Grapefruit

firstly, to purchase grapefruit from local market vendors click here

Grapefruit are a subtropical tree from citrus and are relatively large. additionally, grapefruits are a sour and somewhat bitter fruit. Inside a grapefruit with the interior flesh, there are colours that varies from dark pink to pale yellow.

A Grapefruit are crossed between a sweet orange and pomelo. both originating and introduced from Asia in the seventeenth century.

Cultivation of grapefruit

Firstly, the average grapefruit tree grows to 5-6 meters tall, although some trees may reach 15 meters tall. Grapefruit leaves have long although thin and dark green glossy characteristics. The fruit have a yellow-orange skin as well oblate spheroid shape.

Origin of grapefruit

This fruit originates from a natural hybrid of the Jamaican sweet orange and eventually brought to America in 1823 by a man named Odet Philippe.

Many varieties including:

Duncan
Flame
Henderson
Hudson
Marsh
Oro Blanco
Pink
Pummelo
Rio Star
Ruby Red
Star Ruby
Thompson
Triumph
Walters
White Marsh

In the early 1900s, the Ruby red was looked at and associated with commercial success. Additionally, using mutation new varieties were made to keep the red tones that faded to pink.

The star ruby are known for the darkest red variety.

Nutrition

Currently, a standard grape provides 90% water, 8% carbohydrates, and 1% protein. containing citric acid however half the amount of lemon juice, and 50% the amount of orange juice

Parasites

Firstly, grapefruits are common to host fruit flies that lay eggs and are notorious for spoiling grapefruits. Larvae of these insects consume the fruit to receive nutrients until proceeding to the pupae stage.

Secondly, parasitism have become a major issue with grapefruits and the industry have lost millions in economic losses