Main Difference – Grapefruit vs Pomelo
Grapefruit and pomelo belong to the family of citrus. In spite of their many similarities, these grapefruit and pomelo have some important differences. Nutritionally, all citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. However, grapefruit is derived from a different plant known as Citrus × paradisi whereas pomelo is derived from Citrus maxima; Pomelo is also considered as the biggest fruit in the citrus family. This is the main difference between grapefruit and pomelo. The purpose of this article is to highlight the difference between grapefruit and pomelo.
What is Grapefruit
The orange is a hybrid variety between sweet orange (C. sinesis) and pomelo (C. maxima). The grapefruit is a subtropical citrus, perennial, flowering plant, with a normal height of 5-6 m. It is originated in Barbados. China is the top producer in the world. Grapefruits usually range from four to six inches in diameter, and they have both seed and seedless fruits as well as pink and white varieties. Compared to other oranges, it is easy to remove the skin or peel of grapefruits and readily separate into individual sections. It is generally peeled and in consumed fresh form. The fresh fruit is also used in marmalade, salads, desserts and main serving dishes. Furthermore, fresh juice and frozen juice concentrates are also prepared using grapefruits.
What is Pomelo
This giant citrus pomelo fruit is native to Malaysia. Malaysia is also the top pumelo producer in the world. However, it is also cultivated in South Asian countries like Sri Lanka and India as well as in western countries in California and Israel. Nowadays, most of the pomelo varieties are hybrid or cross breeds, and a large pomelo is the biggest fruit of all citrus. Its peel is very thick but soft and easy to peel away. Depending on the cultivar, the resulting fruit flesh is light yellow to coral pink, and can vary from juicy to slightly dry and from spicy-sweet to tangy and tart. Pomelo is also considered as the ancestor of the grapefruit.
Difference Between Grapefruit and Pomelo
Grapefruit and pomelo may have substantially different sensory properties and applications. These differences may include,
Origin
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is originated in Barbados.
Pomelo: Pomelo is originated in South and Southeast Asia.
Scientific Classification
Grapefruit:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Rutaceae
- Genus: Citrus
- Species: × paradise
- Binomial name: Citrus × paradisi
Pumelo:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Rutaceae
- Genus: Citrus
- Species: maxima
- Binomial name: Citrus maxima Merr.
Hybridization
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is a hybrid variety between sweet orange (C. Sinensis) and pomelo or shaddock (C. maxima).
Pomelo: Pomelo is a natural or non-hybrid citrus fruit.
Peel Color
Grapefruit: The peel is yellow-orange in color.
Pumelo: Unripe fruit is pale green and turns yellow during ripening.
Nature of Peel
Grapefruit: Grapefruit has a soft and thin peel compared to pumelo. Ripe fruit peel is a deep orange color with a smooth and glossy appearance.
Pomelo: Pomelo has a soft and very thick peel compared to grapefruit. Also, the peel is a pebbly-skinned nature.
Color of Fruit Flesh
Grapefruit: Grapefruit flesh has different colors depending on the cultivars such as white, pink and red pulps.
Pomelo: Pomelo flesh has different colors depending on the cultivars such as sweet white or pink or red flesh.
Size of Fruit
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is smaller than pomelo.
Pomelo: Pomelo is larger than grapefruit. It is a large citrus fruit, 15–25 centimeters in diameter and 1–2 kilograms in weight.
Taste
Grapefruit: Grapefruit has sweet flavor, and its acidity is somewhat low compared to other standards oranges
Pomelo: Pomelo has a tart, tangy and sweet flavor.
Uses
Grapefruit: Grapefruit is mainly used as a snack/fruits after main meal.
Pomelo: Pomelo is mainly used as a snack/fruits after main meal. It is also used for fresh juice, frozen juice concentrate, canning, marmalade, toffees and fruit salad preparation purposes. In addition to the fruit, the peel is used as a spice for cooking and wine production.
Alternative Names
Grapefruit: Grapefruit has no any alternative names.
Pumelo: This is also known as pomelo, pomello, pummelo, pommelo, pamplemousse, jabong (Hawaii), shaddick, or shaddock.
References:
Hodgson, Richard Willard (1967). Chapter 4: Horticultural Varieties of Citrus. The Citrus Industry (Revised edition) (University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences). Retrieved February 14, 2009.
Nicolosi, E., Deng, Z. N., Gentile, A., La Malfa, S., Continella, G. and Tribulato, E. (2000). Citrus phylogeny and genetic origin of important species as investigated by molecular markers. TAG Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 100(8): 1155–1166.
Lee HS (May 2000) Objective measurement of red grapefruit juice color. J. Agric. Food Chem. 48 (5): 1507–11.
Armando C, Maythe S, Beatriz NP (1997) Antioxidant activity of grapefruit seed extract on vegetable oils. J Sci Food Agric. 77 (4): 463–7.
Image Courtesy:
“Pomelo” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Sliced pink grapefruit” by Citrus_paradisi_(Grapefruit,_pink).jpg: א (Aleph)derivative work: — raeky – Citrus_paradisi_(Grapefruit,_pink).jpg, (CC-BY-SA 2.5) via Common Wikimedia
