Pomelos

The pomelo looks like a grapefruit but you have to hack off a quite thick pith level and then skin each segment. The pay off is that although they look like large grapefruit segments, they are far less acidic and mild. Just spent 10 minutes rendering one down for SWMBO - she likes it but I'm not always sure they are worth the work. Anyone else a pomelo fan?

[Jenise]

Love them. Easier to peel and eat than a grapefruit. They're plentiful this time of year as they feature in Asian ceremonies, at least that's what I've been told.

I'm a fan of all things citrus and pomelo are right up there in the list. Great flavor. At the end of the day they are more work/mess than grapefruit, so I don't buy quite as many. But all depends what looks the best on any given shopping trip. And, variety is the flavor of life!

We attacked one last evening and SWMBO quite liked it for the reasons I outlined, but I think she has appointed me the first pomelo attack group. After I get the skin off she pitches in and removes the membranes between the sections,although it seems that she requires sustenance to complete that job and the resultant pile of cleaned pomelo seems to be significantly smaller than expected. Glad to hear that there are other pomelo fans here.

[Jenise]

Google Pomelo images. There's actually a type that has pure red skin. Really gorgeous. Never seen one in the real, though.

Actually, this season the oro blancos are better than the pomelos, at least the specimens here. I thought they were similar but then when pomelos started arriving this week (and not tasting as good, drier), I realized the juicy tangy oro blancos had been the star of December!

[Robin Garr]

I've never really been into pomelos for the reasons Bill suggests. Hard to get at, and when you do, they're, um, mild.

A local produce shop gets an amazing white Florida grapefruit for a very short season - basically January - that's so delicious it spoils me for any other grapefruit. Tart but not harsh, and a remarkable scent of white pepper that fills the room the grapefruits are kept in. (And yes, best at cool room temperature so the flavors can bloom.)

[Jenise]

Robin, are those the white grapefruit I rarely see called something-d'Oro? Best tasting grapefruit I've ever had. It's a rare, rare find up here but I start searching for them about now and occasionally see them at the local Kroger outlet.

[Robin Garr]

Robin, are those the white grapefruit I rarely see called something-d'Oro? Best tasting grapefruit I've ever had. It's a rare, rare find up here but I start searching for them about now and occasionally see them at the local Kroger outlet.

Jenise, I'm not sure! I usually get produce at a local mini-chain called Paul's in preference to Kroger, and I don't recall them being marketed as anything but "Florida white grapefruit." They should be in season soon, though, and when they are, I'll look more carefully at the labeling and pass it on.

As I mentioned above, oro blancos often look more similar to pomelos and are actually what I've been enjoying this year so far. But oro blancos are a cross between pomelo and white grapefruit, so it makes sense that they are inbetween!

[Jenise]

Yes, Oro Blancos! That's the name, Rahsaan. Most delicious grapefruits I've ever had. Not common up here though; I've found them at Fred Meyer once or twice over the years (a Kroger), but nowhere else. The average Bellinghamster isn't adventurous about food and things that are unusual don't sell well. There are things I've only ever seen once--like Seville oranges, and a delightful matte green-skinned cross between a mango and an apricot. Unusual produce is something one usually only sees at Trader Joe's, which isn't saying much.

... The average Bellinghamster isn't adventurous about food and things that are unusual don't sell well...

Wow. If oro blancos are considered adventurous, I guess Bellingham is another world! You could always consider mail ordering direct from the citrus states, but of course I'm sure you have plenty of fall orchard fruits still going strong (from storage) in that region. Apples and pears are still tasty enough here.

[Jenise]

Just the other day talking to a 70 year old woman who said, of swiss chard, "I see it at the market all the time but I have never tried it." You'd think she'd been in prison all these years. And that's typical. The Kroger store has more variety of produce than anyone, strangely even more than the Food Co-ops which count a legion of vegetarians and vegans among their clientele. So yes, a grapefruit that costs a little more and has an unfamiliar name? Doesn't stand a chance. In fact white grapefruit don't fare well here--everyone wants pink because it's presumed to be sweeter.

The average Bellinghamster .

Aha - a neologism I can admire! Can't think of an equivalent for Vancouverites!

[Jenise]

And, Hamster for short. They don't call Bellingham "the city of subdued excitement" for nothing!

Pumpkin will often describe himself as Connecticotian but I'm rather fond of Connecticutlet.

Up here I suppose we're Nude Hamsters.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Paul, you win! Took me a sec to 'get it' but then I laughed out loud.

Love 'cutlet' too, Jeff.

Bill, I am not sure if Bellinghamsters actually call themselves. I wouldn't be the first one to think of that, of course, but I've not heard anyone else use it. I'll ask.

Our local grocery is building a huge new store in a Starbucks, car wash, and other stuff complex just across the street from the current store. It is an employee-owned store with great service. I noticed Pomelos for the first time yesterday. They are upping their product lines and bringing in new stuff each day. I saw another unusual fruit I cannot recall the name because I could not pronounce it. Regarding grapefruit, I always buy the red variety, better than the white, and they carry it all year. I eat a lot of fruit, in season because there is always so much choice, and it is easy for me.

[Jenise]

Did you buy one? You should! I did last week because of this thread. Great to sit and hand-peel. The membrane isn't as attached as it is in grapefruit, it's kind of baggy, and comes away easily. A fun snack.

OK so before this thread I had never heard of Oro Blanco. I'm not a big citrus eater , but Betsy goes through a lot especially grapefruit in winter. Neither of us is a big pomelo fan (not enough bite). But yesterday in HMart I saw side by side displays of Oro Gold and Melogold. Grabbed an Oro Blanco. Cashier didn't know code, passing manager gave code but rang up as Melogold. But I THINK I did have Oro Blanco. Betsy loved this AM, and I enjoyed one section. There's an acidic brightness that is missing from pomelo, this is a perfect balance between the sweetness of pomelo and bite of grapefruit. Thanks for pointer.

...Oro Gold and Melogold. Grabbed an Oro Blanco. Cashier didn't know code, passing manager gave code but rang up as Melogold. But I THINK I did have Oro Blanco. Betsy loved this AM, and I enjoyed one section. There's an acidic brightness that is missing from pomelo, this is a perfect balance between the sweetness of pomelo and bite of grapefruit. Thanks for pointer.

The fruit world is crazy with all the names. I understand that Oro Gold and Melogold are both hybrid crosses of grapefruit and pomelo, and any differences are likely to be more about the specific specimen available to you than the broader names. But your perfect balance comment sums it up perfectly!

[Jenise]

There's an acidic brightness that is missing from pomelo, this is a perfect balance between the sweetness of
pomelo and bite of grapefruit. Thanks for pointer.

I would call it the Spatlese of the citrus world!