Citrus Pages / Grapefruit

Finnish

Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi

	History Uses Colour of grapefruit Colour of the peel Grapefruit Duncan Flame Foster Henderson Ruby Jaffa Sunrise Jaffa Sweetie Marsh Marsh pink (Thompson pink) New Zealand Grapefruit Oroblanco Ray Ruby Rio Red Star Ruby Sunrise Sweetie
Grapefruit 'Jaffa Sweetie' © The Citrus Marketing Board of Israel

History

Much has been written about the origin of grapefruit. We know that it is a relatively recent addition to the large group of citrus fruits. Trying to find the earliest mention of the "forbidden fruit" one invariably lands on Barbados. Although grapefruit are no longer grown on a large scale on the island, it is there the now famous captain Shaddock is reported to have left some pomelo seeds on his way back from the Pacific to England. This we know happened around 1700. The fruit of the pomelo trees then apparently cross-pollinated with a local orange tree and this hybrid produced the first grapefruit.

By the end of the 18th century grapefruit had spread to other Caribbean islands and Jamaica became the centre of grapefruit cultivation. During the latter half of the 19th century commercial grapefruit production started in Florida, which has to this day remained the grapefruit centre of the world. New grapefruit varieties were introduced to the market and grapefruit became the most valuable export crop of Florida. The state was the biggest exporter of grapefruit in the world until the late 1960's when countries like Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica, Morocco, Cyprus and Israel began increasing their production. As a country the United States is still the biggest producer of grapefruit.

Uses

In many parts of the world grapefruit is the customary breakfast fruit. Most grapefruit are chilled, cut in half, loosened from the peel and skin membranes with a special curved grapefruit knife and served fresh with perhaps a touch of sugar or honey.

Grapefruit juice has increased in popularity especially after its promotion as a diet drink started. Many weight-loss diets include grapefruit juice.

The pulp left over after commercial juice extraction is an important source of grapefruit oil, which is used as a flavouring in many soft drinks. The inner peel is a source of pectin and citric acid. Both are used by the food industry in the preservation of other fruits and making jams and marmalades. Naringin, also extracted from grapefruit peel, gives tonic-water its distinctive bitter flavour.

Colour of grapefruit

Grapefruit can be divided into three main categories according to the colour of their flesh, juice and skin. Bear in mind that the colour of any grapefruit variety is affected by soil and climate and can vary from one year to the next.

Yellow or pale coloured varieties include:
Duncan, Marsh, Oroblanco, Goldens, Wheeney, Sweetie and Melogold.

The most common pink varieties are:
Henderson Ruby, Ruby, Marsh Ruby, Ray Ruby, Red Blush, Thompson and Foster.

Grapefruit often exhibiting a deeper shade of red are:
Star Ruby, Ruby Red, Ray, Rio, Rio Star, Rio Red, Sunrise and Jaffa Sunrise.

During the growth period the intensity of colour changes due to chemical processes in the fruit. The maturation from flowering to ripe fruit is fairly long. Depending on the geographical area, soil and prevailing weather it can take 8 - 13 months. The colour is medium strong in a fruit that is about to reach maturity and reaches maximum strength during the first weeks of full ripeness. After that the colour starts to fade and in a few months decreases significantly. During the whole period the fruit remains fresh and tastes good. This makes it possible to buy fruit of the same variety from the same grower and get different colours during different stages of the season. After several months on the tree many varieties tend to sweeten a little.

The grapefruit season is exceptionally long. In certain climates it can be all year round. After reaching maturity the fruit does not lose quality but keeps well on the tree and continues to grow in size for several months. In areas where the main harvesting season starts in September - October grapefruit can be picked until the end of April. This prolongs the season and improves productivity.The only drawback is that it delays new flowering but picking the ripest fruit evenly around the tree minimizes the effect.

Colour of the grapefruit peel

The colour of the peel of grapefruit can be quite varied. At its most typical it is golden yellow. Many varieties have differing degrees of pink or red pigment in the rind.

Grapefruit hybrids including pomelos can characteristically have varying amounts of green colour in the peel even when fully ripe. Some varieties can in certain climates remain dark green. This does not mean that the fruit is unripe or of bad quality. The producers often treat the fruit with ethylene gas to change the outer colour in order to make the fruit more attractive to the consumer. This treatment does not affect the taste. It is quite safe to buy greenish grapefruit and pomelos. They taste just as good and sweet as the yellow and pink varieties.


LAT	Citrus paradisi Macfadyen
Syn	Citrus x paradisi Citrus grandis var. racemosa Osbeck
	Grapefruit appeared on the island of Barbados in the early 1700's. It is a natural hybrid of a pomelo from the Pacific islands and a locally grown sweet orange. Note that in many languages grapefruit is called by the English name of another species, Citrus grandis, the pomelo (pummelo), which in its turn in those languages is called by the equivalent of its French name pamplemousse.
ENG	Grapefruit, Western grapefruit, Common grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo
GER	Pampelmuse
I TA	Pompelmo, Pampelino
ESP	Pomelo, Toronja,
Photo		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Duncan’

	Duncan is the oldest of the modern commercially grown grapefruit varieties. Its earliest wild forms grew in Florida already in the 1830's. The commercial propagation of Duncan began in the 1890's. The flesh and juice are quite pale in colour but the taste is still considered to be one of the best of all grapefruit varieties and often serves as a benchmark by which new varieties are judged. Duncan was the most important cultivar in Florida and Texas for decades and was introduced into all grapefruit-growing areas the world over. After many seedless varieties emerged Duncan lost some of its popularity. Duncan is much used for juice and tinned in syrup as segments or fruit salads.
ENG	Duncan grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Duncan
Photos		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection © C. Jacquemond / INRA


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Marsh’
Syn	Citrus paradisi 'Marsh seedless'
	Marsh was discovered in Florida as a spontaneous seedling in 1860. Because the fruit of the three original seedlings were seedless the new variety was propagated in a nursery and Marsh soon became the most popular new cultivar to be planted. Today Marsh is the leading variety not only in Florida where it originated but also in California, Texas, Arizona, South America, Australia, South Africa, Israel and India. The fruit is almost completely round, very juicy and rich in flavour. Marsh is medium to late in the season, holds well on the tree and keeps well after harvest. Marsh needs a lot of heat and thrives in hot climates. It also highly sensitive to frost. See Jaffa White grapefruit
ENG	Marsh (seedless) grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Marsh
Photos		© Aggie Horticulture TAMU © UCR Citrus Variety Collection


LAT	Citrus paradisi cv. ’Oroblanco’
Syn	Citrus grandis 'Siamese Sweet' x Citrus paradisi '4n Marsh' Citrus x grandis ’Sweetie’
	Oroblanco is one of the newest grapefruit varieties. One of its parents is the Siamese Sweet pomelo, the other is a Marsh variety growing at the Research Center of the University of California, Riverside. The cross was made in 1958 and Oroblanco was released for sale in 1980. The taste is sweet, the flesh pale yellow and seedless. Oroblanco matures early in November - December, and holds well on the tree. A similar cross made in Israel was released for sale in 1984 under the name 'Sweetie' (see below). These hybrids belong to the varieties that can retain a touch of green even when fully ripe. The Israeli 'Sweetie' can remain dark green, but tastes sweet nonetheless.
ENG	Oroblanco grapefruit, Sweetie
FRA	Pomelo Oroblanco, Sweetie
Photos		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection © C. Jacquemond / INRA


LAT	Citrus grandis ’Jaffa Sweetie’
	Citrus paradisi x grandis
	Jaffa Sweetie is a similar cross to the preceding Oroblanco. It is a cross of grapefruit and pomelo made in Israel and released for sale in 1984. The shape and juiciness of the fruit resembles grapefruit, but it tastes as sweet as a pomelo. The skin is dark green in the beginning of the season, and it gradually changes to bright yellow. The fruit is unique by being sweet, yet low on calories (between 24 to 40 calories in one fruit). The reason is that the sweetness does not come from an excess of sugar, but from lack of acid, therefore it is safe to eat without gaining weight. Available in stores from mid September to March. See other Jaffa citrus fruit
Photos		©Citrus Marketing Board of Israel
	Citrus Marketing Board of Israel


LAT	Citrus paradisi 'Flame'

	Flame grapefruit is reported to be from seed of a sport of Ruby Red grapefruit originating in the Houston, Texas grove of C. Henderson. C. J. Hearn made the final selection, and Flame was released as a new variety in 1987. Flame trees grow vigorously to a large size and are reported to be more cold-tolerant than Star Ruby. The fruit has a smooth yellow rind and usually has a pink blush. The flesh is tender and juicy and has an internal color almost as dark as Star Ruby. Flame’s season is mid to late-season; the fruit holds well on the tree with some fading of the internal color when held past maturity. Season: February to June
ENG	Flame grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Flame
Photo		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Foster’

	Foster pink originated as a limb sport in a tree of the Walters variety in an orchard near Ellenton, Florida, and was discovered in 1907 by R. B. Foster of nearby Manatee. It was introduced in 1914 by the Royal Palms Nurseries, Oneco. Fruit medium-large, oblate to spherical; basal furrows short, radiating; areolar ring indistinct; very seedy. Primary color pale to light yellow, but under favorable conditions rind blushed with pink, extending into the albedo. Rind medium-thick and surface smooth. Primary flesh color chamois, but under favorable conditions pink; flesh texture tender and juicy; flavor good. Medium-early in maturity. Tree vigorous, large, and productive.
ENG	Foster grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Foster
Photo		© Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Henderson Ruby’

	In 1929 frost destroyed the crops of many Texas plantations. The severe weather killed many trees but some started growing again in the spring of the following year. One of these new sprouts produced fruit with a beautiful ruby colour. A new variety was born. 'Henderson Ruby' is very productive. Some of the best trees can produce 250 seedless fruits a year. Henderson requires effective irrigation but tolerates high temperatures well.
ENG	Henderson Ruby grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Henderson Ruby
Photos		© C. Jacquemond / INRA © Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi 'Marsh Pink '
Syn	Citrus x paradisi 'Thompson Pink'
	Marsh Pink (Thompson pink) originated as a limb sport in a Marsh tree in an orchard owned by W. B. Thompson at Oneco, Florida. While discovered by S. A. Collins in 1913, it did not become available until 1924 when it was named and introduced by the Royal Palms Nurseries, also of Oneco. Thompson remains of horticultural interest, however, because it was the first seedless pigmented variety to be discovered and within a few years gave rise by bud mutation to a number of more deeply pigmented clones.
ENG	Marsh Pink grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Marsh Pink
Photo		© Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi 'New Zealand Grapefruit '
Syn	Poorman Orange
	A seedy, orange-fleshed fruit that matures slightly earlier than grapefruit because of its lower acidity. It is known by various names, including 'New Zealand Grapefruit', and 'Poorman Orange'. The fruit and tree are very similar to grapefruit, but it is probably a pummelo hybrid or a natural tangelo that may have originated in China or Australia. The fruit has some resemblance to the Attani of India and the Natsudaidai and Asahikun of Japan. A total heat requirement considerably lower than for any of the true grapefruits is indicated by the earlier maturity of Poorman and the fact that it ripens in New Zealand and parts of southern California where there is insufficient heat for any of the present grapefruit varieties.
ENG	New Zealand Grapefruit
FRA	New Zealand Grapefruit
Photo		© Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi 'Ray Ruby '

	Ray Ruby was first observed growing in a Texas grove of 'Redblush' grapefruit. 'Ray Ruby' is comparable to 'Redblush' in many respects. Juice and seed content, flesh texture and maturity date are similar for these two cultivars. However, internal color holds better late in the season for 'Ray Ruby', and greater blush is usually noted for this cultivar than for 'Redblush'. Texas trials suggest that yields and growth characteristics are similar to 'Redblush'. However, no yield data are available for 'Ray Ruby' in Florida where it is recommended only for trial use.
ENG	Ray Ruby grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Ray Ruby
Photo		© UC-Riverside CCPP


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Rio Red’

	'Rio Red' was originally a branch sport of 'Ruby'. Its characteristics were retained by the next generation. Rio Red thrives in a hot climate. The fruit is large and often shows some red pigment on the rind. The flesh and juice have a beautiful red colour.
ENG	Rio Red grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Rio Red
Photo		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection © Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Star Ruby’
Syn	Citrus paradisi 'Sunrise' (see next item)
	Star Ruby from Texas is a demanding variety to grow. It needs steady heat and humidity but does not tolerate extreme high heat or drought. It is susceptible to infections, pests and cold weather. It is less vigorous than other varieties, grows slowly and the tree and fruit remain smaller than other grapefruit types. However, in suitable conditions the tree produces attractive red blushed fruit. The flesh and juice are strongly pigmented, up to three times more colourful than 'Ruby Red', and have a bit more sugar and acid. The fruit is low-seeded or seedless and has a very good flavour.
ENG	(Texas) Star Ruby grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Star Ruby
Photo		© UCR Citrus Variety Collection © Aggie Horticulture TAMU


LAT	Citrus paradisi ’Sunrise’
Syn	Citrus paradisi 'Jaffa Sunrise' Citrus paradisi 'Star Ruby' (see previous item)
	Sunrise is the name Israeli growers use of Star Ruby variety. Star Ruby thrives in Israel. As the fruit keeps well on the trees for several months without loss of quality, the Sunrise and Jaffa Sunrise grapefruit can be found in European super markets from early autumn until late spring. Star Ruby from Texas is a demanding variety to grow. It needs steady heat and humidity but does not tolerate extreme high heat or drought. It is susceptible to infections, pests and cold weather. It is less vigorous than other varieties, grows slowly and the tree and fruit remain smaller than other grapefruit types. However, in suitable conditions the tree produces attractive red blushed fruit. The flesh and juice are strongly pigmented, up to three times more colourful than 'Ruby Red', and have a bit more sugar and acid. The fruit is low-seeded or seedless and has a very good flavour. See other Jaffa citrus fruit
ENG	Jaffa Sunrise Grapefruit
FRA	Pomelo Jaffa Sunrise
Photos		©Citrus Marketing Board of Israel © The World of Fruit Labels