Its red, scaly skin is befitting of its name. But unlike the reclusive dragons of medieval lore, this dragon is available off the shelves of supermarkets in most large towns and cities. Imported from Vietnam, a kilogram of dragon fruit currently fetches approximately Rp100,000.

In Vietnam, as in its native homeland China, the odd-looking fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is valued for its supposed healing powers. Its white meat, which is dotted w