General properties of fruits

Fruits are the mature ovaries of plants with their seeds. The edible portion of most fruits is the fleshy part of the pericarp or vessel surrounding the seeds.

Fruit includes tomatoes and a few others that are considered as vegetables in the supermarkets. Since the popular definitions of fruit applies only to what is naturally sweet and what is normally used in desserts, it is understandable, for example, tomatoes and olives are treated as vegetables.

Fruits commonly are grouped into several major divisions, depending principally on botanically structure, chemical composition, and climatic requirements. Thus, berries belong to class of fruits that are usually small and quite fragile although cranberries are rather tough. On the other hand, melons class are usually large, often with a tough and sometimes thick, outer skin.

Apricots, cherries, peaches and plums contain single pits and are known as ‘drupes’. ‘Pomes’ contain many pits and are represents by apples, quince and pears.

Fruit are vulnerable to a variety of diseases and infestations and therefore, require spraying with protective chemicals during growing season. Fruit is often picked prior to maturity, and allowed to ripen in the distribution chain, reaching the consumer when ready to eat.

Fruit is considered ripe when it reaches the optimum succulence and texture and there is a desirable balance between sugars and acidity, as well as the subtle elements that contribute to aroma.

Fruits are eaten raw, canned, frozen or dried, and may be cooled in a variety of ways. Fruits products are also popular choices in the form of jams, jellies, preserves, juices and fillings for bakery items.
General properties of fruits

Properties of grapefruit

Grapefruit and its juice have been popular worldwide for their refreshing flavor and beneficial health effects. Grapefruit, common name for the fruit of a variety of citrus. The variety probably originated in Jamaica; it was introduced to Florida in the 16th century by Spaniards.

The grapefruit is an evergreen tree, Citrus paradise, of the Rutaceae family, and its fruit is the largest of the commercially grown citrus fruit.

Grapefruits are borne on small trees that rarely exceed 6 m (20 ft) in height. The dense foliage consists of shiny, dark-green leaves with winged petioles. The large white flowers produce yellow, globe-shaped fruit in grapelike clusters.

The grapefruit is known for its sour to semi-sour flavor, It contains grapefruit mercaptan, a sulphur, which in turn contain sterpene, influencing its flavor.

The fruits vary from 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in diameter and consist of a juicy, acid pulp surrounded by a leathery rind. The color of the pulp is normally light yellow, but a few pink-pulped varieties have been developed.

More than 20 varieties of grapefruit have been propagated in the United States. The major yellow-pulped varieties are Duncan and Marsh; the major pink-pulped varieties are Ruby and Webb.

The grapefruit is readily crossed with other members of the citrus genus. The tangelo, a Florida juice fruit, was produced by fertilization of grapefruit flowers with mandarin orange pollen.

The highest consumption of grapefruit and its juice is in China and the United States, being commonly served at breakfast.

In the United States, grapefruit juice is regularly consumed by about 21% of all households. It has been reported that about half of the total grapefruit production in the United States is mainly processed into juice.
Properties of grapefruit