Grapefruit is a hybrid tropical citrus fruit that is a cross between sweet orange (which itself is a hybrid between pomelo and mandarin) and pomelo. It is a popular breakfast fruit in many parts of the world and is also used in making a variety of smoothies and other recipes.
History Of Grapefruit
The fruit was first described by Griffith Hughes in his book “The Natural History Of Barbados” in the year 1750. In his book, grapefruit was described as a forbidden fruit. Grapefruit was also popular on the continent of Asia in the 17th century. Today, grapefruit is eaten all over the world and is one of the most popular citrus fruits on the market.
Appearance Of Grapefruit
Grapefruit is round and oblate. It looks a lot like an orange from the outside and sometimes even like a lemon, but typically with smoother skin. It has a white spongy layer on the inside. The color of the pulp differs according to the type and variety from deep yellow, pink, white or deep red.
Flavor Of Grapefruit
Because it is a citrus fruit, the taste of grapefruit is sour, sweet, and slightly bitter. Depending on the variety and its level of ripeness, the sourness may overpower the sweet taste or vice versa. The bitter taste of the fruit comes from the white spongy layer of pith on the inside.
Culinary Benefits Of Grapefruit
A simple recipe that you can start with grapefruit is grapefruit juice. Simply squeeze the juice from the fruit and add a pinch of salt, a pinch of sugar, ice, and fresh mint leaves. This is a great summer drink that is a great way to beat the heat making you feel refreshed! A splash of tequila wouldn’t hurt either!
Another simple recipe is to broil grapefruit halves with a sprinkle of brown sugar. Serve with some greek yogurt and ground cinnamon for a refreshing and healthy snack!
Grapefruit can also add just the right amount of tanginess to your salad. Check out this delicious salad recipe that pairs juicy grapefruit and fennel with roast duck. Grapefruit also works well with fish to add brightness and acidity. Try our recipe for salmon with citrus, which pairs creamy avocado with tangy grapefruit.
You can also prepare grapefruit marmalade. Combine sugar, grapefruit, lemons, and water. Cook all these ingredients until thick and spreadable. Store this tasty grapefruit marmalade in a glass jar. This is an easy one-time recipe that will last you for months and is a perfect quick breakfast recipe. Just scoop some of this delicious marmalade onto your bread or toast in the morning and you are good to go!
If you are looking for some dessert, try making the Lemon Pound Cake with grapefruit instead of lemons. It makes a great tea time snack and is a nice twist on a classic recipe.
Storage Of Grapefruit
You can keep your grapefruits on your kitchen counter for about 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate them for a couple weeks, however this reduces their juiciness. We recommend buying grapefruits as needed and enjoying them fresh.
