The Finest Grapefruits of Vietnam: A Royal Delicacy.

The pomelo, a citrus fruit beloved across Vietnam, boasts an array of delectable varieties. Among them, the 'Bưởi Năm Roi' and 'Bưởi Da Xanh' reign supreme as the most mouth-watering and fragrant cultivars currently grown in the country. Yet, beyond these two famous types, a myriad of other pomelo cultivars await discovery, each offering its own unique taste experience. Join us on a journey to explore these lesser-known, yet equally delicious, pomelo varieties.

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Pomelos are a popular fruit among Vietnamese families, with pomelo varieties such as Pomelo Five Kings, Green-skinned Pomelo, and many others with distinct flavors being favored.

1Pomelo Five Kings

Pomelo Five Kings is predominantly grown in the Mekong Delta provinces, with Vinh Long being a prime example. The fruit has a broad-based pyramidal shape and weighs approximately 1.5kg each.

When ripe, the fruit has a light yellow color and thin skin. It exudes a strong fragrance. The flesh is light yellow, easily separable, and juicy, offering a unique sweet and slightly sour taste not found in any other pomelo variety.

Despite being a delicious fruit favored by people across Vietnam, Pomelo Five Kings is reasonably priced and affordable.

2Green-skinned Pomelo

Green-skinned Pomelo is predominantly grown in Ben Tre province. True to its name, this pomelo variety has a spherical shape and can weigh up to 2.5kg. Its skin is green when unripe and turns slightly yellow when ripe. The aromatic flesh is pinkish-red, sweet, and not sour.

In recent years, Green-skinned Pomelo has gained popularity due to its consistent quality and long shelf life, resulting in relatively high prices.

3Dien Pomelo

Dien Pomelo is a variety native to Hanoi but is also favored by people in the South and available in supermarket systems. This pomelo variety has beautiful, round fruits weighing around 1kg and is affordable and easily accessible.

When ripe, the skin has a light yellow color. The flesh is thick, juicy, and golden yellow, offering a distinctive sweet and refreshing taste, making Dien Pomelo a specialty in Phu Dien, Tu Liem, Hanoi.

4Doan Hung Pomelo

Similar to Dien Pomelo, Doan Hung Pomelo is a variety from Northern Vietnam and is a specialty of Dong Hung district, Phu Tho province.

Doan Hung Pomelo has a slightly flattened spherical shape, and its skin turns bright yellow when ripe, leading to confusion with Dien Pomelo. The flesh is dry and ivory-colored. When eaten, it offers a sweet taste that lingers from the tip of the tongue to the back of the throat. This pomelo variety leaves an unforgettable impression.

Doan Hung Pomelo has become widely popular across the country and is affordable, easily found in markets and supermarkets, and used for direct consumption or juice extraction.

5Phuc Trach Pomelo

Phuc Trach Pomelo is a specialty of Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province. It has a round shape, and its skin turns light yellow when ripe and is not smooth. Each Phuc Trach Pomelo can weigh up to 2kg.

When cut open, the flesh is light pink to translucent white and easily separable from the stem, unlike other pomelo varieties. It offers a distinctive sweet and refreshing taste.

6Tan Chieu Pomelo

Heading back to the Southern region, if you ever visit Dong Nai, don’t forget to look for Tan Chieu Pomelo, also known as Cam-leaved Sweet Pomelo. It has large and beautiful fruits with a pear shape and a green-yellow color when ripe.

Tan Chieu Pomelo has a mild fragrance similar to ripe guava and a distinctive sweet and sour taste. Being a renowned pomelo variety, it commands a relatively high price and is often exported.

7Luan Van Pomelo

Among the famous pomelo varieties in Vietnam, there is a unique one with red skin, red flesh, a distinctive aroma, and an impressive taste that was once offered to kings and lords. This is the Luan Van Pomelo.

Luan Van Pomelo has an ovoid shape with a convex apex and weighs around 1.2kg when mature. When unripe, it has a characteristic green color like other pomelo varieties.

However, as it ripens, the green gives way to an attractive reddish-pink hue. This red color is believed to bring good luck, so during the festive season, this pomelo variety is often displayed on the five-fruit tray, symbolizing the wish for fortune and prosperity for the new year.

Luan Van Pomelo is neither cheap nor easily accessible. A single fruit can cost anywhere from 100,000 VND to a peak of 1,000,000 VND.

Pomelos are a familiar fruit to Vietnamese people, and depending on individual preferences and needs, you can refer to the information above to choose the right pomelo variety for your family’s taste.

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Frequently asked questions

The grapefruit, a hybrid of the Jamaican sweet orange and the Indonesian pomelo, was first introduced to Vietnam in the late 19th century by the French. Over time, the grapefruit became a beloved fruit among the Vietnamese, especially the pink-fleshed variety known as ‘Hong Kong Pink’ or ‘Red Blush’. This variety is considered a royal delicacy due to its association with the Vietnamese monarchy and its cultivation in the gardens of the Imperial City of Hue.

Vietnamese grapefruits, especially those from the Mekong Delta region, are renowned for their exceptional taste and quality. The unique climate and soil conditions of the region impart a distinct flavor and aroma to the fruit. The grapefruits are allowed to ripen on the tree, resulting in a natural balance of sweetness and acidity. The variety grown in Vietnam also has thinner skin and less bitter pith, making it more enjoyable to eat.

Vietnamese grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. They are known for their antioxidant properties and are believed to boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. The pink-fleshed variety also contains beta-carotene, which is beneficial for eye health and maintaining healthy skin.

When selecting Vietnamese grapefruits, look for fruits that are heavy for their size with smooth, thin skin. The color of the grapefruit may vary from yellow to pink, depending on the variety. Avoid fruits with soft spots or discoloration. Store the grapefruits at room temperature if you plan to consume them within a few days, or refrigerate them for up to two weeks to extend their shelf life.

Yes, grapefruits are used in a variety of dishes and drinks in Vietnam. One popular dish is ‘Goi Buoi’, a grapefruit salad that combines fresh grapefruit segments with shrimp, pork, or chicken, and is dressed with a tangy vinaigrette. Grapefruits are also used in beverages such as fresh grapefruit juice or a refreshing cocktail called ‘Ruou gung buoi’, which is made with grapefruit juice, vodka, and a touch of honey.
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