Pomelo

  • Arsene Mihut

  • Clasa a 12-a B

  • Colegiul Național “Mircea cel Bătrân”

General details

Also known as Citrus Grandis (or lusho fruit), the Pomelo is a crisp citrus fruit whose homeland is South Asia. Pomelo grows in Tropical climates. It is cultivated in San Diego, California and in some parts of Florida but also in South Asia.

Despite its playful name, Pomelo is the king of the citrus fruits when it comes to size, weight and tastiness. It varies from 1 to 2 kilograms and has an average diameter of 20 centimeters.
When ripe, Pomelo has a pale green color, with white flesh. Although the color may vary, this does not mean that the fruit is not ripe. The rind is thick but at the same time soft and easy to peel.

The etymology of the name is intriguing in many aspects. When it was first introduced in Jamaica, in 1696, it was called “shaddock”, after the captain of the ship who brought it there. It can be said that it stole the name “Pomelo”; mainly because that is the way the grapefruit was named in the past (the 1973 American Heritage Dictionary makes proof of that).
When it comes to taste, Pomelo can be compared to a sweet, mild grapefruit. However, it does not have that same bitterness. The only part of the Pomelo which is bitter is the enveloping material around its segments. Fortunately for us, that part is not edible so we don’t have to worry about it.
Like any respectable fruit, Pomelo comes in two taste varieties. The sweet-kind and the bitter-kind. The sweet-kind has white flesh, while the bitter one has pink flesh. The last one has less chances of being eaten and it is mostly used as altar decoration.

The Pomelo is usually eaten raw or mixed in salads and drinks. Dipped in salt, it becomes a highly appreciated dessert in South East Asia. It is also one of the ingredients of a liqueur called “The Forbidden Fruit”.

SYMBOLISM

Pomelo has a positive symbolism in Asian culture. During Lunar New Eve, this fruit is displayed in people’s houses and it is shared with each member of the family during dinner. Pomelo correlates to happiness, good fortune, abundance and health for the household.
The real question is what really makes this fruit so special. Well, the answer is remarkably simple: its effects on our health. Not only that it can boost our immunity system and bone strength, but it can also lower blood pressure, improve digestion, reduce signs of premature aging, prevent cancer and improve dental health. They have a strong nutritional value and contain a lots of mineral and proteins like vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin B6 and magnesium.

Personal experience

I can not remember clearly my first encounter with Pomelo. But the encounter surely happened at an early age and it can be said that I have grown up with this fruit in my diet. I eat Pomelos regularly and I can not imagine a day without a slice of the “big citrus”. I advise everybody to include fruits in their diets, but be careful, there’s a catch. A fruit must be eaten strictly before any other meal, preferable on an empty stomach. Evidently, I had a great time writing this article, since I discovered so much more information about this wonder-fruit, that I had not previously known about.

Recipe

So, if you want to impress your friends with an easy Pomelo recipe , you can always rely on a simple, but tasty Pomelo Salad .

Ingredients:

  • 1 pomelo, peeled, skinned and pulp removed

  • 3 stalks scallions, chopped

  • 1 holland pepper, diced

  • 1 – 2 shallots, sliced thin

  • 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped

  • 4 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)

  • 4 tbsp fried onions, chopped (optional)

Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp lime juice

  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (can substitute with soy sauce)

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp honey

  • 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar

  • Combine all the above ingredients together, mix well and set aside.

Method:

  • Place pomelo pulp in a bowl.

  • Mix in holland peppers, scallions and shallots.

  • Add the dressing and adjust seasoning to taste.

  • Garish with cilantro, fried onions and peanuts.

  • Serve immediately.

When all of this aspects are summed up, it is clear to us that Pomelo is not only a fruit , but a real weapon against diseases and tasteless food . The way it combines its pleasant taste with its numerous nutriments and vitamins makes the Pomelo worthy of the title “King of the Citrus”.

Bibliography