Prickly pear also known as cactus fruit or cactus pear grows on the leaf of nopales cactus. Growing at the very edge of spiny leaf of cactus, prickly pear is oval in shape.
A ripe prickly pear can range in colour from yellow to pinkish red. A single nopales cactus leaf can grow one or more prickly pear fruit on it.
Average length of a prickly pear fruit can be 7 cm (2.5 inches) and average weight can range between 100 – 150 grams (3.5 – 5 ounces).
Scientific name of Prickly Pear
Opuntia
Other names of Prickly Pear
- Cactus Pear
- Mission Cactus
- Barbary Fig
- Indian Fig
- Tuna
- Sabra
- Nopal
- Nostle
- Cactus Fruit
Calories by source in Prickly Pear
- Calories by carbohydrate in Prickly Pear = 84%
- Calories by fat in Prickly Pear = 10%
- Calories by protein in Prickly Pear = 6%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Prickly Pear
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Prickly Pear = 60%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Prickly Pear = 19%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Prickly Pear = 21%
Nutrition facts of Prickly Pear
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 41 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.51 | GRAM | 1% |
| Protein | 0.73 | GRAM | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 9.57 | GRAM | 3% |
Detailed vitamin profile of Prickly Pear, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart.
Detailed mineral profile of Prickly Pear, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart.
Check freshness in Prickly Pear
- Undamaged skin
- Broken or moldy fruit must be avoided
- Fresh Prickly pear is firm and has no blemishes
- Bird picked prickly pear are ripe but will have damaged skin
- A ripe prickly pear will be dark yellow or red (nearly magenta) in color
Availability of Prickly Pear
- The Seasons of Prickly Pear depend on the geographical location where it is being cultivated
- India – Prickly pear season ranges from December – May
- South Africa – Prickly pear season ranges from December – April
- North America – Prickly pear season ranges from September – December
How to store Prickly Pear
- Unripe prickly pear can be stored in room temperature until it ripens and becomes reddish in color
- Avoid heat and sunlight while storing
- Prickly pears can be stored in refrigerator for 4-5 days in plastic bag or zip-lock bag
- Cut prickly pears shall be stored in air tight container and can be stored in refrigerator for 2 days
- While storing the whole uncut prickly pear, avoid washing it as water might reduce the shelf life
Complete nutrition facts of Prickly Pear
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Prickly Pear nutrition chart/infographic.
