Pomelos or pummelos are round and large green or yellow citrus fruits with sweet flesh inside in bright pink. Due to their flavor and size, they’re often compared to grapefruits. But in reality, grapefruits are a crossbreeding hybrid of oranges and pomelos. The largest of all citrus fruits, a pomelo can range in size from a baby cantaloupe to a basketball. Mostly originating in Malaysia and southeastern Asia, this fruit also grows in warm regions of the western U.S. from fall to spring.
How Do Pomelos Taste?
Pomelos look very strikingly similar to grapefruits when sliced open, with membranous insides and rosy pink fleshes. However, the pith of this fruit is much spongier and thicker. Pomelos taste similar to grapefruits as well, but less tangy and a bit sweeter. The acidic or sweetness can vary in taste, but they never taste bitter. They smell clean, fresh, and heavily floral, which also contributes to a touch of floral notes to their flavor. By texture, they are soft, juicy, and pulpy, familiar with most other citrus fruits.
Are Pomelos Healthy?
Like most other citrus fruits, pomelos are packed with nutrients and boast a strong shot of multiple health benefits. A serving of 100gm. peeled fruit contains 38 calories, 0.75gm protein, 0.04gm fat, 9.62gm carbohydrates, 1gm. fiber, and also calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. A whole and peeled pomelo weighs around 610 gm. The fiber in the fruit reduces risks of obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and some cancers, while the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to physical wellness by helping in fighting sickness. The high quantity of vitamin C in pomelos maintains the health of skin, cells, blood vessels, and bone, and vitamin A aids in eye and bone health too.
How to Eat Pomelos?
As they are pretty similar to grapefruits, they are generally eaten in the same traditional way. So all you need to do is to slice it in half and scoop out the flesh segment from the inside with a spoon. Also, this is possibly the easiest way to handle a pomelo due to its sheer size! But you can also slice it like an orange and enjoy. But either way, it’ll be a waste to throw out the peels! Pomelo peels are often candied because of their thickness and sweet fragrance. Pomelos are undoubtedly delicious on their own but also go well in Asian and Thai flavors. They also pair great with seafood, coconut, chiles, garlic, and peanuts as a salad.