Grapefruits are a citrus fruit with a sweet-tangy flavor that reach their peak season in the winter months. Rich in vitamin C, grapefruits can help support your immune system through cold and flu season.
When buying grapefruits, there are a few ways to spot the sweetest, juiciest fruit to enjoy.
A ripe grapefruit should have a yellow peel that may have a tinge of red or pink. Avoid fruits with green spots, which may be underripe. You should also avoid fruits with soft brown spots, since these grapefruits may be overripe or damaged.
The skin should be firm and taut. Give the grapefruit a light squeeze; it should yield slightly and then bounce back. Also, avoid grapefruits with skin that is dull, wrinkled, or overly bumpy.
A ripe grapefruit will have flat poles. The poles are the fruit’s top and bottom ends, with the dimples. Choose a fruit that is slightly oval with flat sides rather than perfectly round.
When selecting a grapefruit, weigh the fruit in your palm. You want a fruit that feels surprisingly heavy for its size. This indicates a high liquid content, meaning the grapefruit will be juicy.
There are three main varieties of grapefruit, based on the color of their flesh: white, pink/red, and star ruby/rio red. The pink and red fruits tend to be sweeter and higher in nutrients.
Peak season for citrus fruits like grapefruit is in the winter, as they grow in warm climates, such as in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas.
Although you can buy grapefruits year-round in most supermarkets, in-season selections are often considered sweeter and more flavorful. Fruits grown in their natural season come to full ripeness, while fruits grown out of season are often picked slightly early. This can affect the fruit’s juiciness, flavor intensity, and texture.
Also, in-season produce may retain more nutrients, as vitamins will break down with long-term storage. Eating fruit that is freshly picked will ensure you get the most nutrients.
Once you have selected your grapefruit, here are a few tips for storing the fruit:
- Store your grapefruit at room temperature for up to a week. The grapefruit will continue to sweeten as it sits out.
- Alternatively, keep the grapefruit in the refrigerator for up to two to three weeks.
- After cutting the fruit open, store it in the refrigerator for up to three to five days.
There are a few ways to enjoy grapefruit:
- Cut it in half and spoon out each section.
- Peel the fruit and eat it like an orange.
- Cut up the fruit to use as a topping on salads, yogurts, or other dishes.
- Broil it in the oven with a light dusting of sugar for a sweet dessert.
