 True Name/ Common Name:
Grapefruit – Citrus paradise
Literalists rallied to change the name of the grapefruit in the 1960’s to something that actually reflected the fruit itself. However, so many people voiced their disapproval that they decided to let the name remain unchanged and arbitrary. Description of Look and Flavor:
A 5-6 meter tall evergreen tree on average that can get as big as 15 meters when very old. The fruit is typically a yellow, pink, or orange leather-skinned berry the size of a softball. They can be round or football shaped with pulp that is segmented into carpels and can be eaten peeled like an orange or cut in halves and topped with sugar or honey. Growth Period/ Harvest –
They mature in September or October, but can be stored for months on or off the tree without many problems.
Nutritional Info –
Grapefruits are high in potassium phosphorous and calcium.
Other Uses –
A diet was popularized in the 1970’s that revolved around the grapefruit. The idea is that the fruit’s low glycemic index helps the body’s metabolism to burn stored fat rather than stock up on more fat. Essentially, it is supposed to bring the body out of hibernation and help to shed that bear-belly.
The flower blossoms have also been known to aid with insomnia. History –
The first documentation of Grapefruits by Reverend Griffith Hughes wasn’t until 1750, but they could have been an island native long before that. They first made it to Florida in 1823 and were only distinguished as a separate fruit from the pomelo since the 1830’s. Myths and Legends –
Grapefruit does not tolerate foolishness. They demand factual information or nothing at all and cannot stand the idea of a tall tale being told about them. Interesting Facts/ Misnomers -
Grapefruits are known as one of the seven wonders of Barbados and are called the forbidden fruit. We believe that grapefruits are a natural hybrid of a pomelo and a sweet orange. Further crosses produced the tangelo in 1905, the Minneola in 1931, and sweeties as recently as 1984.
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