This article was written by Sagit Kiersstein from the ultimateguidetoeverything.
What is a Pomelo?
Pomelo, also known as the giant orange, is the largest representative of citrus fruits – it can reach up to 13 inches in diameter and weigh five pounds. The yellow, yellow-green, or pinkish spongy skin can be up to 2 inches thick. Why does a it look like a grapefruit?
Pomelo was created by crossing grapefruit with Chinese orange. However, its pulp is sweeter, less acidic, and unfortunately less aromatic and juicy than grapefruit pulp. The flesh may be white, green, or red, with the most valuable nutrients being white.
Where Does Pomelo Grow?
As early as 4,200 years ago, ancient Chinese literature mentioned huge yellow citrus. They were undoubtedly the Pomelos! But how did they end up in China?
The fruit grows in tropical climates (it comes from Malaysia, Thailand), and is currently grown mainly in China and India, southern islands of Japan, as well as in Mexico and Israel. It grows on trees that are several meters high.
It was brought to Europe by the British during the colonization. Along with geographic discoveries, pomelo seeds traveled, among others to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Barbados. Europeans got to know the taste of this fruit thanks to the Spaniards in the 17th century.
How Does it Taste?
An Exotic fruit that on first bite can be a taste puzzle. It resembles a grapefruit, and its weight is a ripe red Sicilian orange. But does it taste like its citrus cousins? Pomelo is definitely less juicy, but sweeter than grapefruit.
So, if you are disturbed by the characteristic bitterness of grapefruits, but you do not want to reach for mandarins or oranges, then pomelo will be a good choice. In terms of sweetness, it does not match ripe and plump oranges. However, it perfectly complements them, as we will prove below.
Nutritional Value
Like lemon, kumquat, and oranges, Pomelo contains vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and proper blood circulation. Also containing vitamins B1 and B2, they are fantastic for better concentration and visual acuity. B vitamins are necessary to counteract weakness, insomnia, or skin changes.
This citrus also provides large doses of microelements, including potassium which has a positive effect on heart function. It also provides copper, zinc, iron, sodium, and calcium.
Pomelo is the citrus fruit richest in vitamin C (approx. 61mg / 100g). There is more of this vitamin that strengthens the immune system than in an orange (approx. 50mg / 100g), and in the grapefruit that resembles it (approx. 34mg /100g). Superior even to lemon in terms of its content, widely considered the richest source of vitamin C (approx. 53mg / 100g).
Weighing an average of 600-700g, 1/6 of this delicious fruit covers almost 100% of the daily requirement for vitamin C (i.e., approx. 70mg).
Pomelo Juice
Pomelo can be squeezed into juice, and we recommend combining it in a 1:1 ratio with freshly squeezed orange juice. This is a delicious way to protect yourself from catching a cold. Just cut the juicy fruit in half and use the manual or electric citrus juicer to prepare a tasty drink.
How to Peel a Pomelo – A Practical Guide
First, cut off the upper part by the tail, then gently cut the peel lengthwise into about four equal parts, but do not cut into the fruit! The peel is quite thick, so it will not be difficult. We tear off pieces of pomelo skin, and then, starting from the center by the tail, we tear off the sections like in a mandarin.
It is also worth remembering to remove inedible pomelo seeds – usually, there are not many of them, but you need to be vigilant. The taste experience will also be better if we remove the white, bitter skin, as well as the membranes between the citrus sections.
Buying a Pomelo – What to Remember
Remember that exotic fruits have to go a long way before they find their way to our kitchen. If possible, choose products from crops that are guided by sustainable agriculture. When buying a pomelo, remember that the heavier it is, the fresher it is.
The longer the fruit is transported and stored, the faster it dries out and loses weight. Large pomelos weigh up to 4-5 lbs., and can be up to 8-9 inches in diameter. They come in different varieties, the most common in stores is yellow-green, but we also have a choice of all yellow and pink.
The flesh, in turn, is yellow or pink. Pomelo can be stored for up to several days, preferably on a kitchen counter. Like other exotic fruits, it does not tolerate too low of temperatures, so if we buy a large, juicy, and tasty fruit, it is worth using it quickly.
Consider trying pomelo in your favorite salad or citrus recipe by replacing grapefruit or orange with delicious pomelo!
If you liked the information about pomelo, definitely leave us a comment or contact us as discussing recipes is what we look forward to doing with all of you.
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