Image by exfordy via Flickr For many years botanists believed that the first grapefruit crops had been had been cultivated on the island of Barbados. The reason for this was simple–that was where Europeans first encountered the exotic new fruit. The year was 1750 and a Welsh scholar was documenting the fauna and flora of the islands when he came upon the new fruit. Years later, the grapefruit received its strange name based on that fact that it grew in clusters, like grapes. Shortly thereafter, botanists concluded that the grapefruit could not have originated in Barbados. After all, the grapefruit…
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Continue ReadingIf ever you ever had to name a “wonder fruit” it would be a safe bet to call out the grapefruit. A grapefruit is rich in a whole host of essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, one grapefruit alone delivers most of the vitamin C you need for a day. Vitamin C keeps the colds at bay. Instead of popping pills, pop a grapefruit because you'll be getting so many other benefits. Having a glass of grapefruit juice in the morning can go a long way towards preventing constipation for the rest of the day. Just before bedtime, having a…
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Continue ReadingImage via Wikipedia Farmers have been growing oranges in Texas for more than a century now. The famous fruit arrived in the Lone Star State at the end of the nineteenth century. And although they are not a top orange producer, Texas oranges are some of the most sought after on the market today. Let us take a brief look back at the origins of Texas oranges. The orange is one of the oldest fruits on earth. Most historians believe that it was first grown in ancient China four thousand years ago. Then, during the age of exploration, the orange…
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Continue ReadingHollywood Diet or the Grapefruit Diet played a big role in spurring the demand for grapefruit around the United States. Yes, Texas farmers were already producing this fruit as early as the 1920s and some of them even managed to ship grapefruit out but demand for this fruit was not really that high. In fact, only very few farmers ship grapefruit because it was not that saleable and very few people buy them. How grapefruit became an overnight hit? The emergence of a new variety of grapefruit probably triggered the increase in demand but it was not until the introduction…
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Continue ReadingThe discovery of the Ruby Red grapefruit in 1929 was directly responsible for the growth of the citrus industry in Texas. It also turned America into the world's top producer of the tasty breakfast fruit and inspired countless diet programs. What made the Ruby Red so special? Before it was discovered, the grapefruit was seen as too as sour for mass consumption. The pink and white varieties of the fruit were little more than minor crops in the citrus-producing states. But for some strange reason fruit farmers from Texas took a shine to the exotic island fruit. Even after it…
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Continue ReadingImage via Wikipedia Whether it's party time or time to send a gift, you can choose an edible arrangement that includes red grapefruit. Even if you aren't sure about the tastes of the person to whom you are sending the gift, you can still create an edible arrangement with small pieces of red grapefruit. The only occasion under which this would not be a good idea would be if the intended recipient had health conditions that preclude him or her from consuming any kind of grapefruit. Under those conditions you might still use the red grapefruit as part of your…
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Continue ReadingBefore you begin using any essential oil including grapefruit oil you want to make sure you conduct some research. You should allow yourself to become educated in the benefits of grapefruit oil as well as any drawbacks that might exist. For example, if you live where there is a great deal of sun, you may need to be careful after you apply grapefruit oil to your skin as strong sun can cause an irritation. While grapefruit oil is not likely to cause sensitivity to the skin or anywhere within the body, if you are purchasing products that include grapefruit oil,…
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Continue ReadingWhen it comes to citrus fruits, navel oranges are some of the most in demand variety. What make naval oranges standout among other variety of citrus fruits? This type of citrus fruit is rich is vitamin C, B, A, folic acid and traces of potassium, calcium, copper, iron and manganese that are essential for good health. Medium size naval oranges contain around 130% daily value of vitamin C. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays a vital role in warding off certain types of diseases. Studies show that people who are deficient in Vitamin C often suffer from a…
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Continue ReadingThe history of Texas grapefruit is more like a peach – a little bit on the fuzzy side. The origins of the grapefruit were not well known and in some cases inferences had to be made as to how a particular type of grapefruit was brought to different countries, including the United States. This is because almost all citrus fruits originated in China, except for the grapefruit, which is thought to be a hybrid between an orange and a pummelo. Texas grapefruit came to Texas by the way of seeds. Spanish settlers most likely brought the seeds with them from…
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Continue ReadingA lot of people feel that the best way to eat is to do so seasonally. Dieticians will tell you that certain fruits or vegetables are available during differing months because they are better for the body during those months. For example, in the hot summer months you often find juicier fruits and veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelons are in season that can help hydrate and refresh. In winter a lot of heartier items like greens and squash are in season. So where does Texas grapefruit stand in seasonal produce? Luckily for those who love the bright red flesh…