This Colorful Texas Fruit Is Finally Ready for Picking

There aren't many things I look forward to about August in Texas.

It's hot, outside feels like an oven, I'm officially tired of summer. But there is one little late-summer treat that makes this time of year a whole lot sweeter: prickly pears.

Or, as I've always known them, tunas.

I LOVE these little fruits, and if you've spent years walking past prickly pear cactus without realizing there's something delicious growing on them, now is the time to pay attention!

Prickly Pear Season Has Arrived in Texas

Late summer into early fall is prime time for prickly pear fruit in Texas, with August and September typically bringing ripe fruit to cactus across the state.

Depending on the variety, those little fruits growing along the edges of the cactus pads can turn shades of red, purple and other colors as they ripen.

And honestly, I think we take them for granted.

Prickly pear cactus is such a familiar part of the Texas landscape that it's easy to walk right past one without thinking twice. Meanwhile, there's an actual fruit growing on it! A delicious one!

Yes, You Can Eat the Fruit Growing on That Cactus

If you didn't grow up eating prickly pears, here's the important part: the fruit is absolutely edible.

The fruit is also commonly called tuna in Spanish, and underneath that intimidating exterior is a sweet, refreshing fruit filled with tiny seeds.

But before this article inspires you to find the nearest cactus and start picking lunch, a quick warning:

Do NOT just grab one with your bare hands!

Prickly pear fruit can be covered in tiny hair-like spines called glochids. They may not look nearly as threatening as those giant cactus spines, but you definitely don't want them stuck in your hands.

Also, please don't start helping yourself to every cactus you see around Texas. If it's on private property, you need permission, and parks and protected areas may have rules against collecting plants or fruit.

Basically, enjoy the tunas. Just don't get stabbed or arrested in the process.

Texas Prickly Pears Deserve More Love

Maybe I'm biased because I love them, but I really think prickly pears deserve more attention.

You can peel them and eat the fruit fresh, but you'll also find prickly pear used in aguas frescas, jams, jellies, syrups, paletas, candies and even cocktails.

Meanwhile, we spend all summer talking about watermelon, peaches and strawberries while one of the coolest fruits around is literally growing on cactus across Texas.

And right now is its time to shine.

So if you've never tried a prickly pear before, consider this your late-summer reminder to finally give one a chance. Just please remember the gloves!