Most culinary references to the “prickly pear” refer to this species. The Spanish name tuna is also used for the fruit of this cactus and for Opuntia in general; according to Alexander von Humboldt, it was a word of Taino origin taken into the Spanish language around 1500.
What is tuna fruit?
Tuna, as it’s called in much of South America, is the edible fruit of a type of prickly pear cactus. It originated in what’s now known as Mexico but grows today in dry areas all around the world, wild and cultivated.
These spiny, low growing cacti are well adapted to the alpine climate of the Andes and have many uses for the farmers we work with in Bolivia. In Bolivia, tuna serves as an alternate source of fruit where other cultivated fruits can’t thrive or irrigation is impossible. Once the spines are removed the pulp of the fruit can be eaten fresh or turned into juice.
Fruit, fodder and climate change adaptation tool: tuna is a versatile crop!
Prickly Pear: Benefits & Uses (Cactus Fruit)
FAQ
What fruit is tuna in Spanish?
What is the fruit like tuna?
What is tuna de cactus in English?
What is the name of the cactus fruit in Mexico?
What is a cactus fruit called?
And the fruits that are seasonal, are referred to as tunas or pears. The sharp, long spines actually are modified leaves that become harder as they get older. In Spanish, cactus fruit is called tunas. The fruit grows on the rounded edges of cactus paddles and has a thick skin covered in small spines.
What is a tuna cactus?
The tuna fruit belongs to the cactus genus Opuntia, also known as nopales cacti. These plants are found in large clusters of spiny topped segments, often blooming deep purple, then gradually changing to a light green hue. The plant’s native habitat is the regions that are dry in the Americas.
Is tuna cactus a superfood?
Fun fact, cactus fruits are called tunas in Spanish. It grows on cactus paddles and will typically have thick skin covered in small spines. Once you cut it open, you will get to see how soft and juicy the meat inside is, with dark round seeds. Due to its high nutritional value, some would say that tuna cactus can be considered a superfood.
Are tuna cactus seeds edible?
As a Mexican street food, vendors usually add some chili sauce to sliced tuna cactus fruit. The seeds in tuna fruit are edible, but they are quite hard. Some people choose to eat them along with the fruit, while others prefer to remove them due to their tough texture.