During my childhood, I have heard about a big citrus fruit Bamblimas. My Dad who earlier worked in Kotagiri, says that they get ample of Bamblimas in season. And also, it was one common term used for a plump & fat kid/person. The fact was that I had never seen this so-called Bamblimas, back in India. But when I saw Pomelos in the local market, during my initial days in Malaysia, I never guessed these were the same Bamblimas. Reading about the fruit, suddenly, gave me a revelation that Pomelo is nothing but the Bamblimas.
Bamblimas has been synonymous with plumpness, and the name does total justification to the anomaly. Well seeing a Pomelo fruit, and when I literally held it in my hands I was intimidated by the size. I have never bought a Pomelo, it always comes as a gift, and initially I always wondered what I could do with it, leave alone I didn't even know how to cut it. With the help of Google, even I mastered the tasks. So it is like when life gives Lemon, no, no, no When life gives you Pomelos make Pomelo, whatever fancies you... The first thing tried out of this was a local dessert -Pomelo, Sago & Mango Dessert. But the trick is to eat it as soon as you add the Pomelo Pulp into the dessert. It doesn't taste good if left alone for a long time & the same goes when it is added into Salads too. Then there are numerous other recipes like various Pomelo Salads, Marmalade, Jams & Candied Peels & as always Pomelo Juice, easy what?!!!
Pomelo is a large Asian citrus fruit that’s closely related to grapefruit & considered to be the largest of all citrus fruits. It goes by many names - Pompelmoes(there you go it sounds like Bamblimas right?!!!), Shaddock, Pummelos, Jabong. They were given the name 'Shaddock' in the Caribbean after the captain of the East India Company ship introduced Pomelos to the west. Originally, these citrus has its origin in Southeast Asia.
Pomelo is the largest out of all the citrus fruits with a close relation to grapefruit. A lot of the size is the rind and the thick membrane surrounding the fruit itself. Unlike other citrus fruits, the membrane of the Pomelo is extremely bitter. These large citrus fruits are either round or oval and have a rind that ranges in colour from green to yellow with a textured rind. Filled with a creamy white or bright pink. Somewhere between the pulpy core, Pomelos have a thicker pith than most other varieties of citrus fruit. Pomelos can either be filled with seeds, have very few or none at all. I have never come across one with a Seed. The flavour of a Pomelo is very much like the grapefruit, but much milder. Pomelos are sweeter and don’t carry that tangy, bitterness that can be associated with grapefruit.
Pomelo contains several Vitamins, Minerals, and antioxidants. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C. that make it a healthy addition to your diet. Other than the above it also contains a lot of Fibre, Carbohydrates, Protein, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Copper & Potassium. It is a powerful immune-boosting antioxidant that helps prevent cellular damage from harmful compounds called free radicals. Pomelo is also rich in other Vitamins & Minerals, including Potassium, which helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMELO
Rich in Fiber:
Pomelos are rich in insoluble fibre, which helps add bulk to your stool and prevent constipation. Dietary fibre also serves as a food source for the healthy bacteria in your gut. Fruit fibre is believed to improve bone density, long-term weight maintenance, and also helps to improve gut and brain health.
Weight Loss:
Pomelo is a low-calorie food, and it contains Protein & Fiber. Both help to keep you feeling full for a longer time.
Rich in Antioxidants:
Pomelo is rich in Antioxidants like Naringenin & Naringin. This can help prevent and reverse cellular damage caused by free radicals. Which can cause health problems and chronic disease when they build up in your body at high levels. Lycopene present in Pomelos acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Other health benefits include its anti-ageing properties and also facilitates a healthy heart.
Heart Health:
Pomelos promote Heart health by reducing the levels of Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Pomelo may reduce these blood fats by preventing the cholesterol in food from being fully absorbed into the body, thus helping to maintain a healthy heart.
Anti-ageing Properties:
The high anti-oxidant content in Pomelos exerts anti-ageing effects. Vitamin C in Pomelos helps prevent skin damage caused by harmful radicals. It can decrease the formation of AGEs(Advanced Glycation End Products).
The essential oil from the peel of Pomelo is rich in antioxidants and can decrease melanin production in the skin, potentially helping prevent discolouration and sunspots.
Antibacterial & Antifungal:
The essential oils made from Pomelo Peel is believed to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The essential oils are highly concentrated, It should not be ingested. The essential oils should be properly diluted before you apply them to your skin.
Fight Cancer Cells:
The rich anti-oxidant content in Pomelo helps to prevent the spread of cancer to an extent. The fruit contains much smaller amounts of potentially cancer-killing compounds. Naringenin, one of the main anti-oxidant in Pomelo is believed to kill Prostate & Pancreatic Cancer Cells.
HOW TO BUY & STORE A POMELO:
- Can buy fresh Pomelo at a local Asian market.
- Dried Pomelo is available online.
- While buying a Pomelo, look for yellow to pale green fruits that are heavy for their size and feel firm to the touch.
- Avoid soft, dull-coloured fruits that look dried out. Fruits with small blemishes are fine.
- Store the Pomelos in the refrigerator. It can last up to 1 week.
HOW TO CUT A POMELO:
- First, you need to carefully cut the top off a Pomelo with a sharp knife. The outer peel of the Pomelo can be tough.
- Then, starting at the cut end, make vertical slices around the Pomelo. Make around 6 to 8 Cuts.
- Remove the thick rind and peel the membrane from around each segment. You can score the rind which makes it easier to peel.
- Don’t eat the membrane-like part of the Pomelos as you would eat an orange or grapefruit.
- Peel off the membrane and remove the small aril-like pulp. What's good to eat is just the pulp. inside.
HOW TO EAT POMELOS:
- It easy to add Pomelos to your diet.
- Pomelos are great in salsas, salads, marinades, juiced, made into jam or just right out of your hand.
- Can easily add it to fruit salads or into chilled desserts.
- Thai Pomelo Salad (Yam Sam-O) with fresh Pomelos, Shrimp & Coconut is a unique & delicious traditional Thai Salad.
- As easy as it is to convert it into fresh citrusy Juice. Add it along with other citrus fruits or with Pineapple for yet another combination of refreshing drink. Finish the drink with a hint of Mint or Basil for an added aroma.
- Pomelo Juice can be added to your favourite Cocktails or convert them into innovative Mocktails.
- Enjoy them the same way that you would enjoy any of your favourite citrus fruits.
- Can use the peel in marmalades or candy it and use it as a garnish.
- If you have a recipe that calls for grapefruit, oranges, or even pineapples, you can substitute a pomelo instead.
- Dried Pomelos are used for desserts and are eaten as a Candy in Asian Countries. As it contains added sugar, it's much higher in calories compared to fresh Pomelos.
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