The bright pink coloring of pitaya is one of its signature characteristics. (Erin MacLeod/Neon Tommy)

Pitaya, a variation of dragon fruit, is finding it’s way into smoothies everywhere offering great taste and many nutritional benefits.

While the terms pitaya and dragon fruit seem to be interchangable, the spineless cacti fruits share the same pink spiky exterior, key differences lie in their interiors, growth and taste.

Pitaya, grown in Mexico, Central America and South America, has a stronger, sweeter flavor and is marked by its bright pink interior. Many, on the other hand, say dragon fruit tastes bland. It has a white interior and can be found in Southeast Asia. 

Businessweek describes the taste of pitaya as a strawberry and wheatgrass blend. The Los Angeles Times suggest the taste resembles watermelon. After trying my own pitaya bowl at Paradise Bowls in Manhattan Beach, I found that the fruit has a refreshing, light tart taste to it. In comparison to acai, the flavors of pitaya are milder and not as sweet. 

Paradise Bowls opened in Manhattan Beach in January of this year. While the owners originally planned an acai inspired business, when they learned about the benefits of pitaya, they included the superfruit in nearly a third of their menu. 

Owner Justin Segal described their decision to incorporate pitaya as an easy one. “My business partner and I, we used to play baseball and eating healthy and living that healthy active lifestyle, this product just fit in to who we were,” Segal said.

Paradise Bowls receives its shipment from Nicaragua. They mix pitaya with a variety of other fruits, juices, non-dairy milks, even peanut butter, and top it off with an combination of fruit, goji berries, hemp seeds, coconut and other health boosting topping choices. 

If the fruit’s neon pink coloring and delicious taste aren't enticing enough, pitaya also offers outstanding health benefits. Pitaya and dragon fruit share the considered benefits, but the flavors and coloring of pitaya have accelerated it to superfruit status. 

It's rich in antioxidants, especially phytoalbumin believed to prevent “the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.” Some believe the fruit helps cases of diabetes by regulating blood sugar. The superfruit can also help in lowering cholesterol. Filled with vitamin C, fiber, calcium and various antioxidants, pitaya's health benefits are increasing its popularity. 

One of the main distributors of pitaya, Pitaya Plus, is using the bright pink characteristic of the fruit to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. Pitaya Plus is making a donation for every pitaya bowl and smoothie sold in its retailers during the month of October.

You can find a list of locations selling Pitaya Plus products here. 

Reach Contributor Erin MacLeod here; follow her here.