Learn all about this grapefruit hybrid that is called the Melogold. How does it taste? Is it bitter? At the end we have some suggestions for more citrus to try. Show
I am not stranger to citrus, but I have largerly ignored the grapefruit family. Maybe the bitterness that I associate with grapefruit has kept me away from it. But my wife has been on a grapefruit kick lately, so I decided to give it a try, sort of. I purchased a Melogold last week. Jump to:🥇 What's Melogold?It's not a true grapefruit, it is a combination between a pomelo and a Marsh grapefruit. It was released on the market in 1986. 👅 What Does It Taste Like?It's a good sized piece of fruit. My wife and I each shared a half. The flavor was pretty mild, but extremely juicy. After popping out all the segments, we were still able to squeeze each half to make a small glass of juice. This would make a great choice for juice making whether you are going to drink it directly our use it in a recipe. I don't think I have had a piece of citrus that was this juicy, I have tried my fare share of citrus. 🙋 Is It Bitter?I read online that this was suppose to have no bitterness and heard the same thing in the grocery store from an employee. However I still felt there was some bitterness to it, more so than a standard pomelo, but not nearly as much as a typical grapefruit. ❄️ When in SeasonMelogold are available from about November to March, with the peak of the season being December to February. The one I purchased (at Plum Market in Ann Arbor, MI) was grown in California and distributed by Ripe to You, one of my favorite citrus producers. 📧 Sign Up for EmailsIf you want to know when all the best fruit is in season sign up for our seasonal email list. 🍊 More Citrus to TryHere are some other favorites of citrus that should be on your must try list.
Have you ever tried to peel a grapefruit the way you would an orange? And eat it piece by piece? This may not sound attractive, because we all know that grapefruits are quite bitter, don’t we? Well, the Melogold grapefruit changes all that. This golden fruit is not only easy to peel, but is the sweetest grapefruit you will find, so it really is easy and pleasant to eat on its own. DescriptionThe Melogold grapefruit is a very large fruit (6+ inches /15 CMS) in diameter. As you may imagine from the name, the Melogold is golden yellow in color, although the fruits can retain some green color as they ripen from green to bright yellowy gold skin and yellow flesh. On some fruit, the green can be in spots. The rind of a Melogold grapefruit is thick, in fact much thicker than other grapefruit, and the fruits can weigh around 2 pounds (1 kg) and above. The fruits are not uniformly round. Relatively sweet and seedless grapefruits are popular with consumers, which makes the Melogold a favorite. It is very juicy, with few, or no, seeds. It has the sweet/tart flavor typical of grapefruits, although the taste is actually quite sweet for a grapefruit. It’s All In the NameThe name “Melogold” is a marriage between “mellow” (relating to the mild flavor) and “gold” (describing the golden color of the ripe fruit). The Melogold is a cross between a pomelo (the large ancestor of the grapefruit) and a grapefruit. As such, it is almost like taking a step backward since a grapefruit itself is a cross between a pomelo and a sweet orange. This fruit was developed at the University of California in 1986 specifically for its low acidity, soft flesh and relatively sweet taste. Who Could Ask For More?The MeloGold Grapefruit tree is known to be very productive and excellent crops are harvested throughout winter, because the fruit can also be left to ripen on the trees well into winter. The longer the fruits remain on a grapefruit tree, the sweeter they become. If they are left on too long, however, the crop for the next year may be affected. Golden NutritionLike all grapefruits, the MeloGold variety is an excellent source of vitamin C and A, which help to boost the immune system. They are also quite a good source of potassium, which is important in regulating fluid in the body and for muscles and nerves, and magnesium, which helps to build strong bones and ease muscle cramps. MeloGold grapefruits contain a lot of fiber and most of us know that this is necessary to control constipation. What we don’t always know is that fiber is also an important factor in controlling weight, or lowering the risk of diseases, such as diabetes and heart diseases – and even some cancers. Melogold Grapefruit AvailabilityGrapefruits are essentially winter fruit and the MeloGold can be found through winter until early spring. If you plant one in your garden, you will literally be able to walk into the yard and pick fresh fruit for most of winter. Food and the MelogoldBecause of its taste and juiciness, MeloGold grapefruits are very popular to be eaten fresh. They can also be combined with other ingredients to produce dishes that are worthy of the “gold” in this fruit’s name. Use some of these recipes to add a little mellowness and gold to your taste buds. Grapefruit and mint starter
Candied MeloGold peel
Mocktail
Marmlade
ConclusionThe Melogold Grapefruit tree is the source of the wonderfully golden, sweet, seedless fruit named for its mild taste and rich golden color. The fruit is loved for its juiciness and relatively sweet flavor. It can be used in a variety of ways to enhance both your garden and kitchen. Plant a Melogold Grapefruit tree in your garden and enjoy the crop after a few years of growth, or use ready-bought fruit as an addition to your range of dishes. The Melogold will definitely add value to your home and diet. Want to know more about grapefruit? Visit this link to read our other grapefruit-related blog articles. |