What Is the Difference Between Grapefruit and Pomelo? Learn to Tell These Two Fruits Apart with Ease

Pomelo is a common fruit. In recent years, the varieties of pomelo on the market have gradually increased, such as grapefruit, star ruby grapefruit, and honey pomelo. So, what is the difference between grapefruit and pomelo?

1. What is the difference between grapefruit and pomelo?

1. Different appearance

Grapefruit is small, oblate in shape, and hangs in clusters like grapes. Its peel is yellow and relatively thin, its flesh is pale red and white, it has few or no seeds, and its taste is rather sour. Ordinary pomelo is large, with a round, oblate, or pear shape. Its peel is pale yellow or yellow-green and relatively thick, its flesh is white, pink, or bright red, it can have as many as more than 200 seeds, and its taste is rather sweet.

2. Different place of origin

Grapefruit originated in the West Indies in North America and was introduced into our country around 1940. Ordinary pomelo originated in China and is distributed in southern regions such as Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Sichuan.

3. Different nutritional value

Compared with ordinary pomelo, grapefruit has slightly higher levels of folic acid, vitamin C, and pectin. It is rich in potassium and contains no sodium, making it especially suitable for people with high blood pressure. It also contains a unique grapefruit glycoside, which promotes growth and rapid development of human bones. Ordinary pomelo contains a rare insulin-like component, making it especially suitable for people with diabetes.

2. The growing environment of grapefruit

1. Soil

Grapefruit has no strict soil requirements. It can be planted as long as the soil is not highly acidic or highly saline-alkaline, but loose, deep, and fertile sandy soil is best. It can also be planted in stream beach land with more gravel and in sloping land with heavier clay. A pH between 5.0-6.5 is best.

2. Temperature

Grapefruit is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree with relatively poor cold resistance. The most suitable annual average temperature is above 19°C, and the annual accumulated temperature above 10°C should be above 4000°C, with above 5000°C being best. If the temperature is below 0°C and lasts for several days, grapefruit will suffer cold damage.

3. Water

Grapefruit does not have high requirements for annual rainfall. Generally, annual rainfall of 800-1000 mm is more suitable. In some places, rainfall is below 500 mm, but with sufficient light and heat, grapefruit still grows and fruits well. Of course, if appropriate irrigation is provided, the effect is even better.

4. Light

Grapefruit can tolerate shade and is also not afraid of strong light. The most suitable light intensity is 1000-25000 lux, and it requires annual sunshine hours of more than 1500 hours.

In fact, compared with ordinary pomelo, grapefruit is very easy to distinguish. Grapefruit is especially suitable for people with high blood pressure, and ordinary pomelo is especially suitable for people with diabetes. Of course, both are relatively rich in VC, and eating them is also very beneficial to the health of normal people.