Tag: Orange vs grapefruit

Genetically, the grapefruit is a hybrid of the sweet orange and the pomelo, making it a direct relative of the orange. Despite this close relationship, these two popular citrus fruits have significant differences in taste, appearance, and nutritional composition. While they share a common ancestor, their distinct characteristics have evolved over centuries.

The grapefruit was born from a surprising genetic accident in the 18th century, a cross between a pomelo and a sweet orange. This makes the sweet orange an ancestor of the grapefruit, and not a variety of it. Despite their shared citrus family lineage, oranges and grapefruits possess unique characteristics that set them apart.