Source: as written for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Food Section, November 24, 1999

Description: This giant citrus (Citrus maxima) is also called shaddock, Chinese grapefruit or pummelo. Native to Malaysia, it is the largest citrus fruit, and a relative of the grapefruit. Though still grown in Florida, it has never attained significant status and is generally grown as a curiosity in private gardens or for experimental and breeding purposes at research stations. There is, however, at least one fruit grower in Florida who raises pummelos on a small commercial scale for Chinese New Year festivities. This pale yellow, giant citrus is thick skinned, with a flavor, agreeable but less distinctive than a grapefruit. The fruit ranges from nearly round to pear- shaped and from the size of a small cantaloupe to a basketball. The flesh is white, yellow or pink and the segments shell out easily.

Availability: Pummelo is generally available from November through February.

Nutritional Value: Pummelo is fat, sodium and cholesterol free. It is a good source of Vitamin C and Potassium and low in calories. One cup of pummelo sections, approximately 190g, contains 72 calories, 18 g carbohydrate, 1.9 g dietary fiber, and 7.6 mg calcium. It also yields 410 mg potassium, 115.9 mg vitamin C, 32 mg magnesium and 169 g water.

Selection and Care: Choose fruit that is heavy for its size blemish free and sweetly fragrant. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Avoid product that is extremely soft or lightweight.

Preparation and Use: The pummelo may be used in any way suitable to a grapefruit. It can be peeled and sectioned to use as a breakfast fruit or a snack, or added to fruit salads. It also adds flavor and variety to fish and poultry dishes, green salads or dressings. Pummelo is also used to make jams, jellies, marmalades and syrups.