Grapefruit is a healthy citrus fruit high in vitamin C, dietary fiber and antioxidants. Ranging from 4 to 6 inches in diameter, grapefruit has a yellow rind and an interior that can be pink, red or white, depending on the variety. Some varieties contain seeds, while others are seedless. Juicy and tart, grapefruit can be consumed raw. While often eaten at breakfast, grapefruit can make a healthy snack any time of day.
Step 1
Wash the uncut, unpeeled grapefruit. Washing ensures that any pesticides or bacteria that might be on the outside of the fruit will be removed. Otherwise, they could spread to the edible inside when the rind is broken.
Step 2
Cut the grapefruit in half with a sharp knife. The cut should be made horizontally through the middle of the grapefruit, leaving a top and bottom half, not vertically through the ends.
Step 3
Remove any visible seeds with the tip of a grapefruit spoon. A grapefruit spoon has a serrated tip that can cut through the interior sections of the grapefruit. Alternately, a curved grapefruit knife can be used to remove the seeds and fruit sections from the rind.
Step 4
Sprinkle some sugar or salt on the grapefruit halves. This step is optional, since some people prefer to proceed with the grapefruit unseasoned.
Step 5
Slide the grapefruit spoon into a chunk of fruit, avoiding the white membrane separating the sections. The membrane is bitter, so will add a bitter taste to the grapefruit if you happen to scoop up some along with the sweet-tasting fruit.
Step 6
Scoop out all of the grapefruit sections and eat the fruit.
Step 7
Turn the grapefruit halves, now empty of fruit, upside down over a cup. Squeeze the remaining juice out of the halves to drink.
Tips and Warnings
- Another alternative to cutting the grapefruit is to peel it and eat the sections like you would an orange. Grapefruit is at its juiciest when served at room temperature, but if you plan on storing the fruit for a few days or weeks before consumption, you can keep it in the refrigerator. The antioxidant content is highest when grapefruit is fully ripe, so keep this in mind when choosing a grapefruit.
- If you are on any type of medication, talk to your doctor before consuming grapefruit. Grapefruit interacts with many types of drugs, including medicines for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, heart arrhythmia and HIV.
Things You'll Need
- Knife
- Grapefruit spoon
- Cup
Member Comments