beating the fish, corn, cilantro girls with banana ( the one still can not eat like normal way when we eat banana), star fruit, thinly sliced cucumber.

By this time the new thin rice paper to take effect: we packed fish, vegetables neatly into the roll, put sauce that enjoy the sweet taste of fresh fish, the fat of peanut, taste the sauce along with strong fresh taste of green vegetables. Females usually have more in the last months. This opportunity to Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, a beach, where tourists can taste the fish apricot salad of local tradition.

Author: Su Cao

Source: Binh Thuan Today

Markets ripen for dragonfruit

Dragon fruit has taken the lead in Vietnamese fruit exports, recording the highest growth and value last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Exports were worth about 150 million USD, an increase of more than 40% over 2011 and comprised about 45% of the country's total fruit exports.

Vietnamese-grown dragon fruit is now sold in more than 30 countries and territories.

Exports to China more than doubled in volume (107%) and value (176.5%). The Korean rates were 136% and 114%, respectively.

Besides traditional markets in China, Thailand, Indonesia and Holland, Vietnamese dragon fruit has now penetrated Chile, Brunei and Greenland.

The average export price was at 539.5 USD per tonne, 6% higher than last year. The highest prices were 4,500 USD per tonne to Russia, and 3,600-3,630 USD per tonne to Japan, 2,760 USD to the US, 2,160 USD to Canada and 2,100 USD to Britain.

China was the biggest dragon fruit importer from Vietnam, however, price were lowest at o­nly about 396 USD per tonne.

In August, dragon fruit became the first Vietnamese fruit allowed to be shipped directly to the US without prior radiation tests. The tests are now held after arrival.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has also recognised "Binh Thuan dragon fruit" as the name for fruit from Binh Thuan Province. It is the country's largest dragon-fruit producer with total planting of more than 16,000ha and an output of 600,000 tonnes per year.

According to the ministry, dragon fruit will continue to prosper this year. However, to expand markets, more fruit must meet international standards, such as GlobalGAP, VietGap and EuroGap.

According to Tran Ngoc Hiep, director of Hong Hau Dragon Fruit Farm Company Ltd in Binh Thuan Province, exporters should complete production processes according to international standards and then transfer these advanced techniques to growers.

Tran Huu Danh, director of Long Viet Company in Tien Giang Province said exporters must be careful to maintain quality and prestige.

The GAP Agriculture Joint Stock Company recently begun to export dried dragon fruit to the US, creating an opportunity for value adding.
 

VIR

Nearly 220 hectares dragon fruit of Binh Thuan reach to GLOBALGAP standard

Nearly 220 hectares dragon fruit of Binh Thuan reach to GLOBALGAP standard

During 12 months (from May, 2011 to May, 2012) of implementation, 3 dragon fruit farms in Ham Thuan Nam district, Ham Thuan Bac district and Bac Binh district have participated in the model with a total area of 63 hectares.

Accordingly, they have been granted certifications for producing dragon fruit in accordance with GlobalGap standards (the 4th version). The average productivity of these 3 farms is 25 tons/ha.

 

Previously, when beginning to implement the project, the consulting unit had carried out surveys of dragon fruit growing households to determine the conditions of human resources and set up the quality management system corresponding to GlobalGap standards. At the same time, the unit also trained dragon fruit growers in methods to cultivate dragon fruit towards the GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) pattern and use plant protection drugs effectively and safely;  connected dragon fruit growers with scientists to help them grasp the techniques of agricultural production, agricultural product processing and preservation….

Author: Phuong Lan

Source: BInh Thuan

Exports Dragon fruit increasing to U.S market.

(TBKTSG Online) - Tiến sĩ Nguyễn Hữu Đạt, Giám đốc Trung tâm kiểm dịch thực vật sau nhập khẩu 2 (Cục bảo vệ thực vật), cho biết hiện nhu cầu nhập khẩu trái cây của Việt Nam ở một số thị trường cao cấp như Mỹ, Nhật Bản, Hàn Quốc, Đài Loan… đang rất lớn, điển hình là thanh long xuất vào thị trường Mỹ.

Exported Increase Dragon fruit to U.S market. ( Photo by TC)

By Dr. Nguyen Huu Dat -  Director of Center Quarantine after import 2, He said at the moment, demand for imported fruits of Vietnam in some of top markets as U.S, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan...are very large, specially is dragon fruit export to U.S market.

“Năm 2013, nhiều khả năng xuất khẩu thanh long vào Mỹ sẽ đạt 2.000 tấn vì đến cuối tháng 6-2013 xuất khẩu vào Mỹ đã tăng gấp đôi so với cùng kỳ năm ngoái. Riêng xuất vào Nhật Bản và Hàn Quốc đều tăng 25% so với cùng kỳ năm ngoái”, ông Đạt cho biết.

Year 2013, The most likely export dragon fruit to U.S market will reach to 2.000 tons, coz, end of Jul 2013, we exported to the U.S has double over the same period last year. Particularly export to Japan and South Korea were up by 25% compared to the same period last year, "he said Dat.

   

“Dự kiến năm 2014, xoài của Việt Nam sẽ xuất vào Nhật Bản, Đài Loan, Hàn Quốc và tháng 9 này sẽ xuất khẩu thanh long vào New Zealand. Hiện nhãn, vải, vú sữa cũng đã hoàn tất việc phân tích nguy cơ dịch hại và các thủ tục pháp lý…, sẵn sàng xuất khẩu khi có quyết định xuất khẩu vào những thị trường cao cấp trên”, ông Đạt cho biết.

"It is expected in 2014, Vietnam will export mangoes to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and September this dragon fruit exports to New Zealand. At this time - Logan, lychee, breast milk also completed a pest risk analysis and legal proceedings ..., ready for export when a decision on the export market premium on, "he said Dat.

Trung Chánh
Theo TBKTSG Online