Why is it called a grapefruit ??????

Question

I mean its the size of a cannon ball and it tastes nothing like a grape so what were they thinking when they named it ?????

Answer 1

Because the fruit hangs on the tree in clumps, like grapes.

I'll add that it was not developed here in Barbados, but rather occured naturally here in Barbados, from they believe the cross pollination of the shaddock and sweet orange.

Answer 2

They're called grapefruit because they hang in clusters from the branch of the tree like a bunch of grapes.

Answer 3

Pummelo x sweet orange developed in Barbadoes, named grapefruit because the Pummelo was a HUGE FRUIT and
the orange small in comparison = Grape (small) fruit ?!?

17th and 18th Century developed.

Answer 4

An interesting question. I have no idea.

I did a search and here no doubt you will find some interesting reading.

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=Grapefruit+Name&src=IE-Address

It's latin name is Citrus paradisi - which would suggest the citrus fruit that comes from paradise!

Origin and Distribution

The grapefruit was first described in 1750 by Griffith Hughes who called it the "forbidden fruit" of Barbados. In 1789, Patrick Browne reported it as growing in most parts of Jamaica and he referred to it as "forbidden fruit" or "smaller shaddock".


To read more go here http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/grapefruit.html#Origin%20and%20Distribution

Answer 5

A GRAPEFRUIT IS LIKE A ORANGE BUT ITS MUCH BIGGER AND TASTE A LIL SOUR, ITS MAINLY USED TO MAKE JUICES

Answer 6

'Cause it's better than the French word for it: pamplemouse.
Might be a clue tho'.