The main difference between blood orange and grapefruit is that blood orange, as its name suggests, is a variety of orange, whereas grapefruit is a cross between orange and pomelo.
Both blood oranges and grapefruits are known for their characteristic flavour. Although blood oranges have a certain tartness, they are also sweet in flavour. In fact, we can describe their flavour as a blend of orange, raspberry, and cranberry. Grapefruit, on the other hand, is known to have a certain bitterness.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Blood Orange
– Definition, Features
2. What is Grapefruit
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Blood Orange and Grapefruit
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Blood Orange, Grapefruit, Orange
What is Blood Orange
Blood orange is a variety of orange with crimson-colored flesh. As its name suggests, its flesh is similar to the color of the blood. This color comes from anthocyanin, a pigment that is common to many flowers but rare in citrus fruits. From the outside, blood oranges look just like regular oranges, with an orange peel. But they have a sweeter taste and fewer seeds than other oranges. In addition, they are harder to peel. However, their flavor is a blend of orange and raspberry. While they are less acidic than navel oranges, they do have a certain tartness in their flavour. If we look at their size, they tend to be other varieties of oranges.
The exact origins of blood oranges are unknown, but they are believed to be a natural mutation of sweet oranges. The main producer of blood oranges is Italy. The peak time for these fruits is during the winter. Like other citrus fruits, blood oranges are high in vitamin C and are known to have antioxidant properties.
What is Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a large round yellow/orange citrus fruit having an acid juicy pulp. Grapefruits are a cross between sweet orange and pomelo. But they are smaller than pomelo fruits and larger than oranges. It was originally cultivated in Barbados, but now it’s grown all over the world. Grapefruit is known to have a characteristic bitterness or tartness.
The inner flesh of the fruit can vary from pale yellow to dark pink. The sweetness of the fruit varies on the inner color of the fruit. But all varieties of grapefruits (there are several varieties, including Duncan’, ‘Flame,’ ‘Ruby Red,’ ‘Henderson,’ ‘Star Ruby,’ and ‘Hudson’) have a mellow bitter aftertaste.
You can eat grapefruits raw just like you eat any other orange like clementine or mandarin. You can even add it to salads. Although grapefruit is not sweet like oranges, still some people use it for desserts.
Difference Between Blood Orange and Grapefruit
Definition
Blood orange is a variety of orange with a crimson-colored flesh while grapefruit is a large round yellow/orange citrus fruit having an acid juicy.
Orange
Blood orange, as its name suggests, is a variety of orange, whereas grapefruit is a cross between orange and pomelo.
Taste
We can describe the flavour of blood oranges as a blend of orange, raspberry, and cranberry, while that of grapefruit is a certain bitterness.
Inner Flesh
Blood oranges have a crimson or dark blood red inner flesh, while the inner flesh of grapefruit varies from pale yellow to dark pink.
Conclusion
Blood orange is a variety of orange, whereas grapefruit is a cross between orange and pomelo. Moreover, the flavour of blood oranges can be described as a blend of orange, raspberry, and cranberry, while grapefruit is known to have a certain bitterness. So, this is the main difference between blood orange and grapefruit.
Reference:
1. “What Is a Blood Orange? Everything You Need to Know about This Citrus Fruit.” Spoon University.
2. Watson, Molly. “Get the Scoop on Juicy, Red and Sweet Blood Oranges.” The Spruce Eats.
3. Covington, Linnea. “What Is Grapefruit?” The Spruce Eats.
Image Courtesy:
1. “BloodOrange” By Silentcynic – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit, pink)-2” By א (Aleph) – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
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