Grapefruit — season, tips, and recipes in New Zealand
Grapefruit is a fruit available in New Zealand 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.
NZ-grown grapefruit comes mainly from Northland and Bay of Plenty. The pink and ruby red varieties are increasingly popular as they're less bitter.
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.