Cacti are a type of succulent plant that are found primarily in arid regions of the Americas. There are over 2,000 different species of cactus that come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. While most people are familiar with iconic cacti such as saguaro and prickly pear, not everyone realizes that many cactus fruits, pads, and even stems can be eaten. In fact, certain cactus parts have provided vital sources of nutrients and hydration for indigenous peoples across desert environments for thousands of years.
In recent decades, edible cacti have also gained popularity in mainstream cooking. The rich flavors and unique textures of cactus add delightful character when incorporated thoughtfully into recipes. However, it is important to have a good understanding of the different edible cactus types and how to properly handle and prepare them before eating. Some cacti can also cause adverse reactions if consumed incorrectly or in excess.
This article outlines key details and culinary guidance about the most common, safest, and tastiest cacti that can be eaten. Read on to learn which cacti you should eat, which parts to use, and tips for foraging, prepping, cooking, and serving different edible cactus varieties.
Overview of Edible Cactus Types
Many different cactus species produce edible fruits and pads. However, the most common types of cacti consumed include:
Prickly Pear – The fruit and pads of prickly pear cacti are edible. There are over 200 species found across the Americas. Their pulp can be eaten raw or cooked and made into jams, drinks, candies. The spines must be removed before consumption.
Nopales – Nopales refers to the edible, tender pads (leaves) of the Opuntia cactus, which includes prickly pear. They are often cooked and eaten as a vegetable in Mexican cuisine. The spines must be carefully removed before eating.
Dragon Fruit – The fruits of certain cacti in the Hylocereus genus are known as dragon fruit or pitaya. They have leathery, bright pink or yellow skin with white or red sweet, seed-speckled pulp inside.
Peyote – The edible button-like stem tops of peyote cactus contain the psychoactive alkaloid mescaline. They have historically been used in spiritual ceremonies but are illegal in many countries.
Saguaro – The tart red fruits and edible white inner pulp of giant saguaro cacti can be made into syrups and jams.
Key Considerations for Foraging and Preparing Edible Cacti
When seeking out wild cacti to eat, it is essential to correctly identify the species as safe and non-toxic. Always exercise caution and care when handling live cacti to avoid injuries from spines, glochids, and irritating sap. Safe processing techniques should also be used to remove any dangerous parts and make the edible portions ready to eat or cook. Here are some key tips:
– Wear thick gloves when handling and use tongs to avoid spines.
– Carefully singe off spines over an open flame before peeling.
– Cut off and discard outer skin to get to the inner pulp.
– Remove any spines, hairs, and glochids from fruit or pads.
– Slice off and discard the core and seeds from fruit.
– Boil nopales pads or simmer prickly pear fruits to decrease slime before eating.
– Avoid consuming high amounts as the sap contains oxalic acid.
Delicious Ways to Eat Prickly Pear Cactus
The fruits and pads of the iconic prickly pear cactus make a versatile, tasty edible. Here are some top ways to eat both the fruits and pads after prepping:
Prickly Pear Fruits
– Raw in fruit salads or smoothies
– Made into juice, water, tea, lemonade, or cocktails
– Infused in sauces for meat, seafood, or vegetables
– Used in sorbets, ice creams, popsicles
– Cooked into jelly, jam, marmalade, syrup
– Baked into tarts, muffins, cakes, pies, or breads
– Dehydrated as candy, fruit leather, or seasoning
– Fermented into wine, vinegar, kombucha
Prickly Pear Pads (Nopales)
– Diced raw in salsas or pico de gallo
– Sauteed, grilled, or roasted as a vegetable side
– Added to omelets, tacos, burritos, or quesadillas
– Chopped in salads, slaws, or soups
– Pickled or canned
– Pureed into sauce
– Stewed as a standalone side dish
How to Eat and Prepare Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, offers a mildly sweet and refreshing flavor. Follow these simple tips for eating and prepping this tropical fruit:
– Cut in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh.
– Peel off and discard the outer skin if leathery and thick.
– Dice the white inner flesh to eat raw or blend into smoothies.
– Add cubed pitaya to fruit salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese.
– Drizzle with honey, lime, or mint as added flavor.
– Make pitaya juice or ice pops by blending with liquid and straining.
– Use as a topping on desserts like chia pudding or ice cream.
– Grill or bake fruit halves with spices and feta, ricotta, or peanut butter stuffing.
– Mix puréed pitaya into pancake batter, cakes, breads, or cookies.
– Infuse in water or cocktails like margaritas for color and flavor.
Safe Preparation of Peyote Cactus
While peyote contains the controlled substance mescaline and is illegal in many places, certain indigenous groups are permitted to use it ceremonially. If legally and properly consumed, peyote requires extremely careful preparation to avoid illness:
– Remove brown exterior skin and cut off top buttons only.
– Avoid barrel-shaped peyote bases as these contain highly concentrated and toxic alkaloids.
– Dry tops whole under shade until hard or pound into small sun-dried discs. Never consume raw or insufficiently dried peyote.
– Soak dried tops or discs fully in water overnight then simmer for at least 12 hours, replacing water 2-3 times. Insufficient boiling can cause vomiting.
– Strain and drink the boiled peyote tea. Volume consumed should be carefully controlled.
– Effects take about 1-2 hours to manifest and can last up to 12 hours. Hallucinations, euphoria, nausea, increased body temperature, chills, and sweating can occur.
– Peyote use causes dilation of blood vessels. It should always be avoided by those with cardiovascular conditions or taking antidepressants.
Cooking with Saguaro Cactus Fruit
The ruby red pulp of saguaro cactus fruits offers a tart, tropical flavor when made into syrups, drinks, and preserves:
– Halve or quarter fruits, removing seeds, to process.
– Simmer pulp over low heat with added sugar and lime juice to taste until thickened. Strain out solids.
– Use saguaro syrup as a topping for desserts, mixed into drinks, or swirled into yogurt or oatmeal.
– Cook pulp down into a thick jam consistency for use in pastries like pop tarts and danishes.
– Can, pickle, or dehydrate pieces of prepared pulp for longer storage.
– Infuse pulp in simple syrup with rum or tequila for use in cocktails.
– Blend strained juice with citrus and cane sugar into agua fresca drinks.
– Freeze sweetened pulp into popsicles, sorbets, or ice cream.
– Use as filling for empanadas along with spices and cheese.
Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
In addition to their appealing flavors and textures, many edible cacti provide nutritional value as well. Here are some of the health perks certain cactus parts can offer:
Prickly Pear
– Good source of fiber, manganese, Vitamin C, calcium and antioxidants.
– May support healthy cholesterol levels and lower high blood pressure.
– Anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and irritation when used topically.
Nopales
– Low in calories and high in dietary fiber for good digestion.
– Provides minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium.
– May help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce diabetes risk.
Dragon Fruit
– High antioxidant content from betacyanins offers anti-aging effects.
– Prebiotic fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
– May boost immunity and heart health.
– Hydrating properties help skin retain moisture.
| Cactus Type | Calories | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prickly Pear Fruit | 59 per 100g | 14g per 100g | 1g per 100g |
| Nopales | 18 per 100g | 3.5g per 100g | 1.5g per 100g |
| Dragon Fruit | 60 per 100g | 13g per 100g | 1.1g per 100g |
Potential Side Effects and Safety
Most edible cacti are safe to consume, especially in moderation. However, some precautions include:
– Avoid eating raw nopales, unripe fruit, and any cactus parts that taste bitter, as these contain higher concentrations of toxins.
– Prickly pear seeds can cause stomach irritation in some. Remove before eating fruit pulp.
– Oxalic acid in cactus can interfere with calcium absorption and aggravate kidney disorders.
– The juice and sap of some cacti are irritants. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive skin.
– Peyote contains mescaline and other alkaloids that have psychoactive effects as well as risks like increased heart rate. It should be avoided.
– Consult your doctor before consuming cactus if pregnant, breastfeeding, or on certain medications, as interactions may occur.
– Start with small servings to check for any personal intolerance or allergic reaction, especially with nopales. Discontinue use if adverse effects occur.
Conclusion
From the sweet, tropical fruit of prickly pear and dragonfruit cacti to the nutritious, pickled nopales pads, certain cactus parts can serve as exotic and healthy additions to your diet. Always properly identify the exact cactus species and prepare appropriately to minimize risks. When foraging for wild cacti, take care when handling to avoid injury from spines. With the proper understanding and precautions, fruits, pads, and other edible portions of cacti can be an exciting way to expand and enhance recipes with new flavors, textures, colors, and nutrients.
