Citrus tree grapefruit. Grapefruit - grape fruit Grapefruit where

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)

Description

Grapefruit is an evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family, reaching a height of 12 meters, with a rounded crown. The fruits are round, large, with a pleasant smell and juicy yellow or orange-red pulp. The peel of the fruit is thick, yellowish or reddish in color, and does not separate well from the pulp. The weight of one grapefruit can reach 500 g. The taste of grapefruit cannot be confused with anything else - only it has a slight bitter aftertaste.

This fruit received the name “grapefruit” from the combination of the English words “grape” and “fruit” due to the fact that its fruits are often collected in clusters resembling grapes. The Latin name means “paradise citrus”.

Story

Grapefruit was first mentioned in 1750 - they were discovered on the island of Barbados. Central America and India are considered to be the birthplace of grapefruit. At the end of the 19th century, the plant was brought to Florida.

Interesting fact

The surprising thing is that no one still knows what kind of fruit it is. Scientists believe that grapefruit is the result of crossing an orange and a pomelo, but not a single breeder has yet succeeded in repeating this natural experiment.

Compound

Grapefruit fruits contain vitamins A, C, B, D, P, mineral salts, organic acids, sugars, pectins and dyes, essential oil and phytoncides, and the bitter taste of grapefruit is given by the glycoside naringin.

The rind, reaching 30-40% of the weight of the fruit, also contains pectin substances, esters, and glycosides.

Application

Grapefruit is usually eaten fresh. Juice is squeezed out of its fruits and jam is made. Grapefruit slices are added to meat and fruit salads, which acquire a piquant taste and aroma. Candied fruits are made from the peel, pectin and essential oil are extracted.

The taste of meat, liver or beef tongue is significantly improved if you sprinkle it with grapefruit juice. This bitter-sour fruit goes well with fish and shellfish. Soak salmon or trout fillet in grapefruit juice before cooking, but no more than 30 minutes.

Useful properties.

Grapefruit is also used for medicinal purposes. Its juice is recommended to stimulate appetite and stimulate digestion; it is used for non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Grapefruit is also useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases - it is enough to eat one fruit a day, along with bitter membranes (they contain useful pectin). Glycosides and vitamins contained in grapefruit help lower blood pressure (including during menopause, in both women and men) and prevent atherosclerosis.

Grapefruit essential oil, which has a bitter-cold aroma, improves mood, helps overcome indecision and apathy, focus attention, and improves the receptivity of information (which is very useful for students).

Contraindications

Grapefruit should not be consumed simultaneously with medications (contraceptives may not work, and antidepressants have the exact opposite effect). In addition, grapefruit is contraindicated for people with high acidity of gastric juice.

Calorie content and nutritional value of grapefruit

Calorie content of grapefruit - 35 kcal.

Nutritional value of grapefruit: proteins - 0.7 g, fats - 0.2 g, carbohydrates - 6.5 g

Grapefruit does not often appear on the menu of most Russians, which is completely in vain - it contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements, helps strengthen the immune system, improve digestion and lose weight. And the characteristic bitterness, which many people don’t like, is easily neutralized with proper cleaning and preparation of the fruit.

What is it and where does it grow?

Grapefruit is a citrus fruit, a hybrid (pomelo crossed with an orange). The fruits ripen on evergreen trees of the Rutaceae family. Ripe fruits are arranged on the branches in such a way that they resemble bunches of grapes. It was this fact that formed the basis for the name of the fruit, because in translation from English grapefruit means “grape fruit”.

The fruit was first discovered on the island of Barbados in 1750 and was called the “forbidden fruit.” China is considered the probable homeland of the fruit. Today, trees with these fruits are cultivated in many countries with a subtropical climate. The main importers of fruits are the USA, Georgia, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, and Brazil. In Russia, grapefruit is grown in the south.

Today, there are about 20 varieties of grapefruit, but this diversity can be reduced to three main groups - white, red and pink grapefruits. The weight of one fruit reaches 500-600 g, which is slightly larger than an orange. The diameter of the first usually reaches 40-45 cm. Grapefruit has an orange tint, which may be closer to yellow or red depending on the variety. The pulp is bright orange and juicy. The fruits have a familiar citrus aroma, which is so strong that it can be felt even through intact peel.

In general, these two citrus fruits are similar. True, grapefruit has a thicker skin, and its taste is more sour, with a characteristic bitterness. Grapefruit differs from pomelo in its lighter weight and brighter color of the peel and pulp. Pomelo usually has a more sour taste, but less bitterness.

The difference between sweetie and grapefruit is that the former has a much sweeter taste. This is not surprising, because the task of the breeders was precisely to obtain such a citrus fruit. Sweetie is the result of crossing a sweet variety of grapefruit and pomelo. In addition, sweetie does not have the bright color characteristic of grapefruit. Even in mature sweetie fruits, it remains pale greenish-yellow.

Fruit ripening is long, sometimes it takes 10-11 months. The trees begin to bloom in late May-early June.

Calories and nutritional value

Among fruits, grapefruit has a low calorie content, which is due to the high moisture content in the fruit (its volume reaches 90%). Nutritional value is 30-35 kcal per 100 g of fresh product. The BZHU balance is as follows - 0.7/0.1/6. Pink fruits contain slightly more carbohydrates and fewer protein compounds.

Pink varieties are the highest in calories, while white varieties have the fewest calories. However, the latter also contain less fiber.

A peeled fruit weighing 400 g contains about 120-140 kcal. Freshly squeezed juice contains from 30 to 38 kcal, depending on the degree of extraction, and zest contains 29 kcal per 100 g.

The glycemic index of the fruit is 25, which is not much. In this regard, the fruit is not prohibited for people suffering from diabetes and obesity. In addition, grapefruit is easily digested, carrying with it toxins and fatty compounds from the intestines.

Chemical composition

Grapefruit fully lives up to its title as a “vitamin bomb”. It can be called a champion in ascorbic acid content. It is enough to consume 100 g of fruit per day to meet the body’s daily need for vitamin C.

Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant and has a strengthening and immunostimulating effect. In addition to vitamin C, the fruits contain vitamins B, P, A (retinol), as well as the provitamin beta-carotene (it provides the bright sunny color of the fruit).

Microelements are represented by calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium. The fruits also contain useful acids - folic, pantothenic, nicotinic.

A substance called naringin was found in the white film, which is why the fruit has a slight bitterness. The purpose of naringin is to improve intestinal motility; in addition, it provides a bactericidal effect. The beneficial effect of the fruit on the intestines is also explained by the presence of dietary fiber and fiber in the composition.

The sweetness of the fruit is provided by natural sugars. The composition also contains biologically active substances - phytocindes.

Benefit

The high content of vitamin C in the fruit in combination with others, as well as the presence of trace elements and acids, make grapefruit a powerful assistant in supporting the immune system. By stimulating and strengthening immune cells, these components help increase the body's resistance to viral and colds, and the negative effects of environmental factors. The pulp and juice of the fruit provide a tonic effect; they should be included in the diet of people experiencing increased physical, sports and intellectual stress. Consumption of fruits will also be useful during the period of colds and spring vitamin deficiency.

Dietary fiber and naringin improve intestinal activity, allowing food to be digested faster and better. This, in turn, helps prevent the feeling of heaviness and bloating. These same components accelerate metabolism, which, taking into account the low nutritional value of the fruit, makes it one of the recommended products for weight loss.

The acids contained in the composition help increase the acidity of gastric juice, so the fruit should be included in your diet for those who have a low level of acidity.

Grapefruit, thanks to the iron it contains, helps improve hematopoietic function and allows you to maintain hemoglobin within normal limits. This, in turn, indicates that organs and tissues receive sufficient oxygen. The components of the fruit fight cholesterol plaques, increasing the elasticity of blood vessels - excellent prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

Consuming grapefruit is also beneficial for the liver. It is believed that it protects the organ from cancer. The fruit ensures the removal of toxins and waste from the body, which means a reduction in the load on the liver.

The fruit copes with bleeding gums, and also removes skin pigmentation, freckles, prevents the appearance of fungi, and has an antibacterial effect. It is also recommended to be used for hypertension, as it lowers blood pressure.

The fruit is often called the fruit of beauty, which is completely justified. In addition to its low calorie content and the ability to speed up metabolism, which is actively used for weight loss, it contains antioxidants. The latter are natural components that slow down the aging process. Using the fruit internally and externally can improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails, slow down the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin tone.

For cosmetic purposes, the juice of the fruit is usually used, which, when mixed with other components, allows you to whiten the skin, get rid of age spots, rashes and oily sheen. Grapefruit zest and juice are widely used in the fight against cellulite.

Providing a slight diuretic effect, the fruits help remove excess fluid from the body. For this reason, it is recommended to include them in your diet during menstruation.

During pregnancy, the fruit is not only not prohibited, but also allowed for consumption. A large number of vitamins and minerals strengthen the body of the mother and fetus, improve its resistance to viruses and bacteria.

This fruit is no less useful for men's health, since its regular consumption prevents the occurrence of prostate cancer. The lycopene contained in the composition protects against prostatitis.

Grapefruit juice has the same positive effects on the body as the fruit as a whole. It is not particularly sweet, but can significantly improve digestion processes. To do this, drink half a glass of juice 30 minutes before your meal. This will awaken your metabolism and prepare your digestive organs for processing food.

Grapefruit juice is indicated for insomnia, chronic fatigue, decreased immunity, and lack of sun.

The benefits of grapefruit are comparable to the beneficial properties of the pulp. An important point - not the whole peel is called zest, but only its top layer, up to the white film. The zest is rich in pectin, as well as B vitamins (primarily B 2.9), vitamins A and C, as well as essential oils. It is especially useful for strengthening the immune and nervous systems.

The fruit seeds also contain these vitamins, as well as flavonoids. The latter are considered a natural antibiotic and have antibacterial properties.

Harm

Consuming the fruit should be avoided if you have an individual intolerance or allergy to the fruit. Signs of allergies are skin rashes, cough, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rhinitis, suffocation. If at least one of these signs is detected, the victim should be given an antihistamine; if the injury is severe, call an ambulance.

Due to the high acid content, grapefruit should not be consumed if the acidity of gastric juice is also high. This will only make the situation worse. You should also avoid it if you have peptic ulcers, gastritis, or pancreatitis.

Grapefruit fruits have the ability to react with medications and neutralize them or, on the contrary, enhance the effect. As a result, the drug does not work or cases of overdose occur. Grapefruit neutralizes oral contraceptives, drugs prescribed for hypotension and some other medications. If this fruit regularly appears in your diet, you should find out how much it affects the particular drug you are taking.

Citrus fruits are the strongest allergens, so they should not be consumed in large quantities. An overabundance of grapefruit on the menu can cause itchy rashes on the skin, sore throat and cough, and abdominal pain.

Hypotensive patients should eat the fruit with caution, as it lowers blood pressure. If it is so low that you have to increase it with the help of medications, then grapefruit is contraindicated. Not only does it lower blood pressure in itself, but it also neutralizes the effect of drugs to increase blood pressure.

If there are cracks or ulcers in the mouth and around it, grapefruit will increase irritation, so it is better to avoid taking it until the skin and mucous membranes are completely healed.

How to choose?

The most delicious, sweet and most healthy are grapefruits with a red tint of pulp. Moreover, the darker it is, the sweeter the fruit will be. It has almost no seeds and is characterized by a strong aroma. The ripening season lasts from late July to early September. This is the best time to buy this variety.

White grapefruit has a pale yellow peel, it is quite thick and tastes sweet. The number of seeds is average, they are large. The pulp of such fruits contains less sugar, so the fruit of this variety is slightly more sour. It is actively included in the diet menu and is used for weight loss. One of the most famous white-fleshed grapefruits is Duncan.

It's easy to understand why the next grapefruit variety is called pink if you cut the fruit. You will see pink flesh. It is very sweet and not bitter. The peel of the fruit of this variety is dense, with characteristic red specks, and a strong citrus aroma. One of the popular varieties is “Flame”.

It is right to start choosing a fruit by assessing its aroma. Fresh and ripe, it emits a strong citrus aroma that can be felt even from a distance of several meters. If, even when you sniff specifically, you can barely discern a citrus aroma, you have a stale fruit in front of you.

Red spots on the peel are evidence of the sweetness of the fruit. The more there are, the higher the sugar content. The peel itself should be elastic, without dents or damage. The shade should be uniform over the entire surface. But dark spots and dents, especially at the base of the fruit, indicate that it is not the first freshness. The fruit itself should have a spherical or slightly flattened shape.

It is important to correlate the size and weight of the fetus. Ripe and fresh grapefruit is always heavy, even if it is small in size. If the fruit itself is large but quite light, this means that during long-term storage it has lost most of its moisture. This fruit is not the best option for purchase and consumption.

If you have the opportunity to evaluate the inside of the fruit, remember that bright pink and dark orange flesh and a small number of medium-sized seeds usually indicate sweetness of the pulp.

Storage rules

If stored improperly, the fruit will lose moisture and become dry and bitter. The optimal storage temperature is 2-7 degrees. The bottom shelves of the refrigerator are good for these purposes.

You shouldn’t buy fruit for future use, because even in the refrigerator it can be stored for a little more than 10 days. In this case, it is better to first wrap the fruits in food paper to prevent active loss of moisture. It is important that the fruits do not touch.

The peeled fruit can be stored covered in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days. During the same period, you can store the fruit whole, without damaging the peel, at room conditions.

If the temperature allows, the balcony can also be used as a storage area for grapefruits. The shelf life in this case will be 7-10 days. It is important that the humidity level on the loggia is not high, and that direct sunlight does not fall on the fruits. They should also be stored wrapped in paper.

What can you cook?

Unlike orange and lemon zest, which is actively added to baked goods, grapefruit zest is used much less frequently for these purposes, due to its bitter taste. You can neutralize the bitterness by combining the fruits with honey or sugar.

Thanks to its sweet and sour taste with a slight bitterness, grapefruits are good in salads and when baking meat dishes. They are suitable for glazing meat and poultry, imparting their flavor to them, and protect the dish from drying out.

You can prepare the fruits for future use by making jam or jam from them. Freshly squeezed juice from the fruit is a real drink of vigor, beauty and health. True, it is better to dilute it with water before use. You can also make grapefruit lemonade, cocktails, smoothies, fresh juice and compote from the juice.

The fruit goes well with vegetables, fish, shrimp, and chicken. A successful combination of fruits with orange, peaches, pineapples, plums, pears, and currants. From fermented milk products - cottage cheese, yogurt without additives, curd cheese. Lemon juice, honey, nuts, mint, and rosemary can highlight the taste of grapefruit. True, there is an important nuance here - you need to completely remove the white films, otherwise the finished dish will be unpleasantly bitter.

The combination with starch-containing foods - potatoes, legumes, cereals, pasta - is not the most successful. Moreover, such combinations are difficult to digest and cause stomach problems.

Before we begin describing the most interesting proven recipes, let’s focus on methods for cleaning fruits. To peel the fruit, you need to place it on a cutting board and, holding it with one hand, cut off the top part of the peel with a knife. The cut should be deep enough to expose the flesh without damaging it.

Now you should pull the peel down and slightly to the side, peeling it off and trying to damage the pulp as little as possible. The next step is to cut off the layer of white film with a knife.

All that remains is to extract the slices from the white film, for which the slice is cut along the film and the pulp is carefully removed from it. As a result of such manipulations, the same slice should remain, but without the white film. In the same way, you should get all the slices.

Next, they should be placed in a deep plate and, squeezing the remaining pulp with pieces of pulp on it into a fist, squeeze the juice out of it, pouring it over the grapefruit pulp. You can eat grapefruit in this form, and if you close the container with a lid and put it in the refrigerator, you can store it for up to 4 days.

You can also use a special spoon and fruit knife that have serrations at the end. The fruit is cut in half, after which you can scoop out the pulp with a spoon, being careful not to stick the device into the area of ​​the white films. In a similar way, the fruit is served and eaten in restaurants and guests.

Another easy way to extract grapefruit pulp is to cut it in half and then into slices. Now you need to cut off the white film and cut off the peel layer.

Grapefruit zest is also used in cooking. You need to remove it with a fine grater, without touching the white film. You can add zest to tea and baked goods.

As is known, vitamins and some microelements are partially or completely destroyed during heat treatment. You can fully preserve the benefits of the fruit without exposing it to heat above 45-50 degrees.

Shrimp salad

Grapefruit goes well with seafood, giving fairly bland-tasting white fish, shrimp and crabs a special piquancy. This salad is suitable for those who play sports and watch their figure. Protein-rich shrimp will allow you to build muscle mass, grapefruit will start your metabolism and provide the body with essential vitamins for life.

Preparation:

• 400 g of peeled fresh frozen shrimp (unpeeled shrimp will also work, but in this case they will need to be peeled and blanched in boiling water for a couple of minutes);
• 8 slices of toast bread;
• 1 grapefruit weighing 400-450 g;
• 100 g breadcrumbs;
• a bunch of lettuce;
• dried garlic on the tip of a knife;
• 50 g hard cheese;
• 1 tomato;
• 100 g sour cream;
• a teaspoon of mustard;
• 1 lemon;
• salt, pepper - to taste.

This recipe involves using baked shrimp in batter. To do this, beat an egg and add dried garlic to it. Dip the shrimp in the egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 200 degrees.

At this time, you can peel the grapefruit and cut the resulting slices into 2-3 pieces. It is also better to prepare the dressing in advance so that its components turn into a single mass. For dressing you need to mix sour cream and mustard, squeeze in 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix everything thoroughly.

All that remains is to assemble the salad. Place lettuce leaves washed and dried with a paper towel as the first layer, then add shrimp and tomatoes, cut into cubes or thin slices, in random order. Next, lay out the grapefruit slices and sprinkle the salad with grated cheese. Top the dish with dressing.

If breaded shrimp seem too high in calories, you can use regular boiled shrimp, adding a couple of black peppercorns and bay leaves to the cooking water. Sweet red pickled onions, cut into rings or half rings, will also be harmonious in this dish.

Paired with chicken

Rinse the fillet under cool running water and boil until tender, adding salt to taste. You can also add bay leaf and pepper to the cooking water. Disassemble the boiled chicken into fibers.

Peel the grapefruit, remove the pulp, cut into pieces if necessary. Remove the seeds from the chili pepper and chop finely.

Place salad on the bottom of the plate. Its leaves can be left whole or torn into large fragments by hand. Then add a mixture of chicken, chili and grapefruit (it is better to first mix these ingredients in another bowl and add salt to taste).

As a dressing, use lime juice (1-2 teaspoons) mixed with soy sauce. Sprinkle chopped nuts or pomegranate seeds on top of the salad and garnish with mint leaves.

Fruit dessert

A light fruit salad will be an excellent second breakfast or afternoon snack, serve as dessert, and in the summer heat, when appetite decreases, even replace dinner. Many fruit salads have a cloying taste, but adding grapefruit will help offset the excessive sweetness.

To prepare it you need:

• 1 orange and 1 grapefruit each;
• 50 g canned pineapples;
• 50 g strawberries;
• 1-2 bananas;
• mint sprig;
• 30 ml mint syrup.

Wash fruits and berries, remove peels, films, and stalks. Cut oranges and grapefruit into pieces, strawberries into halves. If the pineapples are ring-shaped, they need to be cut into cubes.

Mix all ingredients. For dressing, use mint syrup and juice from canned pineapples, taken in equal quantities. Garnish the dish with a sprig of mint. If you don't have mint syrup on hand, you can use lemon or grapefruit juice.

It is better to serve the salad in bowls or wide glasses with a stem. You can make the serving original by filling half of the peel (they must be whole, intact) with citrus salad.

Grapefruit smoothie

This drink will wonderfully quench the feeling of hunger, start metabolic processes in the body and give vigor. It is great for hot summer days as it cools and quenches your thirst. The recipe is extremely simple, so we will do without a separate list of products.

So, you need to take the chilled fruit (previously keep it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours) and extract the pulp without the skin in any convenient way. The integrity of the pulp and its attractiveness are not important in this recipe, so it can be removed very quickly.

Place the pulp in a blender bowl, turn it into a puree, add 100-150 ml of mineral water (with or without sparkling water - as you prefer), and a sprig of mint. Pour the drink into a tall glass, first adding 2-3 ice cubes.

Marmalade

Even the presence of sugar does not take away the benefits of grapefruit juice marmalade. Definitely, when prepared at home, it is much safer than store-bought analogues of this dessert; it can be given to children without fear.

To make the dessert you need:

• 2 oranges;
• 1 large grapefruit;
• 100 g sugar;
• a teaspoon of agar-agar.

The fruits need to be washed and peeled, divided into slices without pulp, and then squeezed out the juice. This recipe requires 200 ml of juice. You can experiment with the ratio of orange and grapefruit juice or take them in equal quantities.

Pour the juice into a saucepan and add sugar there. Over low heat until the sugar dissolves, this usually takes about 10 minutes. Then add agar-agar and, stirring continuously, bring the mixture to a boil. Remove it from the heat when the first bubbles appear, indicating the composition is boiling.

After this, the mixture needs to be cooled slightly and poured into silicone molds. Place the latter in the freezer for 15-30 minutes to harden. After the specified time, remove, roll in sugar or powdered sugar and serve. Store marmalade in a craft bag for no more than 5-7 days in the refrigerator.

Baked

The fruit prepared according to this recipe loses its bitterness and sour notes, turning into an exquisite and aromatic dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 grapefruit;
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar;
• teaspoon of cinnamon.

Cut the grapefruit in half and carefully remove the pulp. It is better to do this with a special spoon, being careful not to damage the slices. After this, separate the white films from the slices, and use a spoon to scoop them out of the resulting “vase” - the empty half of the peel.

The slices need to be put back into the peel, sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon on top and baked, first wrapped in foil. The temperature in the oven must be maintained within 75-80 degrees. Baking time – hour.

You can stick star anise or cloves into the pulp and remove them before serving.

Non-alcoholic Margarita

The well-known Margarita cocktail will sparkle with new flavors if you add grapefruit juice to it. In addition to these ingredients, you will also need special cocktail glasses. They have a conical shape and a long stem.

You need to prepare:

• 1 lime;
• 100 ml grapefruit juice;
• 2 tablespoons sugar;
• 6 teaspoons pomegranate syrup;
• ice cubes.

Sugar needs to be ground in a coffee grinder into powder. You can use ready-made powder. It will be needed to create a beautiful “snow rim” on the edges of the glass.

To do this, you need to cut a lime and wipe the top of the glass with half of it. After this, immediately lower the bowl into the powdered sugar and swirl it several times. As a result, a white “rim” will appear around the edges. Shake off excess sugar.

Place 2-3 teaspoons of pomegranate syrup at the bottom of the glass. Grapefruit juice, remaining syrup and ice should be mixed in a shaker and carefully poured into a glass so as not to mix with the syrup at the bottom. You can use a slice of grapefruit or lime for decoration.

Candied fruit

Another sweet from the “quick, tasty, healthy” section is candied grapefruit. The number of ingredients is minimal; the cooking process will seem simple even to novice home cooks.

You will need 2 grapefruits and a glass of sugar. Peel the fruit and separate the white film, and this should be done not from the pulp, but from the peel. It is she who found application in this recipe, but the pulp can be eaten with a clear conscience.

The peel should be cut into strips half a centimeter wide, filled with cold water and left for a day. During this time, you should change the water 5-6 times. This soaking will remove bitterness from the raw materials.

Now the peel strips need to be covered with sugar and weighed. The resulting number is the volume of water that will be required. Add water to the sugar-fruit mixture and place on low heat, stirring occasionally. The cook’s task is to evaporate all the water without allowing the sugar and crusts to burn.

After this, the candied fruits can be placed on a baking sheet or tray lined with baking paper and left overnight or a little longer for final drying. Evidence of readiness will be the absence of moisture when pressing on the candied fruits. Roll the finished sweets in powdered sugar. Store in a sealed tin box or paper bag in a kitchen cabinet.

For more information about the features of grapefruit, watch the following video.

Grapefruit belongs to the tropical fruits of the Rutaceae family. Grapefruit fruits growing on trees outwardly resemble bunches of grapes, which was the reason for the formation of its name, which combines two foreign words of English origin grape (““) and fruit (“fruit”). In the 30s of the last century, grapefruit was called “paradise citrus” or Citrus paradisi in Latin. The homeland of grapefruit is the island of Barbados. It is believed that it appeared as a result of natural crossing and. The plant does not occur wild in nature. Grapefruit is an evergreen plant that is susceptible to frost. Just like other citruses, it can easily crossbreed. It is worth noting that the unique properties of grapefruit have not yet been fully studied and proven.

General characteristics

Grapefruit grows in the Caribbean islands, Israel, South Africa and Brazil. The height of this evergreen tree reaches 15 meters. The ripe fruit is about 15 centimeters in diameter. Grapefruit pulp has a sour taste, and its white veins add bitterness.

The grapefruit harvest begins in early February after almost a year of ripening. There are about twenty varieties of grapefruit in the world, which differ in the color of the peel and pulp: from yellow to light red.

The fruits are eaten mainly raw, which is explained by their ability to be stored for a long time. Jams, juices, liqueurs and candied fruits are also prepared from grapefruits. In cosmetology, essential oil is made from the fruit.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Grapefruit pulp contains a huge amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The energy value of the edible part of the fruit is 35 kcal per 100 grams.

Nutritional value per 100 grams of the edible part of grapefruit

Nutrient	Quantity	Average daily intake for an adult
	35 kcal	1684 kcal
	0.7 g	76 g
	0.2 g	60 g
	6.5 g	211 g
	1.8 g	20 g
	88.8 g	2400 g
	0.5 g	–
	3 mcg	900 mcg
	0.05 mg	1.5 mg
	0.03 mg	1.8 mg
	0.21 mg	5 mcg
	0.04 mg	2 mg
	3 mcg	400 mcg
	45 mg	90 mg
	0.3 mg	15 mg
	0.3 mg	20 mg
	184 mg	2500 mg
	23 mg	1000 mg
	10 mg	400 mg
	13 mg	1300 mg
	18 mg	800 mg
	0.5 mg	18 mg

Useful properties

Grapefruit is the “champion” in terms of the amount of vitamin C, surpassing even citrus fruits such as and. The content of various acids of organic origin, essential oils, phytoncides and naringenin makes it possible to use it in the treatment of various diseases, cosmetology, dietetics, aromatherapy and cooking. The special properties of naringenin, which is contained in the white partitions of the fetus, help with elevated levels in the blood and with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This is why it is not recommended to remove the white veins in grapefruit. In addition, naringenin, as well as bergamottin, effectively disinfect the air. This is why it is recommended to use aroma lamps with grapefruit essential oil during the cold season. This fruit essential oil can also warm and speed up blood circulation when applied to the skin. That is why doctors prescribe massage using grapefruit oil as an additional remedy in the treatment of joints and during the rehabilitation period after ligament tears.

The pulp of the fruit, even with frequent consumption, does not affect the increase in blood sugar, which is ideal for feeding diabetics. The recommended daily allowance for diabetics is one grapefruit per day. Grapefruit is also considered a dietary food that helps in the fight against excess weight. It is worth noting that to combat excess weight and cellulite, a cream based on the essential oil of this fruit and is successfully used. Thanks to these two components, excess fluid is removed from the body, which leads to a decrease in body weight.

Natural antioxidants in the fruit help slow down the natural processes of skin aging, accelerate metabolic processes in the body and promote faster healing of skin wounds.

For people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases due to low acidity, it is recommended to take about 200 grams of grapefruit juice per day. It is useful for older people to consume citrus to reduce blood cholesterol, improve sleep, normalize the nervous system and eliminate headaches. For women during menopause, grapefruit is especially useful due to its tonic effect. Moreover, citrus has a clear antitumor effect on the body.

Grapefruit juice can relieve swelling. Therefore, it is useful for pregnant women to drink freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. The zest of the fruit can eliminate heartburn in the body. However, you should use grapefruit peel with caution because it may be treated with chemicals.

Harm and contraindications

Experts say that some substances contained in grapefruit can be not only beneficial, but also harmful. It is known that the juice of this citrus cannot be combined with certain medications. It is imperative to consult with your doctor before starting to take any medications, as well as birth control pills, about combining them with grapefruit juice. Eating grapefruit while taking birth control pills may reduce the expected effect and lead to an unplanned pregnancy or serious harm to the body. Fruit juice may increase the effect of certain medications and cause side effects.

Eating large amounts of grapefruit can negatively affect the liver, slowing down the process of removing harmful substances from the body. For people with a high level of acidity of gastric juice in the body, with nephritis and hepatitis, it is not recommended to include this fruit in the diet. It is also not recommended for those who are allergic to citrus fruits. Long-term consumption of fruits can deteriorate tooth enamel.

Along with other citrus fruits, grapefruit should not be added to the diet during lactation. This is due to a possible allergy in the child, which manifests itself on the skin in the form of small rashes and swelling.

Nutritionists do not recommend combining grapefruits with mushrooms, fresh mushrooms, and white flour products, because these products together are difficult to digest in the body and can lead to diarrhea and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

American scientists in 2006, as a result of research, identified a special substance in grapefruit, furanocoumarin, which slows down the functioning of hemoproteins. Thus, by consuming fruit and medicine at the same time, the liver “processes” the components of the fruit, and the components of the medicine at this moment circulate inside the body, reaching dangerous concentrations in the blood. In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration even requires drugs to be tested for compatibility with grapefruit juice. It is worth noting that this juice, purified from furanocoumarin, does not have similar side effects.

It has been established that grapefruit juice cannot be combined with the following drugs:

• antibiotics;
• anticoagulants;
• antihistamines;
• anxiolytics;
• antiarrhythmic;
• antidepressants;
• hormonal;
• antiviral;
• antifungal;
• antitumor;
• antitussives.

It is imperative to consult a doctor before starting to take medications to determine whether they are compatible with taking grapefruit.

It is also worth drawing the attention of lovers of grapefruit peels to the fact that almost all producers of grapefruits, when growing, treat them with special chemicals to protect them from harmful insects.

How to select and store

You can choose a fresh and good grapefruit, taking into account a number of several factors:

• bright peel indicates a high content of beta-carotene in the fruit and the sweetness of the fruit;
• the fruit should be heavy, soft and whole;
• the aroma must be clearly expressed;
• Red fruits contain the most antioxidants.

Fruits are best stored on the bottom shelves of the refrigerator or fruit and vegetable container. The recommended shelf life for ripe grapefruits is up to 10 days in the refrigerator or up to 4 days at room temperature.

Medicinal properties

Treatment with grapefruits and grapefruit juice is used in the following cases:

• to improve appetite;
• from heartburn;
• for cardiovascular diseases;
• with high blood pressure;
• with stones in the gall bladder;
• for insomnia;
• to improve your mood.

To get rid of heartburn, you need to grate the grapefruit zest on a fine grater, dry it and consume a teaspoon once a day, chewing slowly. To prevent heart disease, it is recommended to eat one fruit with breakfast several days a week. For gallstones, take four teaspoons of olive oil on an empty stomach, followed by 100 grams of grapefruit juice. To get rid of insomnia, it is recommended to take half a glass of juice with pulp before bed. Grapefruit oil helps improve mood and the quality of information absorption.

Grapefruit Recipes

In cooking, grapefruit is used in combination with seafood, meat, and beef tongue. Juice, soft and alcoholic drinks, preserves, jams, confitures and fruit salads are prepared from the fruits. Sauces and marinades with the addition of grapefruit juice have a special taste.

Vegetable and shrimp salad

Ingredients:

• 200 grams boiled;
• 1 tablespoon olive oil;
• 1 lemon;
• a bunch of dill;
• bunch of leaf;
• 1 grapefruit.

Cooking technology

Finely chop the lettuce and dill. Beat olive oil in a blender with lemon and add dill. Add dressing to cooled shrimp, stir and add lettuce leaves. Thoroughly peel the grapefruit, divide into pieces and place on top of the lettuce leaves.

Ingredients:

• 1 grapefruit;
• vanillin.

Cooking technology

Peel all ingredients, mix in a blender until smooth and place in molds. Place the spread mixture in the freezer for 2-3 hours. You can serve ice cream with condensed milk or grated chocolate.

Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon;
• 1 grapefruit;
• bunch .

Cooking technology

Peel the fruits and grind together with lemongrass in a blender. Serve with some ice cubes added.

Diet

The fruit is widely used for dietary purposes. Nutritionists recommend eating half of this citrus fruit 30 minutes before meals. It is also recommended to eat the fruit instead of breakfast or drink citrus juice before bed.

In addition, the grapefruit diet is widely used for weight loss. It lasts from 3 to 14 days. For breakfast you need to eat one citrus fruit, for lunch - boiled or steamed fish, lean meat and vegetable salad, for dinner - a vegetable salad, and in the evening before going to bed, drink a glass of grapefruit juice with pulp. While following the diet, you must drink 1.5-2.5 liters of fluid daily and do physical exercise. You can supplement your diet with a course of massage using essential oils to enhance the positive effect.

.

Scientific degree: doctor of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences.

Grapefruit gained wide popularity in the 19th century, although these evergreen citrus trees were first discovered on the island of Barbados back in 1750. The large-fruited fruit immediately went down in history as a cultivated fruit, since nothing similar was found in the wild. Scientists have concluded that its appearance was facilitated by the natural process of hybridization between pomelo and. How grapefruit grows can be guessed from its name, since in English it means “grape fruit.”

grapefruit tree

It is very difficult for anyone who has bought grapefruits more than once to imagine a bunch of grapes consisting of at least 2-3 fruits, reaching a weight of 500 g. But, nevertheless, massive grapefruit fruits grow like this: in a heap, 5-7 pieces each, but it happens and twice as much.

The grapefruit tree is the tallest of all citrus varieties. It reaches an average height of 5-7 meters. Some varieties can even grow up to 12 meters. The wood is quite elastic and durable, with a smooth gray-brown bark. Therefore, the branches are able to hold a number of weighty fruits.

The oval large leaves of grapefruit reach 15-17 cm in length. They form a thick spreading crown, which is shaped like an ellipse or a ball. During the flowering period, you can observe an amazing, breathtaking picture. The tree is covered with large, up to 5 cm in diameter, white flowers with a fragrant aroma. This advantage allowed grapefruit to be only an ornamental plant for a long time.

As a result of modern selection, up to 20 varieties of grapefruit have been created, which differ in ripening time, peel color and pulp. The latter can be very light (almost white or yellowish), pink or bright red. The redder the grapefruit pulp, the sweeter it is.

Under what conditions does grapefruit grow?

Grapefruit is a heat-loving plant, so it prefers a subtropical climate, like all its relatives. In our country, this is the Black Sea coast; in America, grapefruit is grown in Florida and Texas. Naturally, large plantations in its homeland - India; Cyprus, Israel, Brazil, and China are puzzled by the supply of grapefruit to European countries.

The plant is demanding of sunlight and soil fertility. It is necessary to ensure a sufficient content of organic matter and mineral salts. If all necessary conditions are met, grapefruit begins to bear fruit in 4-5 years. The fruits grow and ripen for quite a long time: from 9 to 12 months and are not harvested at the same time. In regions where ripening begins in September, grapefruit is harvested until April. In some areas, harvest ripening occurs in February. Thus, on the island of Juventud (Cuba), a real holiday is organized in February in honor of the ripening of grapefruit, which lasts several days and ends with a feast.

Botanical name: Grapefruit (Citrus paradise), genus Citrus, family Rutaceae.

Homeland of grapefruit: India, Asia, USA.

Lighting: photophilous.

Soil: fertile.

Watering: moderate.

Maximum tree height: 15 m.

Average life expectancy: more than 50 years.

Landing: seeds, cuttings.

Description of grapefruit and photo of its leaves

Grapefruit is a medium-sized fruit tree, reaching up to 5-6, sometimes up to 12 m in height. Belongs to evergreen plants. It has smooth, grayish-brown bark. The crown is dense, elliptical or spherical with strong, elastic branches that can support large, weighty fruits. Grapefruit leaves are oval, large, up to 17 cm in length, leathery, alternate, dark green. The flowers are white, up to 6 cm in diameter, with 5-6 petals, single or collected in racemes, and have a pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in May. The fruits are large, up to 16 cm in diameter, slightly flattened, covered with a smooth, shiny, thick light yellow peel with a reddish tint. The peel is difficult to separate from the pulp. The pulp of the fruit is aromatic, juicy, sweet and sour with bitterness, divided into segments. The color of the pulp ranges from yellow-red to deep red. The fruits hang on the branches singly or in clusters of up to 15 pieces. The weight of the fruit is 400-600 g. They ripen in December.

Externally, grapefruit resembles an orange, but it tastes sour and has a bitter aftertaste.

The crop is valued for its high yield and fruits, endowed with many beneficial properties. Up to 700 fruits are obtained from one tree per year.

The gallery below shows a photo of a grapefruit.

How and where grapefruit grows: photos of plants

The plant is not found in the wild. Widely grown in the subtropics and tropics. Countries where grapefruit grows: India, Asia, USA, Georgia, China, Brazil, Israel, southern Russia.

It is also interesting how grapefruit grows. This culture is warm and light-loving. Demanding on soil. It develops well on fertile humus fertilized with mineral salts and organic matter. Under favorable conditions, it begins to bear fruit at 4-5 years of age. The fruit ripening period lasts 9-12 months. The grapefruit consumption season is long. In some climate zones it can last throughout the year. In regions where ripening occurs in September-October, the fruits are harvested until April.

How and under what conditions grapefruit grows can be seen in the photo below:

Fruit of the grapefruit plant

The fruits of the grapefruit plant are used as food. They have medicinal properties. They contain water, sugars, potassium and other minerals, organic acids, vitamins C, D, B, P, and pectins. Bitter-tasting substances are contained in the peel, seeds and film of the fruit.

The fruit is consumed fresh and processed. Used in industry for the production of juices, jams, liqueurs. Fresh fruits are added to salads. Grapefruit juice is poured over the meat, giving the dish a special flavor.

The fruits of this plant are low in calories. 100 g of pulp contains 39 kcal. Therefore, grapefruits, which have a similar chemical composition to other citrus fruits, are an effective product for weight loss.

The zest is used in cooking to improve the taste of meat and fish dishes. It is also used in baking. In order to obtain the zest, it is necessary to thinly cut off the top layer of the peel.

The rind of the citrus grapefruit is quite thick and bitter. It contains a large amount of glycosides. It is added to tea and infusions are made by pouring boiled water over it for 2 hours.

Fruit seeds are valuable raw materials from which grapefruit extract is obtained. Seed extract is included in many medications intended to combat colds and fungal diseases.

Grapefruit is rich in vitamins. The main vitamins contained in its pulp: riboflavin (B2), ascorbic acid (C), niacin (PP), B-carotene, thiamine (B1), folic acid (B9). In addition, it contains many minerals, but very little protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Grapefruit oil, obtained from its seeds, is a yellowish liquid with a pleasant citrus aroma and a slight bitterness. Used in cosmetology, perfumery and medicine.

Grapefruit selection

When choosing fruits, you need to pay attention to their appearance and weight. Preference should be given to intact, large fruits: the larger the fruit, the juicier it is. Taste qualities largely depend on the presence of beta-carotene in the pulp. The amount of this substance in grapefruit can be judged by the color of the peel: the yellower its color, the more beta-carotene the fruit contains, the tastier and sweeter it will be. The fruit should be heavy, soft, without any dark spots or dents on the surface. A juicy and ripe fruit will also be indicated by its aroma. Fully ripe citrus smells very strong. The red-skinned fruits contain large amounts of lycopene, which is an excellent antioxidant.

Use

The thick peel, which fits tightly to the grapefruit pulp, makes peeling it difficult. However, if you know how to remove the peel correctly, this process will not be difficult. Before cleaning citrus, you need to wash it well in running water. Using a sharp knife, make several longitudinal cuts. After this, prying the crust with a knife will easily remove it. The fruit is cut into slices and all white partitions are removed. If the partitions are left, the pulp will be bitter. It should be remembered that it is in the partitions that a large amount of useful substances is contained.

In order to eliminate bitterness, the core in each half is removed, sugar, honey or fructose is added in its place, left for 2-3 hours, after which the fruit is served.

You can remove the bitterness in another way. Remove the leathery, translucent film containing quinic acid and bitter glycosides from each slice.

Storage

Fresh, fully ripe fruits are not stored for a long time. The riper the fruit, the faster it will spoil. In order to extend the shelf life of grapefruit, it is stored in the refrigerator. The maximum storage period is no more than 10 days. After this, the citrus dries out and loses its taste and aroma.

The duration of storage of fruits in storage at a temperature of +7-12⁰С and air humidity of 85-95% reaches several months. To do this, the fruits are picked slightly unripe. As they ripen, the intensity of their color increases, and when it reaches its maximum, it begins to decrease. During the entire storage period, fruits retain their taste, aroma and valuable properties.

Grapefruit varieties

To date, about 20 varieties of this plant have been bred. They all differ in color, taste of the pulp, the presence of seeds inside the fruit and are divided into 3 groups: white with yellowish pulp, pink and red. Some varieties have a lot of seeds, while others have them completely absent. The red American variety “Ruby”, bred in 1929, is in high demand. In addition, the varieties “Rio Red”, “Flame”, “Duncan”, “Flame”, “Marsh” and many others have gained popularity on the market.

The most widely distributed variety in Russia is “Marsh”, the fruits of which contain from 0 to 8 seeds, and the variety “Pink Marsh” with pink flesh and 3-5 seeds.

On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, the varieties “Gulripshsky” and “Yubileiny” are cultivated.

The Duncan variety is suitable for growing indoors. The plant has a decorative, spreading crown, large, elongated leaves, white flowers, collected in clusters of 3-10 buds. The fruits are yellow, spherical, weighing up to 400 g. Their pulp is juicy, sweet and sour, with a slight bitterness. Fruiting begins 4 years after planting.

To grow the Duncan grapefruit tree, choose well-lit places. If there is a lack of light, energy-saving fluorescent lamps are used. In low light, the leaves stretch towards the light, while the branches bend and weaken.

In good conditions, homemade grapefruit grows up to 2 m in height.

In spring, the plant is transplanted into a larger pot and the soil is renewed. For a 5-7 year old individual, a container with a height of 40-50 cm and a diameter of 50 cm is required.

Grapefruit "Flame" is known all over the world for its taste. Its skin is smooth, yellow, with a reddish tint. The pulp is dark red, sweet, without any bitter taste.

Photos of the grapefruit tree and its varieties are presented below in the photo gallery.

The plant got its name from the English. grape (grapes) and fruit (fruit), which translated means “grape fruit”. The reason for this name was the fruits of this tree, collected in clusters, similar to bunches of grapes. Previously, grapefruit was considered a hybrid obtained by crossing a lemon and an orange. To date, it has been established that its ancestors are wild orange and pomelo. The basic properties and taste qualities were transferred from the pomelo to the “grape fruit”.

Grapefruit was first found on the island of Barbados, from where it was transported to America. In the 20th century, it began to be widely cultivated in European countries. It was first grown as an ornamental tree with beautiful, fragrant flowers and glossy leaves. It was not used for food due to its bitter taste. After ripening, the fruits fell to the ground. Interest in grapefruit as a fruit crop appeared only at the end of the 19th century. The first ships with fruit were sent to New York and Philadelphia. Gradually, citrus gained popularity in other countries.