iSpy Food

Perhaps after you read the following article about the rising popularity
for the grapefruit you may have a different perspective. Please share your
ideas at the end with a few comments.

One of the healthiest members of the
citrus family, the grapefruit has a wonderful history associated with it. In
comparison to some of the other popular fruits, the history of grapefruits is
relatively new. In fact, there are a few stories associated with this fruit
leading to a little dilemma as to which theory to believe. This fruit of the
citrus family is said to have originated first as a ‘horticulture accident’ in
Jamaica in the year 1700.
Also known as ’shaddock’ after its originator, a 17th century English ship
commander, who brought seeds of the pummelo from the East Indies and delivered
them to the West Indies in 1693.
The second theory offers a tale of
deliberate hybridization, suggesting that the grapefruit is cross between an
orange and the pummelo. This theory, however, has no records in its support.
Whatever the case, the grapefruit can be considered as the offspring of pummelo
(native to Malaysia and Indonesia),
surprisingly about the size of an orange! This is an interesting observation
indeed and clearly testifies for the theory of it being considered as a hybrid
of the two citrus fruits.
Grapefruits did not fare well initially to
register popularity with the people. It was known as the ‘forbidden fruit’ in Barbados in the mid 18th
century. The name also migrated to Jamaica, where people also referred to it as
the ’smaller shaddock’. Its bitter and acidic taste was not really liked by the
Jamaicans. Its popularity began after its appearance in the US in 1823 when
Count Odette Phillipe brought the seeds of grapefruit from the Bahamas to Safety Harbor near
Tampa, Florida. The scenario began to change after 1885, when Florida carried
out its first shipment of grapefruits to New York and Philadelphia. This was
perhaps the first instance when the popularity of this citrus fruit initiated.
Florida developed into a major commercial center with its burgeoning grapefruit
crop of Duncan and Marsh varieties.
Soon the popularity of grapefruits
spread across Texas, Arizona, and California, with grapefruit becoming a
household name by the 1940’s. Fresh and canned grapefruits were not only
consumed within the country but also exported abroad. This inspired Jamaica,
Trinidad, South America and Israel to jump into grapefruit cultivation. With
increasing demand began the development of new varieties. Pink and red
grapefruits became a popular item in the northern states. Another story
describes a Texas citrus grower marveling at the red grapefruit growing on a
tree that was yielding pink grapefruits. That mutation became a new cultivar
named Ruby Red that was the first grapefruit granted a U.S. patent. That Texas
Red became the official state fruit of Texas in 1993.
The grapefruit has
thus traveled a long way in establishing its popularity in the global market. In
spite of posing a bit of botanical mystery as to its origin, this fruit has
found its way into the hearts of people all over the world.

About the Author:

Suzanne Macguire is an Internet marketing professional with years of
experience in the industry and a keen interest in nutritional science and fruit health benefits.

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