Featured...
Grapefruit
Inventory, ea : 0
This item was last sold on : 04/16/20
Description/Taste
Grapefruits are medium to large fruits, averaging 10 to 15 centimeters in diameter, and are round to ovate, sometimes displaying a slightly flattened appearance. The peel is generally smooth, glossy, and semi-thin with a lightly pebbled texture, covered in small oil glands that release fragrant, essential oils. The peel also generally ripens from green to pale yellow, golden yellow, to yellow-orange blushed with pink, depending on the variety, but some green spots may remain on the surface at maturity for yellow-fleshed varieties and are not indications of ripeness. Underneath the peel, a thick, white, bitter, and spongy pith is tightly adhered to the flesh, and tough membranes divide the flesh into 10 to 14 segments. The flesh has a translucent hue, ranging in color from pale yellow, pink, to dark red, and is comprised of tiny sacs filled with juice, creating an aqueous, tender, and semi-firm consistency. Grapefruit varieties will vary in seed content, fluctuating from containing many cream-colored seeds to being found seedless. The flesh's core may also appear hollow or solid, primarily determined by variety and growing conditions. Grapefruits have a subtle, floral fragrance with a bright, sweet, acidic, and tangy, mildly bitter flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Grapefruits are available year-round, with a peak season in the winter through spring.
Current Facts
Grapefruits, botanically classified as Citrus paradisi, are a large, subtropical to tropical citrus variety belonging to the Rutaceae family. The sweet-tart fruits are a natural cross between a pummelo and an orange and grow on evergreen trees reaching meters in height. The origin of the name Grapefruit is shrouded in mystery as much of the fruit’s history was unrecorded. The fruits were discovered in Barbados and were allegedly named after their clustering growth habit, similar to the way grapes form in bunches. Some experts also hypothesize that the fruits may have been named for their tart flavor, reminiscent of an unripe grape. There are three main types of grapefruits in the modern-day, generally categorized as pink, white, or red-fleshed. Grapefruits are cultivated worldwide and are hand-picked each season, favored for their sweet-tart taste, and are sold for fresh use, cooked, and canned applications.
Nutritional Value
Grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system, reduces inflammation, and boosts collagen production within the skin. The fruits are also a good source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, fiber to stimulate the digestive tract, and contain lower amounts of folate, potassium, and magnesium. Red and pink grapefruit varieties contain lycopene, a nutrient found in the pigmented flesh with antioxidant-like properties and protects the cells against free radical damage.
Applications
Grapefruits have a sweet-tart flavor with a juicy nature that is well-suited for fresh and cooked applications. The fruits can be sliced in half and eaten with a spoon, scooping the flesh from the membranes, or the flesh can be cut and segmented, tossed into green salads, fruit bowls, and salsa. Grapefruits can also be blended into smoothies, juiced into cocktails, or used as a garnish for fruit punches and sparkling water. Beyond fresh applications, Grapefruits are often used to add acidity to roasted ats, and the flesh can be pressed, extracting the juice, used to flavor sauces, glazes, popsicles, sorbet, or baked goods, including bars, doughnuts, cakes, and shortbreads. The Grapefruit’s peel can also be candied as a sweet, chewy snack, or the fruits can be simmered into marmalades, jellies, jams, and simple syrups. Grapefruits pair well with avocado, rose water, nuts such as pistachios, pine nuts, and almonds, herbs including tarragon, mint, rosemary, chamomile, and cilantro, meats such as poultry, beef, and fish, fruits such as strawberries, citrus, bananas, pomegranates, pineapples, and raspberries, cabbage, fennel, and vanilla. Whole, unopened Grapefruits will keep 5 to 7 days when stored at room temperature and up to 3 to 6 weeks when placed in a plastic bag and kept in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Grapefruits are considered one of the “Seven Wonders of Barbados,” a list of important historical sites depicting plant species, architecture, and points of interest to educate and create memorable experiences on the tropical island. Legend has it that Grapefruits were discovered in the Welchman Hall Gully, a three-quarter-mile ravine formed from collapsed caves and water. This gully is one of the most visited sites in Barbados in the present-day and is said to give visitors a visual of what the island looked like over 300 years ago. In the gully, many citrus varieties were planted from Asia and were left to naturally cross-pollinate and develop new fruits, including Grapefruits. The Welchman Hall Gully is also home to over 150 different tropical plant species and exotic wildlife, including troops of monkeys.
Geography/History
Grapefruits are one of the only known citruses to have originated in the Americas, and the fruits were believed to have been developed from a natural cross between a pummelo and an orange. The large, clustered fruits were discovered growing on the island of Barbados in the West Indies in the 17th century, which was a time when European settlers would sporadically plant citrus originally from Asia across the islands. The planted citrus would mature and naturally cross-pollinate over time, creating new citrus types that primarily went undocumented and unrecorded. The original Grapefruits were white varieties, selected for their large size and tart, subtly sweet flavor. In 1823, Grapefruits were brought to the United States and were planted in Florida by a Frenchman named Odet Philippe. The fruits were later grown in Texas and California in 1910 to add diversity to the citrus market. Grapefruits were not widely accepted when they were initially introduced into the United States as they were considered too ur, but in Texas in 1929, a sweet, red-fleshed variety was discovered, changing to fruit’s image and market appeal. Red-fleshed grapefruits quickly rose in popularity, and within five years of its discovery, the sweeter fruits were being shipped across the United States. Once red grapefruits were discovered, Texas stopped growing white grapefruits altogether in 1962, and the pale-fleshed fruits became localized to Florida and select regions of California. Today Grapefruits are cultivated in California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida for domestic sale, and the fruits in Florida are primarily exported to Japan. Grapefruits are also grown in Mexico, South America, Morocco, Spain, Turkey, Israel, India, and areas of the Caribbean.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Grapefruit. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Grapefruit using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
GREEN
Supermarket “Small”
Kazakhfilm microdistrict, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 44 days ago, 8/16/22 Sharer's comments : Beautiful Grapefruits from Turkey 
“Small” supermarket
город, улица Ауэзова 65, Алматы 050000 About 110 days ago, 6/11/22 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits of triangular shape from Turkey 
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum.Express
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 163 days ago, 4/19/22 Sharer's comments : Quite big grapefruits imported from Turkey 
Small grocery store
Розыбакиева, 75, 050046/A15P3T7, Алматы, Бостандыкский район, 1 этаж About 192 days ago, 3/21/22 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits imported from Turkey 
Esentai Gourmet
проспект Aль-Фараби 77/8, Алматы 050060 About 202 days ago, 3/11/22 Sharer's comments : Turkish grapefruits imported to Kazakhstan 
Magnum Super
About 219 days ago, 2/22/22 Sharer's comments : Sweet Grapefruits from Turkey 
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum Express
Almagul 18 A, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 230 days ago, 2/11/22 Sharer's comments : Huge grapefruits from Israel 
Magnum Express
Magnum Express
Микрорайон Казахфильм, 17, 050023/A15C8E0, Алматы, Казахфильм, 1 этаж https://magnum.kz/ About 239 days ago, 2/02/22 Sharer's comments : Sweet Grapefruits imported from Turkey to Kazakhstan, Almaty 
Magnum Express
Magnum express
Микрорайон Казахфильм, 17, 050023/A15C8E0, Алматы, Казахфильм, 1 этаж https://magnum.kz About 253 days ago, 1/19/22 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits imported from Turkey to Kazakhstan 
Eco fresh market
Микрорайон Казахфильм, 17/1, 050023, Алматы, Казахфильм About 280 days ago, 12/23/21 Sharer's comments : Sweetie grapefruits from Israel 
Magnum cash and carry
Микрорайон Алмагуль, 18а, 050060/A15C0B9, Алматы, Алмагуль About 292 days ago, 12/11/21 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits delivered to Almaty, Kazakhstan, from SAR 
Escondido Farmers Market
Valley Center Growers Inc
Near Escondido, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 379 days ago, 9/14/21 
Del Mar Farmers Market
Ray Subtropical Farm
Near Del Mar, California, United StatesRainbow Valley, CA 760-213-1436 About 403 days ago, 8/21/21 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 411 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Star ruby grapefruit 
Nazarbayev av. 226, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum cash and carry
California, United StatesNazarbayev avenue 226, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 516 days ago, 5/01/21 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits from Turkey 
Almagul micro district, 18A, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Magnum cash and carry
California, United StatesAlmagul micro district, 18A, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 566 days ago, 3/12/21 Sharer's comments : grapefruit so from Turkey 
Grocery store "Small"
California, United Statesул. Исиналиева 13,, Алматы, Казахстан About 609 days ago, 1/28/21 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits in Small grocery store 
Kalivis SA
Near Athens, Attiki, GreeceCentral market of Athens L-27 About 665 days ago, 12/03/20 Sharer's comments : Grapefruits red and white 🇬🇷 |
