The fruits I’ve had were all seedless with a few very tiny underdeveloped seeds. The membrane between slices is very tough and papery, you’ll definitely want to remove it as I demonstrate in the video.

The rind of a pomelo is quite thick, but once scored, fairly easy to peel. Botanists believe that the pomelo came before the grapefruit and that the grapefruit is a cross between a pomelo and an orange.Īs it ripens the skin typically turns from green to yellow although some green may remain on the peel even when at its ripest. The skin of the pomelo is smooth like a grapefruit, but the fruit itself is quite a bit larger. The Honey Pomelo is the big guy! Other citrus include grapefruit, lemon, oranges and lime. You can always try asking the produce manager if he happens to know the variety or colour of the pomelo if that’s really important to you. “Ruby Pomelo” and “Jaffa Red” were deep pink varieties that were very similar in flavor to the honey pomelo. We’ve also bought pomelos labelled as “Grapefruit Pomelo” which was light pink, juicier and a little more tart than the honey pomelo. Based on my experience, unless specifically labelled otherwise, it is the light yellow Honey pomelo that is being sold under the “Pomelo” sign. Pomelo varieties are often not identified in the store. The flesh color is semi-transparent and may be pale lime, yellow, peach or dark pink depending on variety. While some varieties are more juicy than others, pomelo is typically less juicy than other citrus fruit. Pomelo is the least acidic of all citrus fruit and does not taste as “sour” as other citrus fruit. It comes in several different varieties all larger than grapefruit. It’s the biggest of all citrus fruit weighing between 2-4 pounds (1-2 kg). Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.Pomelo is a type of citrus fruit native to South and SouthEast Asia. Relatively new to California, the pomelo, also spelled pomelo, is rarely found in the eastern part of the United States. Thus, the pomelo is often referred to as a Shaddock, among other aliases. Believed to be an ancestor to grapefruit, an East Indian ship captain by the name of Shaddock first brought the seeds of this fruit to the West Indies in the mid-seventeenth century. Pomelos thrive in tropical lowlands and love to be around brackish water conditions, unlike other citrus. Sometimes called the Chinese grapefruit, this giant fruit is very popular in the Malaysia-Indochina region where it originated. Use promptly for optimum quality and flavor. Pair with seafood, coconut, papaya, peanuts, chile, garlic, and Thai or Asian spices.

Separate segments, pulling or cutting off the membrane. Cut off ends score skin peel away pith and rind. This nutritious fruit provides a source for vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, calcium, potassium, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.Įvery bit of the heavy pith and membrane must be removed to make this giant gem edible. The word pomelo means grapefruit in Spanish. Grown locally in San Diego, California, pomelo season begins in the fall and continues into April or May. No matter what, however, they are never bitter. It may be juicy or a bit dry, acidic to sweet and seedy to nearly seedless. The pulp may be rich pink, pale pink, light yellow or whitish and varies in taste from one variety to another. Ranging from the size of a baby cantaloupe to almost basketball size, this fruit can weigh several pounds.

Greenish to yellow to pinkish, it's wrapped in a very thick skin and may be five to ten inches in diameter. Pronounced pum-MEL-o and the largest of all citrus fruits, the pomelo is slightly round or pear-shaped.

Pomelo vs grapefruit