Peeling grapefruit, which is naturally tangy, requires some care when compared to preparing an orange, as leaving the pith, the white substance under the peel, on the grapefruit can make it too bitter. Some of the best tips for peeling grapefruit include rinsing and drying it first to keep the meat clean and using a knife in place of your fingers. It can also be helpful to create a stable base by cutting off either end of the grapefruit to prevent injury. When peeling more than one, briefly boil the fruit whole to reduce the amount of time that you spend preparing it.
When working with any type of fruit that requires peeling, it is important to rinse the outside off just as you would any other fruit or vegetable. Oftentimes, the peel of the grapefruit is coated in pesticides and other chemicals that you likely don’t want to consume, and peeling it without rinsing the outside can cause these substances to contaminate the meat of the fruit. Rinsing the grapefruit under cold water and then drying it so that the fruit is not too slippery will help to keep everything safe and wholesome.
Using a knife instead of your hands is one of the best tips for peeling grapefruit, as it allows you to remove everything in a clean, even motion, getting rid of all of the white coating, or pith, at the same time. When peeling a citrus fruit with your fingers, a lot of the pith can stick to the meat of the fruit no matter what you do. While leaving some on most citrus fruits does not usually significantly alter the taste, pith on a piece of grapefruit can. For this reason, a knife is usually the best and easiest option when peeling grapefruit.
Round foods are notoriously difficult to handle, especially when using a knife. Rather than attempting to practice your coordination skills, try cutting off both ends of the grapefruit before you start peeling it. This will make it possible for you to simply set the fruit on a cutting board and cut the peel off all the way around. Attempting to hold the grapefruit steady with one hand while doing this can make it difficult to remove all of the peel, as well as increase your risk of cutting yourself.
While using a knife and creating a stable base are great tips when peeling grapefruit in small amounts, it can become tedious when you have to prepare more than one piece of fruit. One of the best tips for this is to boil the grapefruit briefly before you remove the peel, as doing so helps to loosen the pith and peel from the meat of the fruit, making it easier to remove everything in one or two large pieces. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil and then add the fruit whole. As soon as you do this, remove the pot from the heat and let everything sit for four to five minutes; once cool enough to handle, the peel and pith should come of quickly and easily.