The cactus is a desert plant that can tolerate extreme temperatures and low water supply for a long time. These fleshy green plants with sharp thorns come in different shapes and sizes.
So is the cactus a vegetable or something else? A cactus is a vegetable and a fruit because a person can eat the fruits, stems, and leaves. But it is important to note the difference between poisonous and edible cactus species.
Different types of cacti are grown as indoor or outdoor ornamental plants. We recommend that you check the cactus species for toxicity and safety before you grow it. We wrote this article to help you differentiate between edible and poisonous cactus species.
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Is the cactus a vegetable or a fruit?
The fruit is a fleshy part of the plant with seeds. On the other hand, a vegetable is any part of a plant that can be eaten without causing any problems. A cactus is a desert plant that produces flowers, fruits, and leaves.
The fruits, stems and leaves of cacti are edible. But consumers should take precautions, as some species of cacti are poisonous. The cactus of the genus Opuntia produces pads and edible fruits.
We recommend that you only eat fruit from other cactus species to avoid mouth irritation and other stomach problems. The cactus is a fruit and a vegetable, as the plant parts and fruits of the prickly pear can be eaten. (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
Can you eat a cactus raw or cooked?
Edible cacti are considered both fruits and vegetables. These cactus species can be eaten raw or cooked, although they have different flavors. You can choose the cactus shape that best suits your tastes and preferences.
Raw cacti are eaten as fresh salads after washing and strategic cutting. We recommend removing sharp bones and tough skin before eating raw to avoid pricking your gums or tongue.
A cooked nopal has a smooth, crispy texture similar to a green chili, as cooking tends to weaken the cellulose fibers. Shallow roasting, roasting, baking, and sautéing are some of the many methods of preparing cooked nopales.
Cacti are commercially available canned or raw to suit different tastes and preferences of people. The canned cacti come with a container of sugar syrup which provides additional flavors. (Source: University of Arizona)
Is it safe to eat cactus raw or cooked?
Cacti are known for their health benefits and nutritional values. Cactus fruits and pads help prevent high cholesterol and infections.
Cactus and pads, raw or cooked, do not leave a bad taste in the mouth like these traditional medicines. Be sure to distinguish between edible and poisonous cacti.
So is it safe to eat cactus raw or cooked? A cactus toad and the fruit are edible as they contain nutritional ingredients. They can be eaten raw or cooked according to individual taste and preference.
Cactus flowers are also safe and edible. Most Native Americans prefer to boil young cactus flowers for eating and drinking, as the high fiber content aids in the digestion process. (Source: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology).
Different types of edible cacti with fruits.
If you’re looking to add edible cactus species to your garden, you’ve come to the right place. Here is a detailed list of cactus species that are safe for consumption:
saguaro cactus
The Saguaro cactus is known for its edible fruits and seeds. Fruit can be eaten fresh or blended to make juice. Another option is to dry the fruit for future consumption.
Saguaro fruit can also be used to make jam, wine, and syrup. The tiny black seeds can also be dried and pulverized to make nutty porridge. (Source: Saguaro National Park).
Native Americans extract the oil from the seeds of the edible saguaro cactus and use it to prepare certain dishes. He is from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.
barrel cactus
The barrel cactus has large, stiff spines that are dangerous. Cactus species also have flowers, fruits, small black seeds, and edible pads. (Source: British)
We recommend roasting and grinding the black seeds before eating them. Raw seeds have a neutral flavor, which is not suitable for adding to flatbreads.
The fruits of the Barrel cactus have a tart, lemony flavor. Additionally, they lack glochids like other cactus fruits, making them easy to handle and eat.
dragon cacti
Native Americans in Central America worship dragon cactus species for their flowers, fruits, and edible stems. The fleshy stalks can be tough if not stirred to soften them.
The flavor of dragon cactus fruit ranges from neutral to slightly sweet. Dried dragon cactus flowers are suitable for making hot drinks and making soup bowls.
We recommend cutting the fruit through the inedible skin to eat the fleshy interior. Dragon fruits are rich in vitamins A and C. (Source: University of Guam).
cacti chola
It is a kind of cactus with edible flowers and fruits. The leaves or stems are inedible due to the odd taste and stiff spines. (Source: New Mexico State University).
Cholla buds are rich in calcium, which promotes bone and muscle development. We recommend eating cholla hearts with beans or adding an antipasto salad.
Prickly pear
Cactus species belong to the genus Opuntia with edible fruits and pads. Nopales and nopal fruits are readily available in supermarkets.
We recommend that you remove the sharp spines from the pads before eating. Ripe prickly pears have a sweet flavor. Peel the fruit to remove the glochids that irritate the skin.
List of poisonous cacti not to eat
Most species of succulent cacti contain acidic compounds that are difficult for the human liver to assimilate. Additionally, they contain alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Below are three types of poisonous cacti that are not safe to eat:
peyote cactus
It is also called Lophophora williamsii. The peyote cactus is a poisonous species that is not safe to eat due to its high content of psychedelic alkaloids.
The effects of peyote poisoning include nausea, excitement, vomiting, and hallucinations. The poisoning effect can be fatal in case of overdose.
San Pedro cactus
It comes from the Andes mountains and can cause psychoactive effects when ingested. It also contains psychedelic alkaloids, dangerous for humans.
The fruits of the San Pedro cactus can cause hallucinations, abdominal pain, tremors and palpitations. These side effects can be fatal for children and young adults.
Bolivian torch cactus
The cactus species is also known as Echinopsis lageniformis. The high level of toxicity and psychedelic side effects make them inedible.
The Bolivian torch cactus also contains high levels of mescaline which can cause visual and auditory hallucinations if ingested.
my last thoughts
If you’ve read this far, we can assume you know that cacti are fruits and vegetables. We hope you can also recognize the edible and inedible cactus species in our list above.
Eating cacti, seeds, pads and flowers has nutritional benefits. These components help lower cholesterol, improve digestion, promote weight loss and reduce inflammation.
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