1. Grapefruit is a natural pick-me-up for your senses due to its refreshing scent.
2. It wasn’t always a popular fruit. Grapefruit was first bred in the 18th century in Barbados and introduced to Florida in the 1820s as a novelty.
3. In 1962, there was an effort by Florida marketers to change the name of the grapefruit to something more enticing, but the public resisted.
4. Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, potassium, folate and vitamin B5. Because they contain more of the red-pigment antioxidant lycopene, pink and red grapefruit varieties are more nutritious than the white.
5. Humidity contributes to a thinner peel and juicier fruit. Grapefruit from more arid climates have a thicker, rougher peel and lower juice content.
6. For maximum flavor and juiciness, leave the fruit at room temperature for a couple of hours before eating.
7. The name grapefruit is a reference to the way the fruit hangs while growing, in clusters like grapes.
8. In 1962, there was an effort by Florida marketers to change the name of the grapefruit to something more enticing, but the public resisted.
Note: If you’re taking prescription drugs, talk with your health care practitioner about eating grapefruit, which interacts with some pharmaceuticals, making their effects stronger and potentially harmful.
Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop
The Bramble 