Below is a list of all known varieties for Cactus Pear (Prickly Pear). Click on a variety name to view more detailed nutrient and sourcing information.
| Variety Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Actual Green | A green-skinned variety. Unlike other colors, green can indicate ripeness for this type. The flavor is often described as sweet but milder than the red or yellow, similar to a kiwi or honeydew melon. |
| Actual Orange | An orange-skinned variety. The flavor is often a balance between the mild sweetness of the yellow (Amarilla) and the rich berry notes of the red (Roja). |
| Actual Purple | A variety with deep purple or magenta skin and flesh, similar to the 'Red' or 'Roja' varieties. Flavor is rich, sweet, and often compared to berries or pomegranate. |
| Actual Red | Spanish for 'Red' (Roja). A variety with deep red or magenta skin and flesh. The flavor is often the richest and sweetest of the varieties, with bold berry and watermelon notes. High in antioxidants. |
| Actual White | Spanish for 'White' (Blanca). A variety with pale green skin and translucent white or pale green flesh. Often considered one of the sweetest and most delicate in flavor, with notes of melon. |
| Actual Yellow | Spanish for 'Yellow' (Amarilla). A variety characterized by its bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh. The taste is typically very sweet, mild, and often compared to a melon, pear, or kiwi. |
| Amarilla | Spanish for 'Yellow' (Amarilla). A variety characterized by its bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh. The taste is typically very sweet, mild, and often compared to a melon, pear, or kiwi. |
| Blanca | Spanish for 'White' (Blanca). A variety with pale green skin and translucent white or pale green flesh. Often considered one of the sweetest and most delicate in flavor, with notes of melon. |
| Burbank's White | A specific cultivar developed by famed horticulturalist Luther Burbank in the early 1900s as part of his 'thornless' cactus experiments. This 'White' variant has pale, sweet flesh, often compared to watermelon or kiwi. |
| Cardona | A variety of prickly pear, often referring to the species *Opuntia streptacantha*. The fruit is typically dark red or purple, round, and has a sweet, rich, and slightly tangy flavor. It is a well-regarded variety in Mexico. |
| Cochenillifera | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Elata | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Ficus-Indica | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Green | A green-skinned variety. Unlike other colors, green can indicate ripeness for this type. The flavor is often described as sweet but milder than the red or yellow, similar to a kiwi or honeydew melon. |
| Leucotricha | Also known as Aaron's Beard cactus (*Opuntia leucotricha*). This fruit is a 'xoconostle', or acidic pear. Unlike sweet 'tuna' varieties, it is valued for its sour, zesty flavor and firm flesh. It is used as a vegetable or flavoring in salsas and stews rather than eaten raw as a fruit. |
| Megacantha | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Microdasys | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Nopalea | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Orange | An orange-skinned variety. The flavor is often a balance between the mild sweetness of the yellow (Amarilla) and the rich berry notes of the red (Roja). |
| Orange (Naranja) | A cactus pear with a vibrant orange rind and flesh. Typically has a balanced, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor, milder than the red variety. |
| Other Green | A green-skinned variety. Unlike other colors, green can indicate ripeness for this type. The flavor is often described as sweet but milder than the red or yellow, similar to a kiwi or honeydew melon. |
| Other Orange | An orange-skinned variety. The flavor is often a balance between the mild sweetness of the yellow (Amarilla) and the rich berry notes of the red (Roja). |
| Other Purple | A variety with deep purple or magenta skin and flesh, similar to the 'Red' or 'Roja' varieties. Flavor is rich, sweet, and often compared to berries or pomegranate. |
| Other Red | Spanish for 'Red' (Roja). A variety with deep red or magenta skin and flesh. The flavor is often the richest and sweetest of the varieties, with bold berry and watermelon notes. High in antioxidants. |
| Other White | Spanish for 'White' (Blanca). A variety with pale green skin and translucent white or pale green flesh. Often considered one of the sweetest and most delicate in flavor, with notes of melon. |
| Other Yellow | Spanish for 'Yellow' (Amarilla). A variety characterized by its bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh. The taste is typically very sweet, mild, and often compared to a melon, pear, or kiwi. |
| Phacacantha | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Picum-bo | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Purple | A variety with deep purple or magenta skin and flesh, similar to the 'Red' or 'Roja' varieties. Flavor is rich, sweet, and often compared to berries or pomegranate. |
| Red | Spanish for 'Red' (Roja). A variety with deep red or magenta skin and flesh. The flavor is often the richest and sweetest of the varieties, with bold berry and watermelon notes. High in antioxidants. |
| Red (Roja) | A common variety of cactus pear. The fruit is a deep, magenta-red. Has a sweet, earthy, beet-like, and watermelon-like flavor. High in antioxidants. |
| Robusta | Fruit from the *Opuntia robusta* species. It is typically large, egg-sized, with a dark red to violet skin and yellowish-orange flesh. The flavor is described as mild, fruity, and sometimes compared to papaya. |
| Roja | Spanish for 'Red' (Roja). A variety with deep red or magenta skin and flesh. The flavor is often the richest and sweetest of the varieties, with bold berry and watermelon notes. High in antioxidants. |
| Salmiana | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Stricta | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Tomentosa | This name refers to a specific species within the *Opuntia* (prickly pear) genus (e.g., Ficus-Indica, Megacantha, Nopalea). The fruit's taste and appearance vary by species but are generally sweet, seedy, and melon-like. These are often the parent species for many common cultivars. |
| Tuna | The common Spanish name for the sweet fruit (prickly pear) of the Opuntia cactus, distinguishing it from 'nopal' (the edible pad). It is a general term, not a specific variety, and encompasses all colors. The flavor is sweet and juicy, like a mix of watermelon and kiwi. |
| White (Blanca) | A cactus pear with a greenish-yellow rind and pale, white-green flesh. Often considered the sweetest variety, with a delicate, melon-like flavor. |
| Yellow | Spanish for 'Yellow' (Amarilla). A variety characterized by its bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh. The taste is typically very sweet, mild, and often compared to a melon, pear, or kiwi. |