Wednesday, 04 December 2024

GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, a vitamin that helps to support the immune system.

Grapefruit is one of the largest citrus fruit commonly available today. The grapefruit has a high juice and sugar content as the growing conditions on the island are perfect. Grapefruit's unique taste, profile and beautiful outside appearance combined with its excellent keeping qualities of up to 3 month, (in proper cooling conditions) help to stimulate demand for the “forbidden” fruit. Grapefruit comes in many varieties, determinable by colour, which is caused by the pigmentation of the fruit.The most popular varieties available today referring to the inside pulp and outside blush of the fruit are: White (White Marsh), Pink (Red Blush) and Red (Star Ruby/Rio Red).

White Marsh is round and medium in size , the peel is light yellow, very smooth and mildly aromatic. Its pulp is buff and melting, extremely juicy and rich in flavor.

Ruby (Ruby Red, Redblush) is described as seedless despite the fact that typically has few seeds and displays reddish colour. Apart from the colour Ruby is virtually identical to Marsh. Its taste has a tender, melding quality, leaving a pleasing aftertaste.

Star Ruby has a yellow peel which is distinctly red blushed. Star Ruby has red pulp and red juice when you squeeze it. Its rind is thin while its flesh is smooth and has high juice content, which is 3 times more colorful than the Red Blush. Furthermore is almost invariably seedless, rarely having more than one or two seeds in a minority of fruit.

Nutritious Values

  • Very low in calories, consists of just 42 calories per 100 g.
  • Rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin.
  • Boosts Metabolism Very good levels of vitamin-A (provides about 1150 IU per 100g) and flavonoid antioxidants (naringenin, and naringin).
  • Moderate source of lycopene, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein Excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; providing about 52% of DRI.
  • Both red and blond grapefruits both positively influenced cholesterol levels, but red grapefruit was more than twice as effective, especially in lowering triglycerides.

All varieties of Grapefruit are available from October to March

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