All About Pink Grapefruit

All grapefruits are sour and they all have pips. At least, that is what we think. This is not completely true, though. Pink grapefruit tends to be sweeter than some other varieties and it has far fewer pips. There is a lot more to them, which you can find out by learning all about pink grapefruit.

Origins of Pink Grapefruit

A pink grapefruit is a variety of grapefruit, that has a pinker color than some other grapefruits.

As a species, the grapefruit is a hybrid citrus fruit produced from crossing the pomelo. This natural hybrid dates back to the 17^th century, when a sailor imported pomelo seeds to Jamaica, where the sweet orange was indigenous.

There are different varieties of grapefruit, some of which are pink, red or white. The difference in the pink grapefruit is that they tend to have fewer seeds than some older white ones. This is thought to make them easier and more pleasant to eat.

Benefits of Pink Grapefruit

The grapefruit is a versatile fruit that has a lot of benefits, all of which can be found in pink grapefruits too.

Vitamins

Vitamin A helps improve your vision and growth. It is necessary for cell division and is an antioxidant.

Vitamin B is important to the health of your cells and your brain function. It can also help to boost your energy.

Vitamin C is a very important support of your immune system. It is also vital for the growth and repair of cells in the whole body.

Diet

Grapefruits are low in calories and can help with weight loss or maintain a healthy weight. Grapefruit is rich in fiber and can make you feel fuller, so you eat less. In this way, it can contribute to controlling your weight, which is important for your health: this means good results for obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Pink Grapefruit Is Special

The pink varieties of grapefruit share the same qualities as other grapefruit, but they have an added advantage. Among the pigments that color the flesh of the grapefruits are carotene pigments: beta-carotene, which gives the grapefruit some of its Vitamin A; and lycopene, which causes the reddish color.

Pink grapefruit contain fewer pigments than red grapefruit, which means that the values of the lycopene are reduced. However, the benefits gained from lycopene are still found in pink grapefruit.

Lycopene is a strong antioxidant, which is associated with a number of health benefits, including heart health and certain cancers. Antioxidants are important, as they help to reduce the effects in the body of free radicals, which can damage cells. When there are too many free radicals in your body, then they can lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart diseases.

This means that pink grapefruits can contribute towards preventing heart disease and cancerous cells.

To learn more about the health benefits that grapefruit juice offers (as well as important information about potential risks and adverse reactions with medications), click here to read our blog article.

Growing a Pink Grapefruit Tree at Home

One of the most desirable features of pink grapefruit trees is that they are evergreen, so if you grow one in your garden, you will have luscious leaves the whole year round.

One of the possible drawbacks is that they can grow very large (up to 4 meters high and 4 meters diameter of the canopy). However, this is just something to remember when you consider planting a grapefruit tree.

You can contain the size of the tree by pruning it each year, but this can affect the quality and size of the crop in the next growing season.

Position

If you do plant a pink grapefruit tree in your garden, then the placement is very important:

• Choose a spot that has at least two meters around it, for the tree to grow into.
• The spot must be sunny, because grapefruits need quite a lot of direct sunlight.
• Take note of the soil. If it is well-drained and loamy, then this will suit a grapefruit tree. If it is quite clay-based, then you can add gypsum (available at your local nursery or garden shop) to improve the profile of the soil.

Mulch

You should protect the base of your grapefruit tree, especially in winter, by surrounding the trunk with mulch. However, make sure that it is not too thick and starts about 10 inches (20cm) from the trunk.

Make sure that you don’t over-water the tree, because the roots can become water-logged and develop root rot.

Water

A grapefruit tree needs to be watered about twice a week. You should aim to keep the soil around the trunk damp. The trick is to check the top two inches (5cm) of the soil. If this is dry, then the tree needs to be watered. Try to spread your watering around the tree, so that it covers the whole area under the spread of the leaves.

Fertilizer

You will need to feed your grapefruit tree about three times a year, to encourage growth. Use a general fertilizer, which you can find at your local nursery, or garden shop. Spread the fertilizer all around the base of the tree, right to the edge of the leaf span and water the whole area thoroughly. You should fertilize the tree in early spring, summer and late fall.

For a complete guide on how to grow a grapefruit tree in your home garden, visit this link on our website.

Eating Grapefruit

Because grapefruit has a tart flavor, it can complement sweet foods. So, enjoy grapefruit segments with blueberries and a drizzle of honey, or dab some mascarpone onto a grapefruit half and sprinkle with some brown sugar.

Grapefruit also complements spices and herbs, especially if used with a bland base, such as chicken. Grapefruit flesh or juice can be used as an alternative to salad dressing.

If you have a crop of grapefruit, scoop the segments out of the skin and freeze them. You can put these into smoothies, or defrost them and crush them to make juice.

For some inspiration about ways to use grapefruit, check out this blog article on 21 Amazing Grapefruit Recipes.

FAQs

Are all grapefruits good for you?

All types of grapefruit contain nutrients and enzymes that help to boost your immune system and to help protect you from illness. Pink grapefruits are even healthier because they contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant and helps to prevent some chronic diseases.

Do I need to go on a grapefruit diet to lose weight?

Because of the nutrients and enzymes in grapefruit, even just eating them as part of a balanced diet can help you to control your weight.

Final Thoughts on Pink Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit is not quite the same as any grapefruit. It is the pink pigment that contains the key to an even healthier life. So, eating pink grapefruit is eating healthy in all ways possible.

Have a question or comment about pink grapefruits? Leave them in the comments section below!

Want to learn more about grapefruits? Next, visit our grapefruit trees page to discover information on planting, growing, caring, cooking, and more!