Grapefruit

Botanical Name:

Citrus paradisi (Rutaceae)

General Description/History:

• Member of the citrus family.
• Round/oblate fruit with a flattened bottom.
• Fine pale yellow skin.
• Approximately 10cm in diameter.

The grapefruit tree reaches 4.5-6m in height, has a rounded top of spreading branches. The trunk may exceed 15cm in diameter. The twigs normally bear short, supple thorns. The evergreen leaves are ovate 7.5-15cm long, 4.5-7.5cm wide, dark-green above and lighter beneath.

The colour of the outer peel is not an accurate guide to quality, as it can range from pale yellow to bronze. The best way to judge fruit quality is to hold it: the heavier it is in proportion to its size, the more juice it contains. Small surface bruises or blemishes do not reduce the flavour or quality of the fruit.

The grapefruit has made great advances in the past 75 years. In 1970, consumption of grapefruit was temporarily heightened by a widely promoted “grapefruit diet” plan which claimed to achieve a loss of 4-5kg in 10 days with a continuing gradual loss until the achievement of normal body weight. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not have special “fat melting” properties when consumed.

Grapefruit is customarily a breakfast fruit, chilled, cut in half, the sections loosened from the peel and each other by a special curved knife, and the pulp spooned from the “half shell”. Some consumers sweeten it with a little white or brown sugar or honey. Grapefruit segments can be added to fruit compotes, sweet and savoury salads, used to make marmalades or in juice concoctions as a refreshing beverage. Grapefruit segments or juice can also be utilised in chicken, pork or duck dishes as an accompaniment or as a tart marinade or sauce.

The grapefruit tree has a high heat requirement and produces its best quality fruit in areas with warm summers and long growing periods. Temperature differences affect the length of time from flowering to fruit maturity. Humidity contributes to thinness of peel, while in arid climates the peel is thicker and rougher and, as might be expected, the juice content is lower. Low winter temperatures also result in thicker peel the following year and even affect the shape of the fruit.

Soil types suitable for the growing of grapefruit are variable and are dependent largely on the choice of rootstock. In many respects crop care for grapefruit is very similar to oranges with the exception that wider spacing is necessary when first planting the orchard.

All species of the genus “citrus” are believed to be native of the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and the Malay Archipelago. The origin of the grapefruit itself is obscure. The Pummelo appears in many varieties in the Malay Archipelago and it is thought the grapefruit probably originated as a mutation from the Pummelo. Place of origin has been recorded as the West Indies. The tree is more vigorous than the orange with larger leaves. The name probably originated from the fact that the fruit grows in grape-like clusters or bunches. The grapefruit was first described in 1750 by Griffith Hughes who called it the “forbidden fruit” of Barbados.

Marsh Seedless was one of three seedling trees on the property of a Mrs Rushing near Lakeland, Florida, purchased by William Hancock in 1862. Because the fruits of this tree were seedless, C. M. Marsh took budwood from it for nursery propagation and he bought young trees previously budded by others. He sold the budded offspring and in time the Marsh was planted more than any other variety.

Growing Areas:

QLD - Bundaberg, Gatton, Gayndah, Mundubbera, Nambour

NSW - Griffith, Murrumbidgee, Sunraysia

VIC - Mildura, Murray Valley, Sunraysia Irrigation Area

SA - Riverland

WA - Carnarvon, Gin Gin, Perth Hills

NT - Darwin, Ti Tree

Preparation Videos:

Zesting citrus fruit

Nutritional Value:

The grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamins B5 and C, a good source of dietary fibre and potassium. 110kJ/100g.

Storage/Handling:

15°C at 85-95% relative humidity.

Consumer Storage: Store in the refrigerator crisper.

Ruby Blush Grapefruit

Varieties:

Grapefruit - Marsh

Description:

• Most commonly grown commercial variety.
• Pale yellow skin at maturity.
• Pale yellow, juicy flesh.
• Mild flavour.
• No seeds.

Growing Area:

QLD - Bundaberg, Gatton, Gayndah, Mundubbera, Nambour

NSW - Griffith, Murrumbidgee, Sunraysia

VIC - Mildura, Murray Valley, Sunraysia Irrigation Area

SA - Riverland

WA - Carnarvon, Gin Gin, Perth Hills

NT - Darwin, Ti Tree

Availability:

Grapefruit - Ruby Blush

Description:

The flesh of the Ruby Blush is juicy and more tart than that of white grapefruit. It can be segmented and eaten fresh or juiced. Its pink to red

flesh is an attractive addition to salads and it is also used to make a delicious sorbet. Choose glossy fruit that feels heavy for its size and has good blush colour on the skin. Pink-fleshed grapefruit contain beta-carotene lycopene, which is reputed to have a protective effect against cancer.

Growing Area:

QLD - Bundaberg, Gatton, Gayndah, Mundubbera, Nambour

NSW - Griffith, Murrumbidgee, Sunraysia

VIC - Mildura, Murray Valley, Sunraysia Irrigation Area

SA - Riverland

WA - Carnarvon, Gin Gin, Perth Hills

NT - Darwin, Ti Tree