Grapefruit — season, tips, and recipes in Australia
Grapefruit is a fruit available in Queensland during June, July, August, September, October, peaking in August, September. This page is a practical guide for home cooks: when to buy grapefruit, how to pick a good one, how to store it, what it goes well with, three original recipes, and detailed nutrition information.
Grown mainly in the Riverina (NSW) and Queensland. Ruby red and pink varieties are sweeter and more popular than white. A winter citrus that's often overlooked.
How to pick a good one
Heavy for its size. Smooth skin with a slight give. Colour varies by variety: pink-fleshed are sweeter than white.
How to store it
Room temperature for a week, fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Goes well with
honey: Grapefruit is one of the most bitter common fruits. Honey's sweetness moderates that bitterness without eliminating it -- the combination is more interesting than just sweet grapefruit juice.
mint: Mint's coolness amplifies citrus acidity. Against grapefruit's bitterness it adds freshness that makes the whole thing feel more refreshing. Works particularly well in drinks and salads.
avocado: Grapefruit's acidity and bitterness cut through avocado fat in the same way lime does, but with more complexity. The combination is understated and excellent.
brown sugar: When caramelised under a grill, brown sugar forms a crust that moderates the grapefruit's bitterness and adds a contrasting crunch. One of the best simple desserts.
Recipes
Grilled Grapefruit with Brown Sugar
Breakfast or dessert. 5 minutes.
Ingredients: 1 grapefruit, 2 tbsp brown sugar, pinch cinnamon
Method: Halve grapefruit. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Grill for 5 minutes until bubbling and caramelised.
Grapefruit & Avocado Salad
Creamy meets citrus.
Ingredients: 1 grapefruit, 1 avocado, handful rocket, 1 tbsp olive oil, pinch flaky salt
Method: Segment grapefruit. Slice avocado. Arrange over rocket. Drizzle with oil and any grapefruit juice. Salt.
Prawn & Grapefruit Cocktail
Retro. Still works.
Ingredients: 200g cooked prawns, 1 grapefruit, 2 tbsp mayo, 1 tsp tomato sauce, dash Tabasco, 1 gem lettuce
Method: Segment grapefruit. Mix mayo, tomato sauce, Tabasco. Arrange lettuce in glasses. Top with prawns and grapefruit. Drizzle sauce.
Nutrition
Half a grapefruit delivers 65% of your daily vitamin C and 28% of your vitamin A (pink/red varieties). Only 52 calories per half. Contains naringenin, a flavonoid studied for metabolic effects. Important: grapefruit interacts with many common medications including statins and blood pressure drugs. Check with your pharmacist.