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Cactus fruit has been eaten by the people of Mesoamerica for centuries. It is a delicious and refreshing treat, but the question on whether to eat raw or boiled depends on which type of cactus you’re eating. Raw cactus is not only good for your taste buds, but also provides you with some great health benefits. The majority of edible cacti are low in calories and high in water content. They also contain vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Some types may provide more nutrients than others. However, be careful to avoid those that have any toxic compounds like cycads (which can cause photosensitivity) or cardiopulmonary poisons (which can lead to heart failure).
So, can you eat raw cactus? Yes, but make sure you’re eating the right type of cactus. There are hundreds of cactus species out here but only a few can be eaten raw. This could either be the fruits, pads or the stem. Some notable cactus species that can be eaten raw are the Lemaireocereus marginatus, Cereus repandus and Opuntia ficus-indica.
Edible cactus comes it two basic categories; those that can be eaten raw and those that need to be boiled. This article will focus on cactus varieties that can be eaten raw. It will also be looking at how best you can eat these cacti and the main edible parts for these plants.
What does raw cactus taste like?
Before tasking any cactus raw, it is important that you first determine that it is indeed an edible cacti. There are poisonous cacti out there, so you must be careful.
That said, the taste of raw cactus varies depending on the type, but since they’re all succulent plants with high water content, chances are you’ll get a good dose of refreshing flavor. Some people say it tastes like cucumbers while others compare its freshness to that of apples or tomatoes.
For instance, raw fruits of the Cereus repandus tastes like a sour grape while its shoots taste bitter and crunchy. The Leucaena retusa is also known to have an interesting flavor when eaten raw which can either be sweet or tart depending on your preference.
How to eat Raw Cactus
For edible cactus, there are several parts of the plant that you can eat depending on the species. In most cases, the fruit and pads of the cactus can be eaten fresh. For a selected few, however, the stem and the leaves also offer a great deal of nutrients to the diet.
Common Edible Parts in Cactus:
Fruits
Some common cactus variety whose fruits can be eaten include Cereus repandus, Leucaena retusa and Melocactus communis. For cereus repandus, its fruits are sweet when ripe, but sour in the beginning. Leucaena retusa also has an interesting taste which can be both sweet and tart depending on your liking. Meanwhile, Melocactus communis is often called “Nopal” by Mexicans where it becomes a staple ingredient in many dishes like tacos or salads because of its crunchy texture.
Leaves
The broadleaf cactus or prickly pear is the most popular edible plant in North America, but there are some other species that can provide you with great nutrients if consumed raw too. For instance, the nopales (a type of pad) of Opuntia ficus-indica tastes like green beans when they’re young and transforms into a fruit with the right amount of sweetness.
Stem
The stems are the most underrated parts of edible cacti but can actually provide you with some great benefits if eaten raw! For instance, nopales (a type of pad) from Opuntia ficus-indica tastes like green beans when they’re young and transforms into a fruit with the right amount of sweetness.
Pads
Some common edible cactus variety whose pads can be eaten include Opuntia stricta, Geohintonia standleyi, Leucaena leucocephala and Stenocereus eruca. For opuntia stricta, the pads have a sharp flavor when raw and turns sweet if cooked in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Geohintonia standleyi also has a sour taste which is often compared to green apples or cucumbers while Leucaena leucocephala tastes like green beans with a hint of sweetness. Finally, Stenocereus eruca is often compared to green peppers or cucumbers when eaten raw and has a slightly sour taste.
A cactus fruit is usually eaten without any preparation. Simply wash it and eat it as is. If you’re a little more daring, try removing the spines first before eating it raw.
Raw cactus pads are usually sliced into thin strips or cubes before being eaten. You can add some salt and lemon to make your cactus strips even tastier. If you want a side dish for dinner, cut some cubes and add it to your salad or sandwich.
If you’re looking for something crunchy that can be used as a snack on the go, then raw cactus stem is perfect for you! It’s similar in texture to cucumbers or zucchinis and is a great alternative to chips. Just make sure you peel the skin before eating it raw or else your mouth will get all prickly.
Common varieties of edible cactus species
Prickly Pear cactus
This cactus is often confused with the nopales because of its flat, rounded pads. The prickly pear is ideal for making salads and fruit juices while the pads are usually cooked in water until they soften before adding them to any dish.
Can prickly pear be eaten raw?
The fruit of the prickly pear can be eaten raw, but it’s a good idea to wash them thoroughly first before eating. The best way to eat the prickly pear fruit is when they’re ripe.
Cholla cactus
The cholla has small spines on its pads which are easily removable if you peel off the skin first before eating them raw. The best way to describe this type of edible cactus variety’s flavor is “a cross between cucumber and green pepper.” They have small fruits growing from their stems which are often compared to grapes in terms of size and color.
Can cholla cactus be eaten raw?
Yes, the stem of this type of edible cactus can actually be consumed without cooking it. Just make sure you peel off the skin before eating them to prevent any discomfort in your mouth caused by its spines.
Dragon fruit cactus
Dragon fruits are mostly grown for their flowers and fruits. Its fruit is known for its distinct red outside color and delicious white flesh inside which tastes like a combination of grapes, kiwi and pineapple.
Can dragon fruit cactus be eaten raw?
Yes, the green skin on the pads are actually completely edible even without any preparation at all. Just wash it thoroughly before eating it to get rid of any dirt or pesticides that may have been used on it.
Barrel cactus
Another excellent type of edible cactus variety whose pads can be eaten raw is the barrel cactus, especially its younger stems which are covered in small spines. Most people compare their taste to green beans with a hint of nuttiness while others simply say that they are very crunchy.
Can barrel cactus be eaten raw?
Yes, this type of edible cactus can actually be enjoyed without cooking it first. Just make sure you wash its skin thoroughly to get rid of any dirt or pesticides before eating it.
Saguaro Cactus
The saguaro cactus is a classic in many traditional Mexican dishes. The skin of the saguaro cactus can be eaten raw and it’s commonly used as a substitute for lettuce when making tacos or salads.
Can saguaros be eaten raw?
Yes, this type of edible cactus variety has small spines that are easily removable if you simply peel off its skin first. You can eat it raw or cook it into any dish you like.
Peyote Cactus
The peyote cactus is known for having psychoactive properties and is one of the most important types of edible cactus variety. It’s actually a very popular type of psychedelic tea that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Can peyote cactus be eaten raw?
The short answer is no, the long answer is that it’s dangerous to eat this type of edible cactus raw because they contain a very high concentration of mescaline which can be deadly when consumed without being cooked first. San Pedro Cactus. This type of edible cactus is very popular among those who use it for its psychoactive properties.
San Pedro Cactus
San Pedro cactus is one of the most popular types of edible cactus variety that are used for its psychoactive properties. Just like peyote, it’s dangerous to eat this type of edible cactus raw because they contain a high concentration of mescaline which can be deadly when consumed without being cooked first.
Can San Pedro cactus be eaten raw?
No, this type of edible cactus variety has psychoactive properties that are best when cooked first before being consumed. Eating them raw without cooking them will definitely cause some discomfort in your stomach area at the least while it could be fatal at the worst.
Conclusion
Eating raw cactus is an ancient practiced that has been passed on from generation to generation. While it’s fine to eat raw cactus variety like barrel and saguaro, the rest contain psychoactive properties that are best when cooked first before being eaten or they can be downright deadly if consumed without cooking them at all. This said, the varieties that can be eaten raw offers a lot of health benefits that can’t be found in other types of food so it’s no wonder why they have been a staple in the diets for people all over the world.
Last update on 2023-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
