Description
Also called Chinese grapefruit, pumelo, pommelo, and pompelmous. The pummelo is an exotic large citrus fruit that is an ancient ancestor of the common grapefruit. It is the largest of the citrus fruit with a shape that can be fairly round or slightly pointed at one end. They range fron cantaloupe size to as large as a 25 pound watermelon and have very tick soft rind. The skin is green to yellow and slightly bumpy; flesh color ranges from pink to rose. Like grapefruits, they can range from almost seedless to very seedy, from juicy to very dry, from sweet to sour. It is sweeter than a grapefruit and can be eaten fresh, although membranes around the segments should be peeled. Pummelos commonly have 16 to 18 segments, compared to most grapefruit that have about 12 segments. It is grown in many eastern countries including China, Japan, India, Fiji, Malaysia and Thailand. It is also grown in the Caribbean and in the United States, in California and Florida. In season from November through March, Pummelos are especially popular for Chinese New Year.The Chinese believe the delectable Pummelo is a sign of prosperity and good fortune-good things will happen if they eat it.