Dragon Fruit

‘Kamalam’ is the new name of dragon fruit given by Gujarat’s current Chief Minister named Vijay Rupani. Now, whenever you go to Gujarat you are going to buy ‘Kamalam’ and not a ‘dragon fruit’. Now the reason behind this is yet unknown to many, hence this makes content for general updating the students on ‘Why has Gujrat given American dragon fruit a Sanskrit name?’

In one media, it was found that Vijay Rupani has changed the fruit’s name on the view of the exterior part of the fruit. He said the fruit reminds him of lotus, and the American name does not go well with the fruit, this is when he decides to change the name. Well, let us know in detail about the dragon fruit and its change in name.

What is Dragon Fruit?

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Dragon fruit is a kind of tropical fruit that has become quite popular in recent years. Dragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, this is a type of cactus whose flowers open only at night time and it is also known as the Honolulu queen. This plant originates from southern Mexico and is native to Central America. But recently, this plant is grown all over the world.

The plant goes by many names, which include - pitaya, pitahaya, and also strawberry pear. These are the two most common types which have a bright red skin with green scales this resembles similar to a dragon — hence it gets the name of dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit has the most varied variety including white pulp with black seeds, though this is a less common type with the red pulp and black seed.

There is also another variety of dragon fruit which is referred to as yellow dragon fruit — this dragon fruit has a yellow skin with white pulp and with black seeds.

Dragon fruit may look exotic, but the fruit’s flavors are similar to that of other fruits. The Dragon fruit’s taste has been described as a slightly sweet fruit that resembles the taste of a kiwi and a pear.

Nutrient Benefits from Dragon Fruit – know Before you Taste One

People enjoy the fruit due to its unique look and taste, while it is evident that this fruit may provide other health benefits also. 

The Dragon fruit contains small amounts of several nutrients, which is also an ample source of iron, magnesium, and is rich in fiber.

In a serving of 3.5 ounces or 100 grams, dragon fruit can give nutritional benefits of: 

• Calories: 60

• Protein: 1.2 grams

• Fat: 0 grams

• Carbs: 13 grams

• Fiber: 3 grams

• Vitamin C: 3% of the RDI

• Iron: 4% of the RDI

• Magnesium: 10% of the RDI

As seen from the above nutritional intake, the dragon fruit has a high amount of fiber and magnesium with an extremely low number of calories, thus this makes this fruit a highly nutrient-dense fruit. 

Dragon Fruits and its Varieties

Dragon fruits come in varied shapes and colors. The type of the shapes and colors of a dragon fruit, which are briefly discussed as follows:

• The Pink skin dragon fruit with white flesh – This type is the most popular kind of dragon fruit. This is the least sweet fruit which is sold under the names of – Alice, Cosmic, Guyute, and Charlie.

• The Pink skin dragon fruit with red or pink flesh – This dragon fruit is bigger and sweeter than the white-fleshed dragon fruit which is considered as its cousin. This dragon fruit variety is sold in the bazaars under the name called – Red Jaina and Bloody Mary.

• The Pink skin dragon fruit with purple flesh – This dragon fruit comes in the name of ‘American Beauty’ in the stores.

• The Yellow skin dragon fruit with white flesh – This is yellow dragon fruit. This variety is rarely found in the market. This dragon fruit is the sweetest of all.

How Can I Eat Dragon Fruit?

When you buy dragon fruit from the stores, first wash it properly. Then peel its outer cover and cut it into preferred sections and then simply enjoy the healthy taste.  This fruit consumption is very much like eating an avocado, where you eat the flesh after discarding the skin.

Another interesting way of eating the fruit is – you can also cut it in halves and just scoop out the fleshy part with a spoon or with the help of a melon baller.

Dragon fruit is preferably eaten raw, but you can also mixer grind it like some other fruits and enjoy the treat in that manner. You can make the following out of dragon fruit:

• Cocktails.

• Desserts.

• Fish, especially cod, tuna, and mahimahi.

• Salads.

• Smoothies.

Origin of Dragon Fruit

Vietnam is the largest producer of this dragon fruit. This plant was introduced by the French in the era of 19^th century. In Vietnam, the Vietnamese call it by the name of ‘Thanh long’ which means ‘Dragon Eye’ for the Vietnamese people. From this name, the fruit became famous in English as ‘dragon fruit’.

Where is Dragon Fruit Cultivated?

The Dragon fruit is also cultivated in some parts of Latin America. This fruit is also extensively cultivated in Thailand, China, Australia, Taiwan, Israel, and Sri Lanka.

This fruit was introduced in India in the 90s period. Now, this fruit is grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This fruit is quite easy to grow, as it grows in literally any kind of soil and the water requirement is also low. 

Dragon Fruit New Name

The Chief Minister of Gujarat – Shri Rupani launched a new scheme in order to promote horticulture in the unproductive lands of the state. At the launch of Horticulture Development Mission, Rupani said “We have applied for a patent on the name of dragon fruit ‘Kamalam’. But till now the Gujarat government in India has decided to call dragon fruit as 'Kamalam'." Thereby he gave dragon fruit a new name

According to the Chief Minister, the dragon fruit is grown by the farmers of Kutch, Navsari, and Gujarat. Hence growing dragon fruit should be given a new name which was local in usage.  In his statement, he said “Although it is known as dragon fruit, it doesn't seem appropriate. The word 'Kamalam' is a Sanskrit word and the shape of the fruit is similar to that of a lotus flower, so we have decided to call it 'Kamalam'.

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In the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat which was aired on the 26^th of July 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised all the efforts of farmers of Kutch for cultivating the dragon fruits and appreciated the adoption of innovative practices, this he called the spirit of self-reliance "spirit of self-reliance".

On 6^th August in the same year, Ram Kumar who was the additional Principal Chief Conservator of the Forest Department (in the Social Forestry sector) of Gujarat Forest Department, has sent a proposal to the Indian Council of the Agricultural Research (abbreviated as ICAR) on renaming the American name dragon fruit to 'Kamalam'. 

The whole world calls this fruit ‘dragon fruit’ and even people consider it to be a fruit of China. Hence, to boost up its sale, the fruit must get a local name of its own. Thus, the name 'Kamalam' is given. 

Legal Procedures of Changing its Name

According to ICAR, this proposal of Gujarat’s government was sent to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Here the ICAR officials said that such a proposal will require total approval from the Botanical Survey of India and from the National Biodiversity Authority under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

This is to be noted that this dragon fruit never belonged to India from first, that is it is not India’s native species.  Hence international legal aspects are also required in this matter. Therefore, the opinion of BSI and NBA holds enough matters.

Did You Know?

1. Dragon fruit is better than Cheerios.

2. The fruit helps in keeping the heart-healthy

3. It also fills up the fiber intake.

4. The fruit will activate the antioxidants in the body.

5. The fruit helps in combating diabetes.

6. Consuming dragon fruit will reduce the signs of aging.

7. Treats the coloring of the hair

8. Suppresses the pain of arthritis

9. Best for acne-prone skin

10. Soothes the sunburned area.