Main Difference

Both of them, Grapefruit and Pomelo belong to a similar family of citrus. Biologically speaking both of them hails from the similar genus citrus. They even belong to the same kingdom, order, and family. That is why they are often referred as the same, though at the same time they possess notable differences, which keeps them apart. Pomelo is the natural citrus fruit with binomial name Citrus Maxima as it hails from Genus: Citrus and Species: Maxima, whereas Grapefruit is subtropical citrus, which is a hybrid formed as a cross between sweet orange (C. sinesis) and pomelo (C. maxima). Pomelo is a native to South and Southeast Asia, whereas Grapefruit is originated from Barbados.

Comparison Chart

Grapefruit Pomelo Grapefruit is subtropical citrus, which is a hybrid formed as a cross between sweet orange (C. sinesis) and pomelo (C. maxima). Pomelo is the natural citrus fruit with binomial name Citrus Maxima as it hails from Genus: Citrus and Species: Maxima. Origin Grapefruit is originated from Barbados. Pomelo is a native to South and Southeast Asia. Top Producer China Malaysia Health Benefits Few of the most prominent health benefits Grapefruit gives us are: regulating sugar level in diabetic patients, treating fatigue and malaria and providing relief from insomnia. Some of the health benefits Pomelo gives are boosting the immune system, aids in weight loss, and preventing anti-aging symptoms like wrinkles and age spots.

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What is Grapefruit?

Grapefruit is subtropical citrus, which is known for its sour to semi-sweet fruit. It is a hybrid of Barbados origin that was first formed as an accidental cross between sweet orange (C. sinesis) and pomelo (C. maxima). At first, when it was found it was named ‘forbidden fruit’ and was misidentified with pomelo. According to the belief, Grapefruit was first formed as an accident cross between Jamaican sweet orange and Indonesian pomelo in Barbados, another belief tells that Captain Shaddock brought pomelo seeds to Jamaica and bred the first fruit. Grapefruit grows in the grape-like cluster and that is why they are named Grapefruit. China is the top producer of Grapefruit. Grapefruit performs various functions that boost up our body, some of the most prominent health benefits it gives us are: regulating sugar level in diabetic patients, treats fatigue and malaria and provides relief from insomnia.

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Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindales

Family: Rutaceae

Genus: Citrus

Species: × paradise

Binomial name: Citrus × paradisi

What is Pomelo?

Pomelo is the natural (non-hybrid) citrus fruit which hails from Genus: Citrus and Species: Maxima. Pomelo is a native to South and Southeast Asia and has multi-health benefits. Some of the health benefits it gives are boosting the immune system, aids in weight loss, and preventing anti-aging symptoms like wrinkles and age spots. Pomello, pummelo, pommelo, pamplemousse, jabong (Hawaii, shaddick or shaddock) are the other names for Pomelo. Currently, Malaysia is the top pomelo producer in the world. Other countries known for producing this citrus fruit are Sri Lanka, India, USA, and Israel. Pomelo is also known as one of the ancestors of grapefruit, though their taste is quite like a sweet mild grapefruit. Their peels are often used to make marmalades and flowers are used to make perfumes.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindales

Family: Rutaceae

Genus: Citrus

Species: maxima

Binomial name: Citrus maxima

Grapefruit vs. Pomelo

Pomelo is the natural citrus fruit with binomial name Citrus Maxima as it hails from Genus: Citrus and Species: Maxima, whereas Grapefruit is subtropical citrus, which is a hybrid formed as a cross between sweet orange (C. sinesis) and pomelo (C. maxima). Pomelo is a native to South and Southeast Asia, whereas Grapefruit is originated from Barbados. China is the top producer of Grapefruit, while Malaysia is the top pomelo producer. Few of the most prominent health benefits Grapefruit gives us are: regulating sugar level in diabetic patients, treating fatigue and malaria and providing relief from insomnia, whereas some of the health benefits Pomelo gives are boosting the immune system, aids in weight loss, and preventing anti-aging symptoms like wrinkles and age spots. Pomelo peels are often used to make marmalades and flowers are used in perfume making.

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Comparison Video