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Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Pomelo for Tet: Size Doesn’t Always Matter

18 September, 2024

Bưởi Diễn is a popular choice for many during Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The best Bưởi Diễn has a distinct sweet taste, is juicy, and has a uniquely fragrant peel, making it a favorite among locals. The original Bưởi Diễn trees were planted in Phúc Diễn, Bắc Từ Liêm District, Hanoi, and while the variety has been cultivated in other areas in recent years, none have matched the flavor of the original.

To help you select the finest Bưởi Diễn, here are some tips from long-time growers:

– What size should I look for in a tasty Bưởi Diễn?

Contrary to popular belief, especially with Bưởi Diễn, larger, brightly colored fruits are not necessarily the sweetest or the best. In fact, the longest-standing orchards produce medium-sized to small fruits. These smaller fruits from older trees tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.

So, when choosing Bưởi Diễn, don’t be tempted by large sizes. Instead, opt for fruits that are a comfortable size, roughly the width of three cupped hands, and feel heavy for their size. These will be the juiciest and sweetest.

Larger, brightly colored fruits that feel light for their size tend to be less sweet and may be dry or mealy.

– Observe the shape and color

Bưởi Diễn is characterized by its round, slightly flat shape. When ripe, the peel is a golden orange color, and the fruit feels heavy for its size. The average weight is between 0.8 and 1 kg. When selecting a delicious Bưởi Diễn, look for fruits with a deep golden or reddish-yellow hue; they may not be the most visually appealing, but they are the ripest and sweetest.

The sweeter fruits tend to be those that are sun-kissed, slightly flat, and a deep golden color.

– Inspect the peel and smell

When choosing Bưởi Diễn, select fruits that feel firm and heavy. The best ones have small stems, thin peels, and a sun-kissed appearance. They will be sweeter and more delicious than those with bright yellow peels. Bưởi Diễn has a very distinctive aroma; you should be able to smell its fragrance from a few meters away.

If you plan to eat the Bưởi Diễn right away, choose fruits with wrinkled, wilted peels. The segments will be juicier, and the fragrance more pronounced.

– Examine the segments

Bưởi Diễn has golden, glossy segments that appear juicy and are neither too big nor too small. The pith is thin, the segments are dry to the touch, and the fruit tastes sweet. Bưởi Diễn also has small, firm seeds.

Note that Bưởi Diễn gets juicier with time. The peel shrivels, but the segments remain plump and juicy, and the flavor intensifies. Therefore, it is best to eat Bưởi Diễn 10-15 days after harvesting; freshly picked Bưởi Diễn tends to taste bitter and less sweet.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing the best pomelo for Tet can be tricky, but there are some key things to look out for. First, don’t be too fixated on size as larger pomelos don’t always mean better quality. Instead, look for a pomelo with a thin, smooth, and slightly shiny skin, as this indicates freshness. The fruit should also feel heavy for its size and have a pleasant, citrusy scent. Avoid pomelos with thick, rough skin or those that are excessively shiny, as these are often treated with chemicals.

The skin of a pomelo is a good indicator of its freshness and quality. A thin, smooth, and slightly shiny skin suggests that the pomelo is fresh and has not been sitting on shelves for too long. On the other hand, thick and rough skin can indicate that the pomelo is old, while an excessively shiny appearance may mean that it has been treated with wax or other chemicals to enhance its appearance.

Yes, weight and scent are also important factors when choosing a pomelo. A good-quality pomelo should feel heavy for its size, which indicates that it is juicy and has a high water content. Additionally, the fruit should have a pleasant, citrusy aroma. If the pomelo has no scent or smells unpleasant, it may be a sign that it is not fresh.

To maintain the freshness of pomelos, it is best to store them in a cool, dry place, ideally in a fruit basket or bowl at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them unless they are cut, as pomelos can absorb odors from other foods in the fridge. If you need to store them for an extended period, wrap each pomelo in a paper towel and then place them in a perforated plastic bag to maintain moisture levels.

Yes, you can freeze pomelos if you want to store them for later use. To do this, peel and separate the pomelo segments, removing as much of the white pith as possible. Place the segments in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the segments to an airtight container or freezer bag and return them to the freezer. They should maintain their quality for up to 6 months.