For a while (actually, for all the years of my life), I’ve been curious how the tradition of eating grapefruit with a spoon vs. peeling it emerged. Is it because they’re so big, and most people wouldn’t eat a whole one, like an orange? Is it because people like to sprinkle sugar on the surface to combat their tartness? Is it something people have just always done it that way because their parents did it…but no one knows why?
Well…I accidentially peeled open a small grapefruit, mistaking it for an un-orange orange until I was part way through the peeling process, and decided to give it a shot. A few observations that support the halve-‘n-spoon method…
- they peel rather hard…at least the one I have. Skins are tough but thin…and cling pretty hard to the fruit
- the sections also come apart hard. I had to eat a group of three sections together since I didn’t feel like fighting with the thing and getting sticky fingers that would lead to a sticky keyboard
- just not as enjoyable to eat as oranges. This one was quite tart. I ended up pouring a plate of sugar to roll each piece in. Much less mess to top a halved grapefruit with sugar and eat it out of a bowl.
And not in favor of the halving method:
- you don’t run the risk of popping your eye–or the eye of a neighbor–with acidic citrus juice when peeling and sectioning a grapefuit. With membranes intact, it’s a pretty safe snack.
In summary…I’ll probably just stick to oranges…peel them. They’re better.
4 replies on “Grapefruit”
That’s why ambrosia (you know, where they cut up oranges, grapefruit, add coconut, etc.) is so delicious and such a labor of love when served! The cook does all the work and those eating just enjoy. Could be classified as a real “servant-type” dish! All that Vitamin C has to be good for you, though.
Now I am starting to worry about you…are you that bored? Perhaps another visit to the big city will help. haha
FYI: there are the chosen few (including myself) that eat salt on our grapefruit…preferably the pink grapefruit. I peel it like an orange, but cut away the skin of each section and only eat the flesh (man, that totally doesn’t sound right!) Anyway, still a large enough portion for a meal!
You know…I had no idea that’s what ambrosia was. Sounds more like a color to me…or a flower… Webster first of all says it’s the food of the Greek and Roman gods.
On a side note, I’ve been devouring some celmentines lately, so that’s been my primary Vitamin C source. Along with some great, lo-sugar Minute Main berry drink.
I actually eat about 90% of my grapefruit via the peeling method. Much easier on the run (great for hikes.) But I stay away from white grapefruit (too tart) and always look for the thicker skins (easier to peel.) Then again, I think of grapefruit as a lunch item or mid day snack, not really as breakfast.