Pomelo (called bưởi in Vietnamese) is the largest citrus fruit, known for its thick green or yellow rind and sweet-tart, juicy flesh. Unlike grapefruit, which can taste slightly bitter, pomelo is generally milder and sweeter, making it a favorite fruit across Asia. Beyond its refreshing flavor, pomelo is a nutrient-rich fruit with many health benefits.

🌱 Nutritional Value of Pomelo

A 100 g serving of pomelo provides approximately:

  • Calories: 38 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 9.6 g

  • Fiber: 1 g

  • Sugar: 7 g

  • Vitamin C: 61 mg (more than 100% of daily requirement)

  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2, B6: help with energy metabolism

  • Potassium: 216 mg (supports heart function and blood pressure)

  • Magnesium and copper: contribute to metabolism and immunity

  • Antioxidants: flavonoids, naringin, and lycopene (in pink pomelo)

Pomelo is low in calories but rich in vitamin C and hydration, making it an ideal fruit for daily consumption.

🌟 Health Benefits of Pomelo

1. Strengthens the Immune System

High vitamin C content helps fight infections, supports white blood cell function, and speeds up recovery from illness.

2. Promotes Heart Health

Potassium regulates blood pressure, while antioxidants like naringin may help reduce cholesterol, lowering the risk of heart disease.

3. Supports Digestion and Weight Loss

The fiber in pomelo aids digestion, prevents constipation, and helps create a feeling of fullness, useful for weight management.

4. Enhances Skin Beauty

Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, keeping skin smooth, firm, and youthful. Antioxidants also protect against premature aging.

5. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Properties

Flavonoids and other plant compounds in pomelo help combat inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress, reducing cancer risk.

6. Improves Hydration

Pomelo has high water content, making it refreshing and hydrating, especially in hot climates.

🍴 Culinary Uses of Pomelo

  • Fresh fruit: eaten as juicy segments, often as a snack or dessert.

  • Salads: popular in Vietnamese cuisine, such as gỏi bưởi (pomelo salad with shrimp and pork).

  • Juice: pomelo juice is refreshing, naturally sweet, and packed with vitamin C.

  • Desserts: used in sweet soups (chè bưởi), fruit bowls, or yogurt toppings.

  • Savory dishes: pomelo segments add tangy sweetness to grilled seafood or chicken dishes.

🍊 Simple Recipe: Vietnamese Pomelo Salad (Gỏi Bưởi)

Ingredients:

  • 1 pomelo, peeled and separated into segments

  • 200 g shrimp, boiled and peeled

  • 100 g boiled pork, thinly sliced

  • ½ cup roasted peanuts, crushed

  • Fresh herbs: mint, coriander, basil

  • Dressing: 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 chili (chopped)

Instructions:

  1. Gently separate pomelo into bite-sized segments.

  2. Mix shrimp, pork, and herbs with pomelo.

  3. Combine dressing ingredients until sugar dissolves.

  4. Toss salad with dressing.

  5. Garnish with roasted peanuts and serve immediately.

This salad is light, refreshing, and perfectly balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

🌍 Cultural Significance of Pomelo

In many Asian cultures, pomelo is a symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and family unity.

  • During Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, pomelo is a traditional fruit displayed on the festival tray.

  • In Chinese culture, pomelo is offered during Lunar New Year as its name sounds like “to have” (you) in Chinese, symbolizing abundance.

🧠 Fun Facts About Pomelo

  • Pomelo is the ancestor of grapefruit; grapefruits are a hybrid between pomelo and sweet orange.

  • It can weigh up to 2 kg and grow as large as a melon.

  • The thick peel is often used to make candied pomelo or infused in tea.

  • Pomelo trees can live for decades and bear fruit seasonally.

✅ Conclusion

Pomelo is not just a refreshing and delicious fruit but also a natural source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that boost immunity, support heart health, and enhance skin beauty.

From a simple juicy snack to a traditional Vietnamese pomelo salad, this citrus fruit is versatile and meaningful in both cuisine and culture.

👉 Adding pomelo to your daily diet is an excellent way to stay healthy while enjoying one of nature’s sweetest treasures.