Grapefruit, known as citrus paradisi, is a member of the citrus family thought to be a hybrid of the pummelo and orange, according to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. Grapefruit was first discovered in the West Indies in the 1700s and brought to Florida in the 1820s. Grapefruit grow in clusters on trees like grapes, and they provide many health benefits such as vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Several types of grapefruit exist -- each with its own distinct taste and appearance.
Pink Grapefruit Types
Two types of pink grapefruit are the Thompson and Foster grapefruit. Known as Pink Marsh grapefruit, Thompson grapefruit were first discovered in Florida in 1913 by W.R. Thompson, according to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. Thompson grapefruit are seedless with a light-yellow, smooth peel and pink flesh. Like other Marsh species of grapefruit, the Thompson has a low bitterness and fine balance of sugar and acid, according to IMG Citrus. A less popular brand of pink grapefruit is the Foster Pink Flesh, which was discovered in Florida in 1906. It has a smooth, light-yellow peel blushed with pink color, with a light buff-colored pulp that is pinkish near the center. The Foster grapefruit is tender and juicy, but it contains up to 50 or more seeds of medium size, which may explain its lack of popularity with consumers.
White Grapefruit Types
The White Marsh grapefruit, with a very smooth, light yellow peel and buff-colored pulp, are virtually seedless, extremely juicy and rich in flavor. A variety of white grapefruit with seeds is known as the Duncan, which is very juicy with a light-yellow peel and buff-colored pulp.
Red Grapefruit Types
Several types of red grapefruit exist, such as Ruby Red and Star Ruby. The Ruby Red grapefruit, also known as Redblush, were first discovered on a Thompson pink grapefruit tree in the 1920s, according to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. With a pale yellow skin, seedless interior and distinctive bright red flesh, the Ruby Red grapefruit taste ranges from somewhat bitter to sweet and tart. Ruby Red grapefruit are grown largely in southeastern Florida and are harvested typically from November to May.
Another red grapefruit species derived from the pink grapefruit Foster tree in the mid 1930s in Texas was originally known as Hudson Red. This species had a lot of seeds and a coarse texture, but after irradiation of the seeds, the result of one of the seedlings was the Star Ruby. The Star Ruby has a yellow peel and a bright red flesh about three times brighter than that of the Ruby Red. It has a pulp smoother and firmer than that of the Ruby Red. The Star Ruby is mostly seedless with a taste containing more sugar and acid than the Ruby Red species.
References
- Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products: Grapefruit
- Centers for Disease Control: Fruit of the Month: Grapefruit
- Citrus.com: Ruby Red Grapefruit
- University of Florida Extension: Facts About Citrus Fruits and Juices: Grapefruit
- IMG Citrus: IMG Citrus Offers all Fresh Florida Citrus Varieties
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