Why does pomelo taste bitter? The latest analysis is here
The pomelo, also known as shaddock, Wandan, Xiangluan, Zhuluan, Neizi and so on, is a tree of the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae. In China it is cultivated throughout the area south of the Yangtze River, with the northernmost limit found in the Xinyang and Nanyang areas of Henan Province, and it is also planted in various Southeast Asian countries. The flesh is relatively high in vitamin C and has the effects of aiding digestion and relieving alcohol poison. Now let us take a look at why pomelo tastes bitter!
Can bitter pomelo be eaten?
Bitter pomelo can be eaten. Generally speaking, pomelo has a sweet or sweet-and-sour taste, but some pomelos are bitter, and many people think that a bitter pomelo cannot be eaten. Experts say that a bitter pomelo does not mean the pomelo has gone bad and cannot be eaten; the bitterness is mainly caused by the bioflavonoid glycosides in the pomelo, so a bitter pomelo can still be eaten. However, for a not-too-bitter pomelo, we can actually still eat it, but if the pomelo is too bitter, then it is best not to eat it, as it not only affects the taste but can also cause some adverse reactions.
Why does pomelo taste bitter?
Both the outer peel and the white pith of the pomelo contain a bitter component called naringin. This component is similar to flavonoids, has a bitter taste and is somewhat volatile, and its content is relatively high mainly in the outer peel of the pomelo. When the outer peel is cut open, if the juice splashes onto the flesh, it will taste bitter. There are also several kinds of pomelo; the Huyou is rather bitter and small, so if you do not like bitterness, you can buy Shatian pomelo. At the same time, a pomelo that is not ripe will also be very bitter.
The nutritional value of pomelo
1. The pomelo is very rich in nutritional value, containing a large amount of nutrients, including the protein and organic acids the body needs, as well as various vitamins and essential trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium.
2. Pomelo contains potassium, the natural trace element essential for people with high blood pressure, and contains almost no sodium, so it is the best food-therapy fruit for patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and kidney disease.
3. Pomelo flesh contains very rich vitamin C as well as components such as insulin-like substances, so it has the effects of lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipids, reducing weight and nourishing the skin. Regular consumption has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis, and it has a body-strengthening and complexion-nourishing function for obese people.
4. Pomelo contains a large amount of vitamin P, which can strengthen the skin's capillaries and can also quickly restore skin tissue, and the calories it contains are very low, so it is very suitable for friends who want to lose weight and improve their skin.
5. The pectin in pomelo can not only lower low-density lipoprotein levels but also reduce the degree of damage to the arterial wall.
6. Pomelo has the effect of strengthening the physique and can help the body more easily absorb calcium and iron. The natural folic acid it contains has the effect, for pregnant women, of preventing the occurrence of anemia symptoms and promoting fetal development.
7. Fresh pomelo flesh contains chromium, a component whose action is similar to insulin, which can lower blood sugar.
8. Pomelo contains a certain amount of naringin. Naringin is an active substance that can not only lower blood viscosity but also reduce the formation of blood clots in the body. Therefore, eating pomelo can not only help wounds heal quickly but also prevent septicemia and cerebral thrombosis, making it especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly people.
9. Pomelo is rich in natural citric acid and various inorganic salts, which not only help the functions of the liver, stomach and lungs but also have the effects of clearing heat, reducing internal heat, relieving cough and reducing phlegm.
10. Pomelo itself is rich in nutrients, and its content of calcium and vitamins far exceeds that of other fruits. Its vitamin C content is 3 times that of lemon and orange, and its calcium content is 10 times more than that of fruits such as apple, pear and banana, which helps prevent the occurrence of intestinal cancer and stomach cancer.