It’s true, they’re better and sweeter if they’re bright orange. I’ve always found that rather than chewing them up whole, the best way to eat them is to slice them into rounds (as with a banana) so you can nibble the peel. But then I have a very small mouth.

My mom would often make a fruit “tea” with kumquat skins stuffed with rock sugar, thin slices of orange (including peel), chopped pineapples, chopped Asian pears, chopped apples, chunks of mandarin oranges, lemon juice and honey. She would put everything into a big jar, refrigerate for a few days, and then spoon some out and mix with boiling water to make a great, sweet drink.

I always get a jar of it whenever I’m caught with a cold or flu, and, although I don’t think it really has any medical benefits, it always makes me feel better!

apparently grapefruits are also known as “the forbidden fruit of Barbados”! Doesn’t that make them sound so much more exciting? Nothing like a little frisson of danger to make fruit more appealing! :)

But I think they are better fresh off the tree, these were a disappointment, rather bitter. Oh well, I knew I was taking a chance on buying them up here.

As for the Pomelo, I’ll have to try one. I love Texas grapefruits! Have not seen the sugar pears locally, but then again, I’ve never been a big pear person.