Citrus maxima

Pomelo, or Chinese grapefruit, is the largest citrus fruit in the Rutaceae family and is the main ancestor of the grapefruit. It originates from mainland Southeast Asia and the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo.

In the Western world, pomelo is often called "shaddock." The name "shaddock" comes from a certain Captain Shaddock, who is believed to have brought pomelo seeds from the Indonesian archipelago and left them in Barbados, thinking that the climate there would be warm enough for the seeds to thrive.

Pomelo trees can reach up to 13 meters in height. Oval evergreen leaves have broadly winged petioles (leaf stalks). The flowers are large and white, followed by very large and almost pear-shaped fruits that are lemon-yellow to green in color and have a sweet taste. The pulp can be pale or pinkish in color.

Like the vast majority of fruits in the citrus family, pomelo is rich in vitamin C. It is a low-calorie fruit that helps maintain body weight and provides the body with necessary dietary fiber and proteins. Pomelo also offers a key range of B vitamins for regulating metabolism and cellular energy.

Dried and sweetened pomelo is rich in vitamins just like its fresh form.

Use it to decorate desserts, adding not only freshness but also a specific aroma.