Originally named ‘forbidden fruit’ in the 1700s, grapefruit are large citrus fruit which grow on subtropical trees. They are believed to be a hybrid of the pomelo and orange.
Originating from Barbados, the grapefruit were imported to America in the late 1800s with Florida, Texas and California quickly becoming major export producers.
Common varieties of grapefruit
There are several varieties of grapefruit:
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Marsh – lemon coloured skin and fruit with few seeds.
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Thompson – lemon coloured skin with pinkish-yellow fruit.
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Wheeney – lemon-green coloured with lots of seeds
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Texan Pink – lemon coloured skin with pink fruit.
The most common in New Zealand are the Marsh.
Nutrition Information
Grapefruit are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is essential for healthy teeth, gums and blood vessels and improves iron absorption and immune function.
The pink varieties contain lycopene, a phytonutrient believed to have anti-tumour properties.
Grapefruit juice has one of the highest antioxidant activity levels found in fruit juices.
Components in the juice may enhance the absorption of some prescription drugs. It's important to read about grapefruit and possible drug interactions.
Selecting and storing grapefruit
The thick skins on grapefruit protect them from damage so any brown marks and scratches do not generally affect the quality of the fruit. Avoid fruit that have soft spots, particularly at the stem end. Also avoid any with wrinkly skin.
Grapefruit will be juicier if stored at room temperature and will keep for 1 week. If refrigerated they will keep for 2-3 weeks.
Using grapefruit
For a refreshing start to the day grapefruit are often eaten at breakfast. The most common method is to chop the fruit in half then remove segments with a small spoon or grapefruit knife. Many people sweeten by sprinkling with sugar; done the night before this allows the sugar to dissolve throughout the fruit.
For freshly squeezed grapefruit juice roll the grapefruit on a hard surface before juicing to get maximal amount of juice.
Grapefruit also add a tangy taste to fresh salads.
How to grow your own grapefruit
Grapefruit trees grow 4.5 to 6 metres (15 to 20 feet) high. Occasionally an old one will reach almost 14 metres (45 feet), so ensure you plant trees in plenty of open space.
Grapefruit prefer a warm subtropical climate. Temperature differences affect the length of time from flowering to fruit maturity, with warmer climates producing fruit much quicker than cooler climates.
Once established, grapefruit trees require little attention apart from the odd prune to avoid overgrowth. Prune when there is no fruit or blossoms on the tree. Begin by removing all dead wood, and then prune other branches to allow sunlight to reach the middle of the tree, allowing fruit situated there to ripen properly. Start from the bottom and work your way up, planning each cut as you go.
Citrus trees are prone to borer so cover cut branches with pruning paste, spray paint or even grease.