How To Use Pomelo: 9 Ways To Enjoy This Giant Citrus
Have you ever tried a pomelo? This giant citrus fruit is related to many modern citrus varieties, but has its own unique colour, flavour and texture. Learn more about pomelos and how to use them, including pomelo recipe ideas for sweet and savoury dishes using this delicious tropical citrus.
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What is a pomelo?
Pomelo – Citrus maxima – is a giant round or pear-shaped citrus fruit originating in South East Asia. Other names are pummelo, or shaddock. This unique citrus is very large, around 15-30cm in diameter (and feels a bit like carrying a football or basketball if you buy one at the shop).
The skin of a pomelo is usually green to yellow with large pores. When cut it reveals very thick white pith. Removing the pith and membranes reveals beautiful salmon pink to pale yellow flesh.
Pomelos are an important part of the history of citrus fruits. They are the botanical ancestors of modern citrus like grapefruit and bitter oranges. Even lemons have a link to pomelo as well.
What does pomelo taste like?
Pomelo has a mild taste, similar to grapefruit but sweeter and less acidic. The texture is also firmer, and segments can be separated into individual smaller pieces, like pearls of fruit.
Where to find pomelo in season
Living in a Mediterranean climate, pomelo is something we don’t come across often. We recently made the most of fresh pomelo in season while travelling in Indonesia.
Being native to South East Asia, pomelo grows best in tropical and subtropical climates. It’s a common sight in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. It also grows in suitable climates in places like Florida, Southern California,, northern Australia, Mexico and Israel.
The peak season for pomelo is from November./December to February/March.
Depending on where you live, it can be hard to find pomelos even in season. Outside of growing areas, try Asian grocers. If you can’t find pomelos, it is possible to substitute other citrus in its place (such as pink grapefruit).
How to cut a pomelo
When eating pomelo or using it in a recipe, you’ll need to remove all of the thick pith and stringy membranes first.
If your pomelo is pear shaped, cut off the top part until you reach where the pink or yellow flesh starts. Also cut off the pithy bottom. Then, using a sharp knife, score through the skin and pith until you reach the centre flesh. Using your fingers, you should be able to break the pomelo into chunks and remove most of the pith.
Once you have chunks of pomelo, use your fingers or a knife to peel off any remining pith and stringy membranes.
Now that you have your prepared fruit, here are some of our favourite ways to use pomelo, from fresh fruit to sweet and savoury recipes using this unique citrus.
Ways to enjoy fresh pomelo
As it is similar to grapefruit, but milder and sweeter, it makes sense to enjoy pomelo fruit in a similar way.
Fresh pomelo segments
While we were in Indonesia, we enjoyed fresh pomelo segments for breakfast or just as a snack during the warm humid weather. We bought both whole pomelos and cut fruit from the local stores.
Sometimes people eat pomelo sprinkled with salt to enhance the flavour. Sea salt, chili salt or chili and lime are popular.
Pomelo juice in drinks, cocktails and dressings
Pomelo juice is delicious and refreshing. In the Philippines, it is often mixed with pineapple juice. Another combination that works well is pomelo, orange and apple juice.
Try adding pomelo juice to cocktails in place of pink grapefruit, orange or lemon juice. Or use pomelo juice instead of orange or lemon juice in a vinaigrette salad dressing or marinade
Pomelo Recipes
In South East Asia, pomelo is commonly used as an ingredient in salads. With a little imagination, pomelo is also a lovely substitute in a range of recipes where you’d normally use other citrus varieties, espeically grapefruit.
Spicy pomelo salad with chili and cilantro
Create a spicy pomelo salad using pearls of pink pomelo flavoured wuith red onion, green chili, cilantro (coriander) and lime juice. Inspired by Asian salads, including Thai pomelo salad and Indian pomelo chat, this colourful salad is a flavour sensation. It’s ideal as a side dish with other Asian dishes and rice.
Pomelo fruit smoothie bowl
This pomelo fruit smoothie bowl recipe uses pearls of pink pomelo with other tropical fruits and coconut milk to create a delicious breakfast. This smoothie recipe is easily adaptable to use the fruits you have on hand and is naturally sweetened.
Thai pomelo salad
Salads are a common way to enjoy pomelo, and this Thai pomelo salad (yam sam o) recipe is a classic way to enjoy this tasty citrus. It combines pomelo with Thai herbs, crunchy peanuts and a sweet but tart and spicy dressing.
Sweet Pomelo Recipes
The sweetness of pomelo makes it a perfect citrus to use in desserts. In parts of Asia, pomelo is often served with a sweet mango sago dish made with coconut milk.
If you don’t want to waste the skin, you could also make candied pomelo peel in same way as candied orange.
Here are some more ideas on how to use pomelo in sweet dishes and desserts.
Citrus fruit salad
Pomelo is a great choice to add to fruit salad. Our recipe for citrus fruit salad with vanilla cardamom syrup uses a variety of different citrus fruits. Pomelo would be a perfect alternative in place of either the grapefruit, oranges or tangelos.
Pomelo cake
Citrus cakes are popular with good reason, and this pomelo cake is no exception. This buttermilk sponge cake uses the zest of a whole pomelo. This is a great way to use more of this amazing fruit and gives the cake a unique and delicate pomelo flavour. Pomelo cake is perfect for a Lunar New Year dessert.
More citrus recipes and inspiration
If you enjoy exploring different types of citrus and how to use them, be sure to read all about yuzu and our collection of yuzu recipes. For more citrus recipe roundups, you’ll love our collections of orange salads, grapefruit salads and citrus fruit salads.
And our recipe pages has more ideas for cooking with all different types of citrus. You’ll find everything from whole lemon and poppy seed cake and blood orange cookies to homemade lime marmalade.
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