Grapefruit is often considered to be one of those foods that you either love or hate. It has a very distinctive taste and powerful health benefits and has been the focal point of fad diets over the years. If it has been a while since you tried a grapefruit, maybe it’s time to revisit this familiar fruit!
How Grapefruit is Grown
Grapefruits grow on trees that are subtropical citrus plants that prefer warm weather. The origin of the grapefruit tree takes us to Barbados in the 1700s, when sweet orange trees and pomelo trees were crossed to make a hybrid plant. Today’s grapefruit trees reach heights up to 20 feet tall and have medium-to-dark green foliage. They are beautiful additions to any garden and do best when planted in the fall or spring.
Types of Grapefruit
However, not all grapefruits are the same, as they are at least 10 varieties of this fruit. With pulp ranging from yellow to pink and red, common types of grapefruit are Ruby Red, Sweetie, Redblush, Triumph, and Duncan. There are also Foster, Thompson, Paradise Navel, Marsh, and Oroblanco grapefruits available.
Nutrition in Grapefruits
Grapefruit is among the most nutritious fruits that exist in our world. They are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. Therefore, many people eat them to support their immunity, reduce inflammation, and stay feeling full after eating for longer. Other nutrients contained in grapefruit include potassium, folate, thiamine, and antioxidants.
How to Eat and Use Grapefruits
Most people eat grapefruits raw and straight out of the peel. Divide a grapefruit into two equal halves and eat the fruit inside with a spoon. You can also peel a grapefruit in the same way as you would an orange and eat it in slices.
If you dislike the pure taste of grapefruit, try blending it with other fruits in a smoothie or juicer. You can also add slices of grapefruit to salads or broil it with a bit of brown sugar for a sweet treat combined with yogurt for a sweeter, mellower taste.
How Seagate Uses Grapefruits
Not only are grapefruits healthy to eat on their own, but they can also be used in homeopathic remedies and household cleaning products. Seagate uses grapefruit seed extract in several of our products, including Earache Remedy. This ingredient and the others contained in this homeopathic medicine have antimicrobial properties to help control ear irritations.
Our Olive Leaf Acne Remedy also contains grapefruit seed extract to aid the other ingredients in the natural treatment of acne, cold sores, eczema, and skin pustular eruptions. To keep your home naturally clean, our Olive Leaf Surface Cleaner is a mix of 1% grapefruit seed extract and 99% olive leaf extract. The grapefruit seed extract is a natural antimicrobial ingredient commonly used for nose and throat irritations, plus a natural stabilizer in foods.
What is your favorite way to eat, prepare, or use grapefruit? Share your ideas with us in the comment section below!