How to Tell If a Grapefruit Is Ripe, and How to Store Grapefruit for Longer
As grapefruit season is fast approaching, learning how to choose the best Texas red at your grocery store can produce some rewarding, sweet segmentz and unbeatable grapefruit juice.
It's good to know how to pick those that are ripe so you can get the best taste out of our low-calorie fruit packed full of health benefits!
At Winter Sweetz, we have a couple of tips to help you pick out these healthy citrus fruits that offer high levels of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and promote a healthy heart and immune system. Let's make sure you pick out the best ones this upcoming season.
3 Steps to Choosing a Ripe Grapefruit: Color, Shape, and Texture
There are three main ways to figure out if your grapefruit will be sweet, juicy and ready to enjoy. Check out our guide to choosing perfectly ripe fruit.
Step 1: Color
First, take a look at the color throughout the fruit. Note that while there are different types of grapefruits that vary in skin and pulp color, an easy way to figure out how ripe your grapefruit is before cutting into it, is to look at the peel color.
Our orchards are only harvested once they have passed a USDA inspection that requires a minimum brix (sugar content). Sometimes, that means that there may still be a little green in the peel. Within a few days, that green will turn from yellow to orange, and you'll begin to see a red blush develop as the grapefruit ripens. No magic tricks are necessary- just leave them on your counter and watch them transform. Long story short, if the fruit has some green patches, it may be perfectly tasty inside; however, the redder the peel, the sweeter the fruit.
Step 2: Shape and Weight
The second thing to look for is shape and weight. Your fruit shouldn’t be perfectly round, Instead, grapefruits should have a slight oval shape with a slightly flat top and bottom. This is an indicator of ripeness. Grapefruit that feels heavy for its size is juicy and ready to enjoy.
Step 3: Texture
The last thing to look for regarding that perfect grapefruit is texture. A ripe grapefruit should feel plump and a bit heavier than it looks. Bumps and pores on the fruit are always apparent, but the skin on a ripe grapefruit is pretty thin and smooth. On the contrary, if you notice some overly soft spots, then it is likely overripe. From white grapefruit to red, most grapefruit should feel firm for the best flavor.
How to Store Fresh Grapefruit for Longer
Your options for storing grapefruit for longer depend on just how long you’re thinking. If you plan on eating your grapefruit within a week, storing them on your counter is a good option, with a focus on airflow around the fruit. However, if it’s going to be a few weeks to month before you get to your tasty fruit, consider storing them in a plastic bag in your crisper drawer. Finally, if it’s going to be longer than a month before you eat your ripe grapefruit, you can freeze your fruit. Carefully prepare grapefruit for freezing by peeling and removing the white pith from the fruit before storing in a plastic bag in your freezer for up to a whole year.
Pick Grapefruit You’ll Love: Pick Winter Sweetz!
Here at Winter Sweetz, our grapefruit season lasts from early fall to late or early spring, depending on how our season went and just how many fruit you grapefruit fans are ordering! You can take full advantage of the upcoming fall season with our Texas red grapefruit.
A fresh, new grapefruit season is coming and with it comes a bevy of fantastic ideas on how to incorporate our delectable Winter Sweetz segmentz into your family meals. Whether you’re cooking up tasty broiled grapefruit halves on a baking sheet or using your grill for the perfect grapefruit barbecue, you’re sure to love our Texas Rio red grapefruit!