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How to Cut Dragon Fruit - IMARKU

How to Cut Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit is not a code name for a Kung Fu movie. This is actual fruit (also called pitaya) with an appearance as surreal as it is enticing. It's a tropical fruit with intense colors and green scales that resemble a dragon's head most of the time (hence the name).

The bulb is often pear or oval-shaped. The pulp is white with very small (edible) black seeds, and although it might look like a Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme bar from a distance, it tastes like a mix of pear, kiwi, and watermelon. Moreover, it's packed with vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants to counteract free radicals, making it a great addition to anyone's healthy diet.

 

 

The fruit also comes in various presentations. There is the yellow dragon fruit (pitaya Amarilla), the red dragon fruit (pitaya Roja) that resembles a strawberry on the inside, and the pink dragon fruit (pitaya rosa) that has pink flesh like the red variant but with white pulp instead of red. Out of all of them, the red dragon fruit tastes the sweetest and has a higher amount of betalains, responsible for the red pigment.

The dragon fruit tree itself is a spectacle to look at, sporting a very "prehistoric" appeal. It's a vine-like cactus with various branches spread out in shape similar to a palm tree. It mostly grows in tropical and subtropical regions and, despite being from the cactus family, it doesn't withstand extreme temperature shifts, often showing damage at temperatures below 0º C and above 40º C.

 

 

HOW TO CUT DRAGON FRUIT

Now that we know all about the dragon fruit, it's time to cut to the chase (pun intended).

First, we should know how to pick fresh ones. The way to choose dragon fruit is by grabbing it and squeezing it slightly. If the fruit feels too soft to the touch, it's probably overripe. It should feel firm yet not too hard. Another way to know when the fruit is past its prime is to look at the color. If it has many dark streaks and blotches, it should be discarded, while a healthy, ripe fruit has smoother coloring and fewer dark spots.

Once you sort out the fresh dragon fruits, you can proceed to cut them. Cutting dragon fruit is not hard at all, owing to the softness of the outer layer. There are various ways to cut a dragon fruit and get to the "meat" as below.

 

 

BASIC CUT

Consists of making a big incision across the fruit with a sharp paring knife (although a utility knife or a chef's knife could literally "make the cut" as well) and use the peel to form a bowl from which to withdraw the pulp portions. You can then grab a spoon and slide it in through the edge of the peel to lift the flesh, in the same way, you would do with an avocado. In the absence of a spoon (if you're in the wilderness, for example), you can use your fingers.

 

WEDGE AND CUBED CUT

This cut should be made with a paring knife exclusively due to the adjust ability of the shorter blade to peel the skin off the flesh. After you peeled the fruit, slice the flesh into cubes or wedges at will. You can also begin the process by doing the basic middle cut outlined above and then slice accordingly on a cutting board. One dragon fruit, when diced, can fill up to 2 cups.

After the fruit has been cut, it's best to eat it right away or within the next 2 days. Beyond that period, you may need to transfer the portions in a Ziploc bag, seal it airtight and place it in the fridge.

As for the peel can be consumed or used for infusions, though it's an acquired taste.

 

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT KNIFE

There are 3 different knife types you can use to cut dragon fruit:

As stated before, a paring knife is ideal for dicing and slicing the fruit, while the basic cut can be done by any of the 3 types mentioned above.

Let's briefly take a look at each knife type and recommendations:

 

PARING KNIFE

Paring knives are small and possess a short blade for accurate, detailed cuts, perfect for trimming and peeling round bulbs. The Victorinox Blac 3.25, the Rada Cutlery Peeling Paring Knife, and the Good Cook 4-Piece Quick Paring Knife Set are some of the most ranked budget choices, while the Wüsthof Classic 3 1/2-Inch Paring Knife is regarded as one of the best paring knives overall, albeit pricey. The iMarku 3.5-inch likewise deserves special mention, and it's particularly great for fruits.

 

 

 

 

CHEF'S KNIFE

Chef's knives are designed for multiple kitchen tasks and don't excel in any particular one. Worthy of mention are the iMarku 8" Chef's Knife, MAC MTH-80 Professional Series 8-inch Chef's Knife, Misono UX10 Gyutou, and Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Cook's Knife.

 

 

UTILITY KNIFE

A utility knife is a bit larger than the usual paring knife but still lightweight enough to cut food items too small for a chef's knife. This is not to be confused with the retractable utility knife used in other contexts such as skinning, carving, and/or camping. Some of the most renowned utility knives nowadays include the Sunnecko 5-inch, the Wüsthof Classic 4.5-inch, and the Home Hero 5-inch if you're low on budget.

 

WAYS TO USE THE DRAGON FRUIT

Now that we know how to cut dragon fruit and extract the pulp, you can use it in a myriad of ways:

  • As a snack eaten with a spoon, after cutting it in half.
  • By adding the cubes and wedges or semicircles in a fruit salad.
  • By mixing it with other fruits in a smoothie bowl. It goes well with a lot of flavors, including coconut milk, honey, or banana.
  • By freezing it and eating it like a Popsicle.
  • By making a puree out of it and adding it to a dessert or pudding.
  • By making dragon fruit juice or shake.

    External links:

    Singapore Infopedia article

    https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_768_2005-01-11.html

    Hylocereus undatus (dragon fruit)

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/27317

    Health benefits of dragon fruit

    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dragon-fruit

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    As you graduate towards becoming a true master chef, it's important that you realize that for being consistent in cooking, there's no alternative to investing in good accessories and learning how to improve the impact of that equipment.

    You can indeed prepare dessert and veggies at a BBQ, but barbecuing is all about meat and bones. And you will require to cut the muscle fibers seamlessly, for which you will require the right BBQ knives to getting the job is rightly done.

     

     

    Selecting the right set of knives

    Every master chef should have a set of four minimum kinds of knives, including a chef's knife, a carving or paring knife, a butcher's knife, and a boning knife. With this, you can easily chop, trim, carve and slice and do whatever you want to make your barbecue look as spectacular as the taste. Indeed, knives will not impact the taste by any means, but still, there is no denying that it can help others anticipate what to expect from the first bite.

    Before we delve deeper into the various kinds of barbecue knives you will need, it's important to make it clear that there are several ways of qualifying as a knife. Moreover, you will not even have to burn a hole in your pocket for getting high-quality knives. Now let's see what are the top 4 BBQ knives ought to take their place in your kitchen:

     

    Kitchen Chef's Knife

    The range of chef's knives is devised for professionals, including culinary experts, chefs, and regular caterers. It is a multipurpose knife that can handle various tasks, including chopping, cutting, and dicing everything from fruits to vegetables to meat. The collection is also suitable when you have to remove flesh from bones or smash garlic.

     

    Coming to the craftsmanship, it involves a tough stainless steel blade measuring 8 inches. It is 2.3mm thick and has around 0.75 percent carbon for extra durability and strength. The steel blade comes with about 16 to 18 percent chrome material to ensure that the knife won't get rusted or corroded. You can also get other variants of chef's knives from Imarku that offer similar precision.

    The combined force of high-class materials and German technology has led to delivering high-quality knives for various usage. This is further enhanced by the Pakka handle, which won't slip away while cutting or chopping.

    This German-made knife is very strong and can handle a lot of difficult tasks. Moreover, you can rest assured that the knives will keep up their functionality and toughness for a prolonged span of time. The size and the weight of the knife feel extremely balanced to make sure that the knife won't feel too heavy on the hands. The knife's ergonomics helps reduce the chances of experiencing cramps and aches on the wrists and fingers.

    Since it is a multifunctional knife, you can use it for a host of culinary applications required to prepare barbecues. The fastidiously crafted kitchen knives are made of high carbon steel, with a stunning Pakkawood handle is a must-have for all.

    Pros

    • Made from high-carbon stainless steel
    • Twice as hard as other knives
    • Has a rating of 58 to 60 in the Rockwell Scale
    • Ultra-sharp edge helps in cutting anything seamlessly

    Cons

    • The user needs to be extremely careful with its sharpness

    The chef’s knife is undoubtedly the foundation of your BBQ knives and it’s going to be amongst the first tools that you pull out of your kitchen equipment. A high carbon stainless steel chef's knife is your go-to while preparing the barbecue as well. There is no harm in saying that they are efficient workhorses both prior to as well as after the grilling process.

     

    Butcher’s Knife

    Most people prefer a weighty cleaver with a good forward balance for leveraging chopping when it comes to butcher's knives. 

    The Imarku butcher's knife measures around 12 inches right from the blade's reach to the slightly angled end of the handle. The tang measures 5 inches, while the stainless steel blade measures 7 inches, implying a well-balanced knife. Moreover, weighing at 15.5 ounces, you can expect it to work effortlessly with most hands. Thankfully, you can get several butcher knives from Imarku, and all of them are best in class.

    The edge of these knives is super sharp, with the Rockwell hardness measuring at 62, and you can expect this sharpness to last for many years. Since these blades are made of high-quality German stainless steel, they can resist rust, corrosion, and abrasion while not having to dedicate a lot of your time and energy to maintain them.

    When it comes to butcher's knives, the handles also deserve a bit of attention. The pakkawood handle has a non-slip surface which can easily stand the test of time. Every home and kitchen should have at least one multipurpose knife, and it often happens that there are loads of knives in your kitchen, but when it comes to cutting through the meat, most other kinds of knives fail to do that bit. So, whether it dicing the stray veggies lying in the fridge for many days or mincing through the rock-hard part of the meat, a good quality butcher's knife could be your most favored instrument.

    Among all forms of BBQ knives, the butcher's knife is always considered the ultimate tool. And you may wonder why it is so? A high-quality butcher's knife has razor-sharp blades, and it's extremely easy to handle for regular purposes and professional cooks. These reasons form the base of why butcher's knives are considered the ultimate kitchen tool and why you should invest in one.

    Pros

    • Sturdy, sharp, and well constructed
    • Very comfortable handles built with the best materials
    • Smooth blade with mirror polishing
    • Flawless cutting angle for ultra-thin cutting
    • Wide blade for cutting all kinds of meat and bones
    • Cuts food without breaking

    Cons

    • Durability is not up to the mark

    When you have to cut raw meat, no matter whether it’s beef or chicken, you will want to have a heavy-duty and ultra-sharp cleaver at your disposal. These BBQ knives will help you chop through the bone and the sinew whole, making tough cuts easy. After all, a premium butcher’s knife is meant for making the process of butchering a breeze.

     

    Paring knives

    Paring knives need no special introduction to their versatility in the kitchen space, and they are invaluable to most chefs and ordinary cooks. These knives are equipped with a short and sharp blade, making them an ideal choice for slicing and peeling and tons of other food preparing jobs.

     

     

    Referred to as classic knives, these tools allow the chef to exert less pressure while cutting to work for long hours without causing fatigue to their hands. The Imarku range of professional pairing knives will fit rightly into your hand, and you can use it seamlessly for cutting vegetables and meat even in wet conditions. Since it has a slight swelling at the butt of the handle, the design not only helps control the blade but also offers a tactile point of reference in your hand so that you can easily figure out the orientation of the blade without even looking at it.

    The narrow handles of these knives ensure that the control point is accurate and results in precise cuts without ruining the pieces. A blade with some flex and spring is a great help when pairing or peeling vegetables or boning chicken. The Imarku paring knives provide the required flex so that you can maneuver the tip into constrained zones.

     

     

    Moreover, since pairing knives take care of a host of requirements in preparing the barbecue, the knife must come with a specialized blade profile. The Rockwell hardness level of these knives is 56+, and this top-notch sharpness will last for many years. The markup paring knives come with a spear point and a straight edge which can handle detailed tasks when it comes to controlling the tip of the knife, for special tasks like deseeding the tomatoes or deveining prawns.

    Pros

    • Corrosion and abrasion-resistant
    • High carbon stainless steel blades for smooth cuts
    • Takes care of multiple requirements
    • Very strong and durable
    • The ergonomic handle offers great maneuverability along with a comfortable grip

    Cons

    • Not recommended for dishwashers

    There will be no exaggeration if the paring knife is called the unsung hero of barbecue’ which many people overlook. The importance of a good paring knife is only felt when you need something sharp and pointed for handling the delicate cutting jobs. You will never regret investing in a high-end paring knife once you start cutting the barbecue veggies with this knife.

     

    Boning knife

    Last but not the least, a boning or fillet knife should be another crucial addition to your collection of BBQ knives. The marks range of boning knives makes it the finest choice due to its durability and matchless sharpness for easy working of all kitchen needs. You can expect a great deal of safety and performance with the premium pakkawood handle that prevents the growth of bacteria and corrosion-resistant blades. The design is engineered to perfection for the removal of homes from meat, fish, and poultry.

    The high-quality German stainless steel is adequately carbonated and comes with a Rockwell Hardness Scale of 56+. Its precision-forged from a one-piece imported premium class steel that's resistant to wear and tear. This implies you can rest assured that the sharpness of the edge will be retained for a long span before you have to consider sharing it again. The blade is hand sharpened to around 14 to 16 degrees on each side to keep up with a perfect balance in between the blade's sharpness and the maximum resilience so that you can debone, mince, and chop seamlessly.

    Overall, the range of boning knives from imarku is a beautiful addition to your culinary collection. Cutting through the bones and procuring the flesh is butter smooth with any of these knives, and the best part is that you won't require any expertise in handling it.

     

     

    Pros

    • Sharp and narrow blades for maximum precision
    • Durable and easy to clean
    • Rust free and corrosion resistant
    • Finger protection design for added safety
    • Comes with a lifetime guarantee

    Cons

    • Not a multipurpose knife

    As the name suggests, the boning knife is a great instrument for getting around the bones to carve out the meat for the barbecue. They are typically made of high carbon stainless steel, making them suitable for working with ribs, trim the fat caps, or remove the delicate fish or chicken bones. The boning knife and the chef's knife are the true staples of a good barbecue production. Moreover, these knives can also deliver uniform cuts of meat, particularly brisket.

     

    Conclusion

    If you take pride in your barbecue preparing skills or making smoked meat, you have already realized the impact of a good collection of BBQ knives.

    Sometimes, it also happens they you may think that having a single multipurpose knife can take care of all your requirements. Still, it's crucial that you consider investing in this collection of barbecue knives to handle better the ingredients commonly used in barbecue.

    Knives have evolved a lot from their predecessors of the stone age, and they are still an essential tool for grilling, which comes second to fire in the list of essential commodities for cooking. Several specialist knives are available in the market, and the four best BBQ knives mentioned above can help butchery prepare food. With a bit of care and maintenance, your BBQ knives are going to last for many years.

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