Grapefruit Discovery
Grapefruit, a hybrid between the Pomelo and the Sweet Orange has been very popular since the late 19th century. It was actually first discovered in 1750 by the Reverend Griffith Hughes and then referred to as the forbidden fruit. The reason for calling it the forbidden fruit was that it was found while searching for the original tree of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, despite its discovery it did not gain popularity till the end of the 19th century. In this blog we’ll discuss different types of grapefruits.
Grapefruit has also been given the name due to the way it grows on the trees. They tend to grow in bunches similar to the way the grapes are grown. The farmers saw this and started calling it grapefruit.
The name has stuck and till toady these citrus fruits are known as grapefruits.
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit that is found in red, pink, yellow and white colors. The color usually refers to the flesh of the fruit and not the rind as is the case in most fruits. The juicy flesh of the grapefruit is enclosed in a thick skin that is usually orange or yellow in color. Some of them even have dark green skin with a white, juicy flesh.
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Grapefruit Health Benefits
Grapefruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C and dietary fiber. Regarded as one of the 20 best foods to eat at breakfast, grapefruits are a great snack with very few calories. Extremely high in water content, it has the ability to fill you up and provides the hydration your body needs to function properly.
It can speed weight loss, lower bad cholesterol, pump up your immune system, help control blood sugar and may even prevent cancer.
make grapefruit juice cocktails
With all the benefits associated with this super food, it is no wonder that it is a favorite among many dieticians and nutritionists. However, before you delve into the properties and types of grapefruit available in the market, take a moment to look at the disadvantage of eating this fruit. Grapefruit has the possibility of interacting with certain drugs and medications diminishing their effectiveness.
It affects the rate at which these drugs are broken down in the body due to a chemical contained in it. Therefore, if you are taking several medications, you need to consult with a doctor before indulging in this fruit.
Grapefruit Taste
Grapefruits have a more acquired taste, as they tend be a bit bitter and sour as compared to fruits like oranges. There are some varieties of grapefruit that are sweeter, but most of them have a slight tart like taste to them.
The different type of grapefruit have similar size, shape and taste, measuring between 4 inches to 6 inches.
The color of the pulp determines the sweetness of the fruit. The pink and red colored grapefruits tend to be sweeter than the yellow or white varieties. Let’s have a look at the different varieties in details so you can pick the best one suited to your taste and needs.
Different Types of Grapefruits
Pink Grapefruit
These grapefruits have a pale to yellowy color with hints of pink in it. They are considered the best-tasting variety of grapefruit providing a great balance between sweetness and tartness. The pink flesh is very juicy, and they are more nutritious due to the phytochemicals that make up their pink color.
Grapefruits are high in fiber and Vitamin C, including a greater content of lycopene and beta-carotene which are important antioxidants to keep you healthy.
Perfect choice for people who are on a diet due to the high fiber content and lower calorie. They are best eaten at breakfast, though they can be eaten as a snack or in combination with other foods at any time of the day.
Red Grapefruit
If you are on the lookout for sweetness, then this is the sweetest type of grapefruit you will find. The deeper the red color, the sweeter it will be. In addition to the delicious sweetness of this fruit, there are many benefits derived from consuming the red grapefruit.
According to some studies, if you eat only half a red grapefruit you will receive all your daily vitamin C requirements. Red Grapefruits also have a high quantity of lycopene and beta-carotene. It also protects from cardiovascular diseases.
The size of these grapefruits is smaller than the pink grapefruits and therefore it is a handy snack to pack in your lunch.
White Grapefruit
The white of yellow grapefruit are sourest of all the grapefruits. They are not sweet, but the balance of sweetness and sourness provided by these fruits is what attracts many to them. There are people who actually crave the sourness provided by the grapefruit.
Grapefruit come in various sizes, with the smallest being 3 inches and the largest around 5 inches in diameter. They have a creamy-yellow skin enclosing a white colored pulp. They also have many health benefits as they are enriched with many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium.
The intense flavor that you get from the white grapefruit is good in juice and syrups and you can even have it for breakfast for a healthy and nutritious start to your day.
Flame Grapefruit
The flame grapefruit has a dark pink flesh when sliced open. It is a seedling of the ruby red grapefruit and is therefore smaller than other grapefruits. It is very sweet to taste and once you start eating you will not be able to put it down.
This grapefruit has no seeds. They are available between November to May. They are a great container fruit, and you can store them in a container for a long time as they can stay on trees for a considerable period of time. This ensures that you can enjoy them even when they are not in season.
Lavender Gem Grapefruit
True to its name, this miniature grapefruit is truly like a gem. A combination of tangelo and grapefruit, the lavender gem grapefruit has a lemon-yellow or pink blush skin. The skin encloses a pinkish blue flesh that has a few seeds. Mild in taste, this grapefruit is liked by many as it doesn’t have a strong flavor.
Due to its juicy texture, it is a great fruit for juicing, drinking and in fruit salads.
Duncan Grapefruit
One of the first variety of grapefruit that was made available, this grapefruit is one of the sweetest grapefruit that you can find. Created in Florida, the Duncan Grapefruit is bursting with sweet flavor.
This is a premium quality grapefruit ripening early and having a wonderful taste. Juices derived from this fruit provide a refreshing feeling in the hot summer months of the year. It is an excellent part of your diet as it is abundant in natural sugars providing a sweet taste without the guilt of consuming sugars.
Marsh Seedless Grapefruit
The Marsh Seedless Grapefruit is one of the most popular grapefruits available. Its popularity is due to its sweet and acidic flavor and the number of varieties that it comes in. Generally, the March Seedless Grapefruit, also known as the white marsh grapefruit, looks like a large lemon, as it is yellow in color and round. The flesh of this fruit is even yellow.
However, the other varieties have a different look. The pink grapefruit has a yellow skin and a pink-bluish flesh and is acidic to taste. It is not as sweet as the white marsh grapefruit. The ruby red grapefruit is sweeter than the white marsh and has a pale to red skin.
Oro Blanco Grapefruit
The Oro Blanco or ‘white gold’ is a hybrid between a grapefruit and an acid-less pomelo. They were discovered in the late 20th century by farmers in California. As the name suggests, it is truly gold. Having a thick, yellow skin, this grapefruit is extremely juicy and sweet.
The thick yellow skin encloses a white, juicy seedless pulp. They can be eaten straight out of the peel for a healthy treat during breakfast. If you are in the lookout for a delicious treat, then the Oro Blanco grapefruit is the one for you. You will enjoy something that is new and different.
Melogold Grapefruit
The Melogold Grapefruit comes from California and is a hybrid between a pomelo and a white grapefruit. It has been specifically created by the farmers in California in the late 1950s. The name ‘Melogold’ has been given to this fruit, as the Melo stands for the mild, sweet flavor and the Gold stands for the deep yellow color of this fruit when it ripens. Hence, the name Melogold.
This grapefruit is large with yellowish green pebbly skin and a pale-yellow flesh within it. It is a very popular variety of grapefruit as the taste has hints of orange in it. They are very large in size, between 11 to 15 CMS in diameter and are round to oval in shape. The base is slightly flattened.
They have minimal number of seeds. The texture of these grapefruits is firm, and you get a pop sensation while enjoying these kinds of grapefruits.
Pomelos
Pomelo is the original grapefruit from which all the other hybrids of grapefruit are created.
They are also known as the Chinese grapefruit and it you visit a Chinese New Year festival in China, you will find these fruits in abundance. They are large in size with lime green or yellow skin. The pith of this fruit is very bitter, but the flesh within it is mellow and thick.
People like to add them to salads or eat them on their own. They have a very crisp texture and are great for cooking or adding to salads.
Star Ruby Grapefruit
The Star Ruby Grapefruit has the deepest red flesh of all the red grapefruits available. It doesn’t appear to grow as vigorously as the other grapefruits and the fruit is smaller comparatively. It was developed from an irradiated Hudson Grapefruit.
The Star Ruby Grapefruit is juicier and sweeter than other grapefruits as is evident from its deep red color. It is an ideal fruit as a snack as it helps maintain the body, is diuretic and low in calories.
Thompson Grapefruit
Thompson Grapefruit is found in abundance in Florida and Texas. It is the oldest known grapefruit, having been in existence since 1913. It is also known as the Marsh Pink and is an offshoot of the original Marsh Grapefruit.
The Thompson Grapefruit is medium sized, with a juicy, soft flesh. The taste of this grapefruit is similar to the Marsh. The skin is bright orange and enclosing a pink, juicy pulp inside.
Sweeties Grapefruit
A hybrid of the pomelo and the grapefruit, the Sweeties grapefruit is sweet to the taste. This is why the name Sweeties was given to this particular variety of grapefruit. They are grown abundantly in Israel and exported from there to many parts of the world.
The Sweeties Grapefruit are small, round with a smooth green skin. It encloses a pale flesh that is sweet and delicious to taste.
