The focus of this blog will be centered around the cactus fruit, sometimes called a prickly pear. Most people don’t realize that the cactus produces an edible fruit. I didn’t initially know this either. My cactus came from cuttings from my neighbor’s yard. They are very easy to propagate. Just stick them in the ground and water for a few days. They are very hardy and drought tolerant. For those of you who may not be aware of what this variety looks like, allow me to show you.
Below is a photo of a cactus fruit from my personal landscape. As you can probably see, one of my mango trees is making a small cameo in the background of this image. It’s funny, on the outside, the cactus fruit looks a little bit like a small mango. However, it did not come from the mango tree in the background. I just thought it would be fun to take the picture this way.
You may be wondering where the cactus fruit gets its name. Well, as it turns out, the fruit actually grows from a cactus (pictured below). Originally from Latin America, the prickly pear is now popular in many areas of the world. If you don’t pick the fruit when it is ripe, it will eventually become a very beautiful flower. You can see a couple of the fruit below are starting different stages of flowering.
According to research completed by the Mayo Clinic, the prickly pear offers the following health benefits:
- treating diabetes
- improving high cholesterol
- fighting obesity
- alleviating hangovers
It is also high in fiber, antioxidants and carotenoids. Like other healthy foods, the cactus fruit contains antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
How can you tell when a cactus fruit is ripe? During the early stages of growth, the outer layer of skin will appear to be green. However, as time passes, the skin will turn color and become red or yellow. Another method to determine if a prickly pear is ripe would be to check the level of firmness. You can easily do so by gently squeezing the fruit. If it feels firm but not hard, the fruit is ready to enjoy! I can easily tell when my catus fruit turns a reddish color.
Once ripened, the prickly pear can be eaten whole. In terms of the cactus, the edible parts are as follows: the leaves, flowers, stems and fruit.
Illustrated by the photo above, flesh of the cactus fruit is soft white with tiny black seeds. It is often made into juice or fresh jams. Many people enjoy the flavor after the fruit is boiled or grilled. I like to eat fresh off the tree or sometimes in a salad. It offers some unique flavor and look to whatever you add it to.
Should you have any questions regarding the cactus fruit, please do not hesitate to ask.
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Thomas D. Marks, Esquire
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