Grapefruit is a widely known citrus fruit which is a great source of fiber, vitamins and others. It has antioxidant as well as immunity enhancing properties along with cholesterol reducing benefits. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins C and A, folate, choline, fiber, lycopene, limonins. This fruit is widely used as a diet food as it enhances weight loss. The fruit is consumed fresh or added to the salads. It is also processed to make juice or canning.
| Name |
Grapefruit |
| Scientific Name |
Citrus paradisi |
| Native |
Grapefruit was thought to be originated from pummelo. In mid to late 19th century, the cultivation got started massively in USA. Today it is cultivated on all the citrus growing extent of the world. |
| Common/English Name |
Common Grapefruit, Pomelo, Grapefruit, Paradisapfel, yuan you, Toronja, pink grapefruit, grapefruit peel |
| Name in Other Languages |
Brazil: Toranja;
Chinese: Yuan You;
Czech: Citroník Grapefruit;
Danish: Pompelmus;
Dutch: Pompelmoes;
Eastonian: Kreibipuu;
Finnish: Greippi;
French: Pamplemoussier;
German: Pampelmusenbaum;
Hungarian: Citrancs;
Indonesia: Limau Gedang;
Italian: Arancio Maggiore;
Japanese: Gureepufuruutsu;
Khmer: Krôôch Thlông;
Laotian: Kièngz S’aangz;
Norwegian: Grapefrukt;
Philippines(Tagalog): Toronja;
Portuguese: Pomelo;
Russian: Pompel’mus;
Spanish: Toronja;
Swedish: Pompelmus;
Thai: Grapefruit;
Turkish: Greyfurt;
Vietnamese: Quả Bưởi Chum |
| Plant Growth Habit |
Evergreen armed tree |
| Growing Climate |
Warm subtropical climate |
| Soil |
Well drained |
| Plant Size |
Height: 5-6 m; trunk diameter: 15 cm |
| Stem |
Thorny, prickly |
| Leaf |
Alternate, elliptic to ovate, glossy, dark green; Length: 15 centimeters (5.9 inch) |
| Flowering Season |
February |
| Flower |
5 cm (2 inch), white, four petals |
| Fruit shape & size |
Oblate-globose; Diameter: 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 inches) |
| Fruit weight |
1 lb. (0.5 kg) |
| Fruit color |
Pale green, pink, yellow |
| Flesh color |
White, red and pink |
| Fruit peel |
Yellow to orange |
| Flavor/aroma |
Sour, sweet, tart |
| Fruit Taste |
Fragrant, acidic |
| Seed |
Few, numerous embryos |
| Varieties/Types |
- Oro Blanco
- Ruby Red
- Pink
- Thompson
- White Marsh
- Flame
- Star Ruby
- Duncan
- Pummelo HB
|
| Fruit Season |
December |
| Major Nutritions |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 71.8 mg (79.78%)
Lycopene 3264 µg (65.28%)
Vitamin A, RAE 133 µg (19.00%)
Carbohydrate 24.52 g (18.86%)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.603 mg (12.06%)
Total dietary Fiber 3.7 g (9.74%)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.122 mg (9.38%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.099 mg (8.25%)
Copper, Cu 0.074 mg (8.22%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 30 µg (7.50%) |
| Health Benefits |
- Loss of appetite
- Influenza
- Treats malaria
- Treats fever
- Cures fatigue
- Assist digestion
- Insomnia
- Treat diabetes
- Acidity problem
- Constipation
- Relief from flatulence
- Urinary ailments
- Natural medicine
|
| Calories in 1 cup sections (with juice), 230 g |
97 Kcal. |
| Traditional uses |
- Flowers essence is used as stomachic and cardiac tonic.
- The pulp is an aid for urinary ailments.
- The seed extract is used for anti-fungal purposes.
- The beverage is a cardiac tonic.
- It provides relief from gas and indigestion.
- The fruit cures water retention and liver or gall bladder ailments.
- Grapefruit is an aid for acne and oily skin.
- The leaves possess antibiotic properties.
- The flesh helps to treat poisoning.
- It prevents flu and colds.
- It eliminates excess water.
- It helps to uplift mood and combat stress.
- It combats stiffness and muscle fatigue.
- It promotes hair growth.
- The juice is effective to cure high cholesterol, cancer and skin diseases.
- The seed extract has ability to treat viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
- It treats flu and common cold.
- The vapor of Grapefruit is inhaled to treat stress, headache and depression.
|
| Precautions |
- Some drugs could interact with Grapefruit.
- Avoid Grapefruit if one is taking statins.
- Grapefruit could interact with calcium channel blockers and statins.
- Its excessive use can wipe out all intestinal bacteria.
- One should consult the physician before using.
|
| How to Eat |
- The fruit could be made into juices.
- It could be added to the salads.
- Grapefruit could be combined with sliced scallions, shredded Napa cabbage, lime juice, toasted pecans and olive oil.
- The segments of Grapefruit and sliced beets (cooked) are arranged on a plate.
- Honey is spread on the halves of Grapefruit and broil till it is browned.
- Grapefruit is cooked lightly in a skillet with an addition of sugar and vanilla extract.
- Lump the mixture of sour cream and brown sugar on the segments of grapefruit and scatter with the chopped ginger.
- Combine the juice of Grapefruit with crushed mint leaves and club soda.
- The peel could be used as candied.
- The juice of Grapefruit is used make jam.
- The pulp may be consumed by adding brown, white sugar and honey.
- Grapefruit is used as appetizer.
- Fruits are used in fruit salads, fruit cups, gelatins, jellies puddings and tarts.
- The fruits are canned as syrup.
- Grapefruit is prepared as marmalade.
- Grapefruit is cooked make sweets.
- The fruits can be fermented to make wine.
|
| Other Facts |
- Florida is the largest producer of Grapefruit.
- 100 g of Grapefruit provides about 60% daily value of vitamin C.
- The color pink in Grapefruit is provided by lycopene.
- Grapefruit helps to reduce fat and weight.
- Grapefruits are also found in red, pink, golden and white.
- It is quite confused with pomelo.
- Grapefruit is a berry.
- February is considered as National Grapefruit Month.
- Grapefruit trees might reach up to 25 to 30 feet tall.
- An individual Grapefruit tree bears about 1,500 pounds of fruit.
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