Getting the Most From Your Florida Red Grapefruit
It may be time to forget that old “apple a day” truism. Or at least augment it with “a grapefruit a day” – according to health researchers as well as those who simply love the refreshingly tangy taste of Florida red grapefruit. Not only are we discovering that red grapefruit is really, really good for us, but that it also really, really tastes great.
Red grapefruit boasts a naturally sweet flavor. Some people insist on ladling a spoonful of honey, turbinado (raw sugar cane extract), sugar or artificial sweetener on it. Others maintain that if you “train” your taste buds to not need so much sugar – by restricting your intake of it a little each day – you won’t even consider putting extra sweetener on the plenty-sweet-enough Florida red grapefruit.
When purchasing many fruits and vegetables, including red grapefruit, most people plunk them in their refrigerator’s crisper bin without a second thought. Another mistake. So many of these eaten-raw edibles taste exponentially better when enjoyed at room temperature. For unknown reasons, cold represses the fragrance and taste (including sweetness), while moderate warmth, anywhere from around 67-77 degrees Fahrenheit, does just the opposite: It releases the aromatic properties, which in turn, affect how we taste things – a room-temperature red grapefruit, especially so! If you can’t buy just what you’ll eat in a few days and have to store your Florida red grapefruit in the ‘fridge, do so. They’ll stay good for up to two weeks when refrigerated. Just remember to take them out two or three hours before eating them, so they’ll have enough time to warm up naturally to their luscious, delicious best.
Another way to get the most out a Florida red grapefruit is something many cooks employ when using lemons. If you’ll roll them on the countertop for a few seconds before cutting, this releases the juice from the membranes, making the juice not only easier to “get at,” but also prevents those “squirts to the eye” some people complain about when eating red grapefruit!
People who enjoy Florida’s red grapefruit are split on whether or not to eat the entire fruit (minus the peel, of course). Some prefer to cut around the membrane and eat only the “heart” of the red grapefruit flesh. Others eat the juicy red flesh, membrane and all. You won’t get quite all the nutrition and fiber less the membrane, but you won’t miss one iota of the red grapefruit’s exquisitely tasty “meat.” But some would say we’re splitting hairs, now. No matter how much of the Florida red grapefruit you eat, you’re getting a treat – for your body…and your taste buds!
Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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