Pomelo

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

They are often conjugated the pomelo for the king of citrus fruits. The incredibly useful and at the same time juicy and tasty pomelo fruit has been known to people for 4,000 years, when the Chinese were the first to grow pomelo.

For thousands of years, the consumption of pomelo in Asia has become a strict tradition, and today in the Republic of China there is even a state program for the use of the fruit. The numerous the positive effects of pomelo on the human body, and at the same time the "citrus miracle" is distinguished by excellent taste.

What is a pomelo?

By its nature pomelo is an evergreen tree, which gives birth to huge citrus fruits, which are not equal in size among other citrus fruits. The pomelo fruit has a round shape, and its rind is often quite thick. The more mature the fruit, the thinner its skin. The ripe fruit has a pronounced yellow color of the rind, and the unripe pomelo are usually greenish in color. The largest citrus in the world reach significant sizes.

The net weight of the fruit (without the peel) is about 70%. In rare cases, it is possible for the tree to bear fruit up to 10 kg. The diameter of the pomelo is usually between 10 and 30 cm and in most cases reaches 8 kg. Its inside is hollow, divided into pieces, like other citrus, of thick and fleshy skins. In general, pomelo has no seeds, but some of the new varieties are an exception to this rule. The original taste of pomelo is sour and quite bitter, but the new varieties have softer taste characteristics.

For homeland of the pomelo is considered Southeast Asia and more specifically Malaysia. Juicy citrus trees first grow on the islands of Tonga and Fiji. In China, pomelo became known around 100 BC. The pomelo reached the Old Continent thanks to the sailors who brought it to Europe in the 14th century. Captain Sheddock brought pomelo seeds to the Antilles from the Malay Archipelago in the 16th century, and for a time the fruit was named after him.

It is believed that due to its bitterness, pomelo has long been consumed only on the Indonesian peninsula. Ten years ago, European specialists created new varieties that have been yielding for several years. These new varieties of pomelo are not as juicy, but they are much sweeter, with almost no sour taste. This is the reason why pomelo is rapidly gaining popularity, finding a good reception in the Western market.

In Bulgaria pomelo has been imported since 2006, as its popularity grows more and more. Prior to that, this unique fruit could not be easily found in domestic markets or hypermarkets because its imports were limited. Fortunately, however, its sale is now free and affordable, and its price varies from two to three levs per kilogram, and is often sold at a fixed price per unit.

The most useful are the light yellow large fruits, but in Bulgaria immature pomelo is more often imported as a preventive trade trick. The good news, though, is that pomelo is a hardy fruit. If you buy immature pomelo, you can leave it for a few days to a week to soften and enhance its taste and health qualities.

The cultivated varieties have an aroma similar to that of grapefruit, but without the astringent and bitter vein in the taste. This is the reason why pomelo is often called "copper grapefruit". The name pomelo itself comes from the Danish word for grapefruit - pompelmoes.

Now pomelo It is grown mainly in southern China, Thailand, Taiwan, southern Japan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the islands of Tahiti and Israel. Pomelo tree plantations are already available in some European countries, as well as in the US state of California, but they do not produce as large-scale production as Asian plantations.

Types of pomelo

The main varieties pomelo there are five: Khao horn, which have a yellow-green color and a bright, sweet interior; Khao namphung has a pear-shaped, yellow-green skin, and the inside of the fruit is light and sweet; The Khao paen variety has a flattened, oval shape, yellow-green rind, and the inside of this pomelo variety is light and slightly sour; the Khao phuang species has a pear-shaped shape, its bark is again yellow-greenish, and the taste is sour-sweet, the color of the inside being yellowish-white; The Thongdi variety has a spherical shape, dark green rind, and the fruit is pinkish and quite sweet.

Composition of the pomelo

Nutritional properties in 100 g of pomelo: 36 kcal; 0 g of fat; 0.7 g protein; 9.1 g of carbohydrates; 58 mg vitamin C; 1 g of fiber; 205 mg of potassium; 1 mg sodium.

Pomelo is the richest source of vitamin C, from which derive a number of benefits to the human body. In addition, pomelo fruit contains a significant amount of vitamin A, essential oils, antioxidants and trace elements.

Selection and storage of pomelo

Pomelo can now be purchased at almost any fruit or vegetable store or stall. To make sure that the pomelo is fully ripe, choose fruits with a nice yellow rind. Avoid any traces of spoilage - dark spots or wrinkles of the bark in some areas.

Pomelo is a very durable fruit, so if you ever buy a poorly ripe pomelo, feel free to let it ripen for a few days. No need to store it in the refrigerator.

Culinary use of pomelo

In almost all cases, pomelo is consumed as a fresh fruit. You can also include it in some fruit salads and desserts. Use it for fruit juices, which are not only delicious but also very useful.

Grated pomelo peel is added to jams, syrups and jams. If you want to achieve a more exotic taste to your dishes, add the pomelo to a vegetable salad, seafood salad or garnish for fish dishes and other delicious dishes.

Benefits of pomelo

The rich content of essential oils and antioxidants and vitamin C makes pomelo a useful helper in the fight against viral diseases. Pomelo contains a lipolytic enzyme that helps the breakdown and absorption of proteins, which in turn is the reason why this is a perfect food for athletes.

The antibacterial properties of pomelo are very proven. Pomelo juice can be used to treat hypertension as it lowers high blood pressure. The fruit acts prophylactically against cancer. Pomelo is also a good option for diets for weight loss.

Regular consumption of pomelo gives an excellent guarantee of good health. The Chinese believe that they owe much of their vitality, youthfulness and good immune system to pomelo. Pomelo tea is even used as a preventive measure against bird flu.

For the New Year, the Chinese give the fruit as a symbol of prosperity and well-being, and among the working groups in China there is a widespread practice of organizing competitions in fast eating pomelo. According to the Thais, pomelo cures asthma and tuberculosis, fights cancer and makes people happy and happy with themselves and life.

Pomelo actively supports digestion due to the large amounts of fiber in the composition. The pomelo pulp contains as much as 25% of the fiber we need to get for the day. The large amount of fiber softens the stool and helps it to pass more easily through the digestive tract. Excellent fruit for constipation and bowel problems.

Pomelo relieves muscle cramps, thanks to the potassium it contains, which regulates fluid balance and reduces stiffness.

Pomelo also helps beautify, as the antioxidants in it attack harmful free radicals, causing premature aging and various skin problems.

Weight loss with pomelo

Due to the fact that pomelo is low in calories, without excess fat and cholesterol, it is an excellent fruit for all those who want to lose a few extra pounds. It helps for faster absorption and breakdown of proteins, which makes it a faithful helper of active athletes and fitness enthusiasts, as already mentioned in the above lines.