Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi

Citrus x paradisi forms a beautiful tree, reaching over 6m (20ft) in height. It produces large, white, waxy flowers with a sweet fragrance in spring. Everything about this citrus is large, from the leaves to the fruits, which can exceed 12cm (5in) in diameter. Fruit juice enthusiasts appreciate its juicy and white pulp, which has an aromatic and refreshing flavour. It boasts a perfect balance of aroma, sugar, acidity, and bitterness, characteristic of grapefruit. It perishes below -7°C (19.4°F), but shows enough tolerance towards the soil. It can be cultivated in a large container in a greenhouse during winter, or in open ground in warm regions that are spared from severe frosts.

Citrus x paradisi is a large-sized shrub with dense foliage, belonging to the Rutaceae family. Its habit is naturally rounded. It is probably native to the West Indies, where its parents, C. maxima and C. sinensis (orange tree), hybridised. This beautiful tree reaches up to 10m (33ft) in height and spreads about 5m (16ft) in open ground, if growing conditions are favourable. Its growth will be more limited in a pot. Its young branches are pubescent, and then become glabrous over time. It flowers abundantly in March-April, producing the largest blooms in the Citrus genus. They are white, star-shaped, divinely fragrant, and gathered in clusters. They give way to round fruits, with a diameter ranging from 10 to 18cm (4 to 7in). Their relatively thick and smooth skin is initially green and then turns yellow when ripe. The white-greenish and translucent fruit pulp is slightly sweet, acidic, and bitter. The fruits are harvested from November to February. The large, evergreen, leathery, and aromatic leaves often have a petiole with a small wing.

Grapefruit is consumed fresh, as an appetizer, dessert, or in the form of juice. This fruit has a unique flavour, with a subtle blend of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and fragrance. It is also a beautiful ornamental tree in very mild climates, with its superb deep green and shiny foliage, clusters of large fruits, and naturally balanced habit.

Like all Citrus, Citrus x paradisi contains essential oil glands in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, often visible to the naked eye. Essential oil with antiseptic, tonic, and appetising properties can be extracted through distillation (flowers and leaves) or pressing (peel). The fragrance of the essential oil is described as fruity, tangy, slightly bitter, with floral notes.

Most citrus trees thrive in open ground in Mediterranean coastal regions, where they find the year-round warmth they need. To bear fruit well, they must not lack water or nutrients. It is a self-fertile bush, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting.