Introduction
Grapefruit is an evergreen tree of the Rosacea family, reaching a height of 12 meters, with a rounded crown. Fruits are round, large, with a pleasant smell and juicy pulp of yellow or orange-red color. The peel of the fruit is thick, yellowish or reddish, and does not lag behind the pulp. The weight of one grapefruit can reach 500g. You cannot confuse the taste of grapefruit with anything – only it has a slight bitter taste.
The name “grapefruit” is derived from the combination of the English words “grape” and “fruit” due to the fact that its fruits are often collected in clusters that resemble grapes. The Latin name means “paradise citrus”.
Surprisingly, no one still knows what kind of fruit it is. Scientists believe that grapefruit is the result of crossing an orange and a pomelo, but no breeder has yet been able to repeat this natural experiment. Wonder what does grapefruit taste like? Look below.
Description of what does grapefruit taste like
The taste of grapefruit is highly dependent on the concentration of beta-carotene in it. Externally, the amount of this substance can be determined by the color of the peel. It takes on a brighter color at high concentration. This means that there is more sugar in red fruits than in pale yellow ones. Therefore, such fruits turn out to be the reddest.
Among all varieties, these contain the largest amount of lycopene, a substance belonging to the group of antioxidants. But that doesn’t mean brown or green fruits are bad.
Many people wonder why grapefruit is bitter. Is such a substance responsible for what does grapefruit taste like? Like nargine, which belongs to the group of plant flavonoids.
This substance has no less grapefruit benefit effect on the digestion process. Improvement of the patient’s condition occurs due to increased synthesis of gastric juice. Therefore, those who suffer from stomach diseases associated with the secretion of juice are advised to eat the fruit directly with the skin. Nutritionists very often introduce this fruit into the diet of their patients.
In addition to nargine, the films contain quinic acid and glycosides. Arguments indicating that it is better for health to eat grapefruit with thin skin? Enough. The main reasons are:
Under the influence of this substance, glucose metabolism is enhanced. The substance has pronounced antioxidant properties. Under its influence, the elasticity of the vascular wall increases. The concentration of lipids in the blood decreases. Cognitive functions increase.
Scientists were especially interested in the possibility of nargine to influence the rate of absorption of certain drugs. On the one hand, this characteristic is grapefruit benefit, on the other hand, it can also harm the body.
Application and Useful properties
People usually eat grapefruit fresh. You can squeeze out the juice out of its fruits and make jam from it. You can add grapefruit slices to meat and fruit salads, which acquire a spicy taste and aroma. Also, you can make candied fruits from the peel, and extract pectin and essential oils.
The taste of meat, liver or beef tongue is greatly improved when sprinkled with grapefruit juice. This bittersweet fruit goes well with fish and shellfish. Soak salmon or trout fillets in grapefruit juice before cooking, but not more than 30 minutes.
People also use grapefruit for medicinal purposes. Its juice is recommended to stimulate appetite and stimulate digestion. People also use it for non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Grapefruit is also useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases – it is enough to eat one fruit a day, together with bitter membranes (they contain useful pectin). Glycosides and vitamins contained in grapefruit help lower blood pressure (including during menopause, both in women and men) and prevent atherosclerosis.
Grapefruit essential oil, which has a bitter-cold aroma, improves mood, helps to overcome indecision and apathy, to focus, and improves the receptivity of information (which is very useful for students).
Shrimp and avocado salad – Grapefruit recipe
Wonder what does grapefruit taste like with avocado and shrimp? The Grapefruit recipe for an easy-to-prepare and tasty salad:
The salad is ready in 10 minutes! Prepare ingredients.
To prepare the sauce: combine mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcester and Tabasco sauce in a bowl, add salt, pepper and sugar to taste. Mix well with a whisk.
Boil the shrimps, cool and cut into cubes. Cut the cucumber into cubes, peel and dice the avocado, cut the salad leaves into strips. Cut the grapefruit segment into cubes.
Combine all ingredients, add sauce (40 g per serving). Mix well.
When serving, put on a plate, garnish with lettuce leaves.
Shrimp, grapefruit and avocado salad is ready! Bon Appetite!
Shrimp and grapefruit salad recipe
Prepare ingredients to see what does grapefruit taste like with shrimp salad
Peel the shrimp from the shell and head. Dip egg and breadcrumbs in beaten with salt.
Put the shrimps on a baking sheet with parchment and bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle the toast bread with dried garlic and fry on a wire rack in the oven for 5-7 minutes at 150 degrees.
Peel and peel the grapefruit and break it into pieces. For dressing, mix sour cream, mustard and a tablespoon of lemon juice.
Collect the salad before serving in an individual dish: first put the finely chopped salad, then shrimp, garlic croutons and grapefruit pieces. Sprinkle grated cheese on the salad if you like. Bon Appetite!
Conclusion
Grapefruit is a fruit that contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, but it is inferior in popularity to other citrus fruits, the same tangerines and oranges. The reason for this is the bitterness, which makes the taste of grapefruit specific. Therefore, not everyone loves grapefruit.
It is not recommended to take grapefruit together with medicines. The substances it contains can neutralize or enhance the effect of various drugs and thereby cause an overdose effect.
Grapefruit juice increases the acidity of gastric juice, therefore medicine recommends grapefruit for people with low acidity and, at the same time, contraindicates it in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
