Grapefruit grown in Davao? Yup. Here is the scoop on the first crop of Ruby Red Grapefruits grown in Davao by Nenita farms that I spotted and purchased this morning. 
Grapefruits (Citrus paradisi) are related to pomelos or shaddock, therefore they logically should thrive where pomelos do well… Grapefruits thrived in the Caribbean islands and were introduced to Florida in the 1820s. They eventually caught on and became a major crop for the citrus growers in that state. These locally grown grapefruits look terrific… a very nice sheen to an unblemished greenish peel with splotches of pink and shades of yellow. One of the largest fruits in the citrus family, the grapefruit is high in vitamin C and relatively low in calories, great for those on diets. The grapefruit in this photo is part of a still life arrangement of fruits that I arranged for a photo shoot.
Grapefruits have a sour, sweet and bitter taste combination that is quite refreshing. It is best chilled and eaten with a specialized pointy spoon that readily scoops out the flesh or squeezed into juice. Add some sugar if you like. I used to eat grapefruits in Boston with a sprinkle of salt… This Davao specimen was very juicy and a bit tart, I’ve had sweeter. 
But I am thrilled that it is locally grown, another expansion of locally available produce. Grapefruits are hardy and last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. If you find the taste too strong, mix it with a sweet orange or two when making juice. Also, the peel makes terrific marmalade or candied citrus peel. Candied citrus peel dipped in dark chocolate is even yummier. At P120 a kilo in the market, 3 small grapefruits cost P100 or P33 each. Still a bit pricey but it is the first time I have seen Davao grown grapefruits.
