Grapefruit

The grapefruit (Citrus paradise) is a sub-tropical citrus tree grown for its fruit, which was originally named the 'forbidden fruit' of Barbados. In Spansih it is known as toronja or pomelo. Grapefruit is believed to be a crossing of pomelo, C. maxima, and bitter orange, C. aurantium ssp. amara. The grapefruit usually grows as 5-6 m tall evergreen tree with dark green, long, thin leaves and yellow-skinned largely oblate fruits. It also comes in many varieties, determinable by color, which is caused by the inside, pulp colour of the fruit. The most popular varieties cultivated today are red, white and pink and the family of flavours range from highly acidic and somewhat bitter to sweet and tart. The major producer of grapefruit is the USA with orchards in Florida, Texas, Arizona and California.

Grapefruit peel oil is used in aromatherapy and is historically known for its aromatic scent. The distinctive top note of grapefruit juice is one of the most powerful odorants known. New, milder, pink or red varieties of the grapefruit have become very popular. Recently, the grapefruit 'bitter-green-woody' nuance has become popular in perfumery as a variation of the classical Eau de Cologne theme and it is used for creation of both female and male perfumes. Because the nootkatone which gives the particular grapefruit scent character is very expensive, and also the natural oil might sometimes produce unpleasant skin odour, several substitute compounds of somewhat similar character are used in perfumery.

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