Plant Gardens 101

One of the healthiest members of the citrus family, the grapefruit has a superb record associated with it. In comparison to some of the other prevalent fruits, the account of grapefruits is relatively new. Infact, there are a few stories associated with this fruit chief to a little dilemma as to which system to trust. 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 convey leader, who brought seeds of the pummelo from the East Indies and delivered them to the West Indies in 1693.

The minute premise offers a tale of deliberate hybridization, suggesting that the grapefruit is cross between a carroty and the pummelo. This premise, however, has no minutes in its espousal. Whatever the basis, the grapefruit can be considered as the offspring of pummelo (native to Malaysia and Indonesia), surprisingly about the magnitude of an orange! This is an interesting observation actually and plainly testifies for the concept of it being considered as fusion of the two citrus fruits.

Grapefruits did not fare well initially to convey 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 ‘minor shaddock’. Its bitter and acidic test was not certainly 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 passed out its first batch of grapefruits to New York and Philadelphia. This was perhaps the first command when the popularity of this citrus fruit started. Florida developed into a major commercial midpoint with its burgeoning grapefruit crop of Duncan and Marsh varieties.

Soon the popularity of grapefruits range across Texas, Arizona, and California, with grapefruit befitting 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 shoot into grapefruit cultivation. With increasing demand began the development of new varieties. Pink and red grapefruits became a standard piece in the northern states. Another anecdote describes a Texas citrus farmer marveling at the red grapefruit budding on a ranking that was springy pink grapefruits. That changed became a new cultivar named Ruby Red that was the first grapefruit arranged a U.S. patent. That Texas Red became the certified disorder fruit of Texas in 1993.

The grapefruit has thus traveled a long way in establishing its popularity in the universal sell. In malice of posing a bit of botanical mystery concerning origin, this fruit has found its way into the hearts of people all over the world.

Want to find out about benefits of grapefruit and grapefruit tree? Get tips from the Grapefruit Facts website.

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