Grapefruit (citrus paradise) is a citrus fruit, known for its peely, aldehydic and sulfurous taste. It is a hybrid of pomelo and sweet orange. The fruit was first heard of in Barbados in 1750 under the name “forbidden fruit” until 1789 where it was reported common in Jamaica and later in 1814 it was named “grapefruit.”
A single grapefruit tree can produce as much as 500 to 700 fruits per year. However, over the years the fruit has faced many challenges from citrus greening to hurricanes such as the disastrous hurricanes of 2004 and the most recent hurricane, Irma, has resulted in poor yields, leading to higher production costs. Despite drastic reduction in supply, this does not stop grapefruit being one of the most popular citrus fruits.
Uses of Grapefruit Oil
In beverages the ingredient can be found in gins, tonics and soft drinks, pairing well with rose, rosemary, ginger and cardamom. The flavour is also popular in beers and sodas. Its versatile and sophisticated flavour allows the ingredient to work well in a variety of applications. However, grapefruit can interfere with how some medicines work, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications, causing too much or too little medicine to be released into the body.
Grapefruit oil is also used in household cleansers, detergents and soaps. It is also used in aromatherapy oil where it is said to be able to help reduce stress, improve mood and aid digestion.
