Another Way to Eat a Grapefruit

Eating a grapefruit may seem like a simple thing to do, but for the majority of my life I have done it the hard way (what I now consider the wrong way). Most of the people I have spoken to about this issue have told me they did it the old hard way too.

So what is the old way? Well, I'd cut the grapefruit in half, down the middle. I'd take that half and put it in a bowl. Then, I'd cut each little section of the fruit, making a bunch of triangles (this seemed to take forever). Once done with the cutting, I'd sprinkle sugar on top. Finally I'd eat it with a spoon.

It was a labor intensive process and the grapefruit with the sugar on it just seemed to taste bitter. It was so much hassle for something I didn't really like it. So I didn't eat grapefruit very often.

Then, after I watched lots of cooking shows and saw how chefs cut fruits I decided to try the same method on my grapefruit. And guess what? It worked. The new method was much easier and faster with less waste. Also, the grapefruit tasted better (ie sweeter) without the sugar. And of course, there's less calories because there is no added sugar. It's a win win situation.

Now I eat grapefruit every day. Literally.

So let's get started. You will need:

Grapefruit
Cutting board (or a dinner plate if you don't have a cutting board)
Sharp knife, serrated is best

First of all, pick a good variety of grapefruit. My favorite is Texas grapefruit but then, I'm partial to Texas stuff. Try to pick a grapefruit that has a darker skin. You will find the fruit much sweeter. Also, if you keep your grapefruit in the fridge it will be nice and cool. Really refreshing on a hot day.

You can use a plate if you don't have a cutting board but a cutting board is best--a wooden cutting board that hasn't been used for meat.

When I eat the grapefruit I usually don't even bother with a plate or bowl. I just eat right off the cutting board. It saves on washing dishes.

(And yes, I know you could just peel it like an orange, but then you have some of the white inner peel left. And that is white stuff is bitter.)

Step 1: Ready Your Fruit and Assemble Your Tools

Wash the grapefruit skin well. Use a little soap and rinse well with cold water. Dry it.

Place the grapefruit on the cutting board, laying on its side.

Cut approximately 1 inch off the bottom, straight across.

The goal is to make it flat on the bottom (or top).

Step 2: Cut Off One End

After you cut off one end, this is what it should look like.

Step 3: Flip It Around

Now cut off the other end.

Step 4: Set Grapefruit Upright and Cut

Turn the grapefruit over and place it one flat end.

Cut by running your knife down the side. Don't worry about leaving any of the meat of the fruit on the skin.

Step 5: Continue to Cut

Turn the grapefruit and cut down the sides. Continue to turn and cut, turn and cut.

Step 6: Finish Peeling

Once you have finished cutting away all the peel, you will be left with just the center portion of the grapefruit. It should be a rounded cylinder shape.

DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR PEELS!

Step 7: Turn the Center and Cut Into Sections

Turn the center portion of the grapefruit on its side and cut in sections.

You will get approximately 3-4 rings or sections, depending how thick you cut them.

Step 8: Cut the Sections

Cut the sections into bite size pieces. I usually cut them into 3 or 4 pieces.

Step 9: Eat the Fruit in the Peel

Eat the fruit in the peel as well as the juicy center section.

Don't waste any of this delicious stuff!

Step 10: Enjoy!

And lastly, enjoy the fruits of your labor...(sorry, I just had to say it.)

ps. Don't just throw your peels in the trash. Compost them.