| One of the healthiest members of the citrus | | | | its appearance in the US in 1823 when Count |
| family, the grapefruit has a wonderful history | | | | Odette Phillipe brought the seeds of grapefruit |
| associated with it. In comparison to some of the | | | | from the Bahamas to Safety Harbor near |
| other popular fruits, the history of grapefruits is | | | | Tampa, Florida. The scenario began to change |
| relatively new. Infact, there are a few stories | | | | after 1885, when Florida carried out its first |
| associated with this fruit leading to a little dilemma | | | | shipment of grapefruits to New York and |
| as to which theory to believe. This fruit of the | | | | Philadelphia. This was perhaps the first instance |
| citrus family is said to have originated first as a | | | | when the popularity of this citrus fruit initiated. |
| 'horticulture accident' in Jamaica in the year 1700. | | | | Florida developed into a major commercial center |
| Also known as 'shaddock' after its originator, a | | | | with its burgeoning grapefruit crop of Duncan and |
| 17th century English ship commander, who | | | | Marsh varieties. |
| brought seeds of the pummelo from the East | | | | Soon the popularity of grapefruits spread across |
| Indies and delivered them to the West Indies in | | | | Texas, Arizona, and California, with grapefruit |
| 1693. | | | | becoming a household name by the 1940's. Fresh |
| The second theory offers a tale of deliberate | | | | and canned grapefruits were not only consumed |
| hybridization, suggesting that the grapefruit is | | | | within the country but also exported abroad. This |
| cross between an orange and the pummelo. This | | | | inspired Jamaica, Trinidad, South America and |
| theory, however, has no records in its support. | | | | Israel to jump into grapefruit cultivation. With |
| Whatever the case, the grapefruit can be | | | | increasing demand began the development of |
| considered as the offspring of pummelo (native to | | | | new varieties. Pink and red grapefruits became a |
| Malaysia and Indonesia), surprisingly about the size | | | | popular item in the northern states. Another story |
| of an orange! This is an interesting observation | | | | describes a Texas citrus grower marveling at the |
| indeed and clearly testifies for the theory of it | | | | red grapefruit growing on a tree that was yielding |
| being considered as a hybrid of the two citrus | | | | pink grapefruits. That mutation became a new |
| fruits. | | | | cultivar named Ruby Red that was the first |
| Grapefruits did not fare well initially to register | | | | grapefruit granted a U.S. patent. That Texas Red |
| popularity with the people. It was known as the | | | | became the official state fruit of Texas in 1993. |
| 'forbidden fruit' in Barbados in the mid 18th | | | | The grapefruit has thus traveled a long way in |
| century. The name also migrated to Jamaica, | | | | establishing its popularity in the global market. In |
| where people also referred to it as the 'smaller | | | | spite of posing a bit of botanical mystery as to its |
| shaddock'. Its bitter and acidic taste was not really | | | | origin, this fruit has found its way into the hearts |
| liked by the Jamaicans. Its popularity began after | | | | of people all over the world. |