Oranges and grapefruits, in particular, are well-known for having unique flavors. Even though blood oranges have an acidic flavor, they also have a sweet taste. Its flavor is a mix of various tangy flavors and gives an aftertaste too. The bitterness of grapefruit, on the other hand, is well-known in the industry.
Blood Orange vs Grapefruit
The main difference between blood orange and grapefruit is that blood orange, as the name implies, is a variety of orange. On the other hand, grapefruit is a cross between orange and pomelo. Oranges and grapefruits are both considered functional foods because they have properties that can protect against heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The blood orange is a kind of orange that has flesh that is crimson in hue, nearly blood-colored (also known as raspberry orange). The presence of anthocyanins, a class of polyphenol pigments present in many flowers and fruits but not in citrus fruits, is responsible.
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit with a flavor that ranges from bittersweet to sour. People may consume the fruit in its full form, as well as in its juice or pulp form. It was given the name “grapefruit” because it grows in clusters, much like grapes. It has a tangy side and tastes much like grapes.
Comparison Table Between Blood Orange and Grapefruit
| Parameters of Comparison | Blood Orange | Grapefruit |
| Type | It is a type of orange. | It is a cross between pomelo and orange. |
| Protein | 22% more protein than grapefruit. | Less protein in grapefruit as compared to blood oranges. |
| Flavor | Taste of orange, raspberry, and cranberry. | Bitter in taste, like rotten grapes. |
| Inner flesh | Dark blood red inner flesh. | Varies from pale yellow to dark pink. |
| Calories | 12% more calories than grapefruit. | Fewer calories as compared to grapefruit. |
What is Blood Orange?
It is a variety of orange that has red flesh. As the name says, the flesh of this creature has the same color as blood. These vibrant hues are produced by anthocyanin, a pigment prevalent in many flowers but not often seen in citrus fruits. Blood oranges look to be conventional oranges with an orange peel on the exterior, but they are blood oranges.
They do, however, have a sweeter flavor and contain fewer seeds than other varieties of citrus fruit. They are also more difficult to peel than other fruits. On the other hand, the flavor of their product is a blend of orange and raspberry. One orange supplies and includes over 170 distinct phytonutrients, as well as over 60 different flavonoids, all of which are beneficial to the body.
These data demonstrate that oranges have high levels of anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and blood clot inhibitory capabilities, all of which are necessary for the body’s correct functioning and maintenance. Oranges, like other citrus fruits, are abundant in vitamin C and have antioxidant characteristics. The polyphenols found in blood oranges are phytonutrients that have been shown to have extra anti-allergenic and anti-viral benefits in the human body.
What is Grapefruit?
Grapefruit is a big, round citrus fruit that is yellow or orange and has juicy, acidic flesh. Grapefruits are a cross between a delicious orange and a pomelo fruit. They are, on the other hand, both smaller and bigger than pomelos.
Grapefruit contains lycopene, which has been shown to protect against cancer. It was initially cultivated in Barbados, but it is now cultivated across the globe. The inside flesh of the apple may vary in color from yellow to dark pink or orange-brown.
The antioxidant lycopene is particularly noteworthy since it can dramatically lower the chance of developing prostate cancer in the human body. Research is presently being undertaken to see if it has a synergistic protective effect when mixed with green tea. On the inside of the fruit, the sweetness varies depending on the color of the fruit.
All grapefruit types, on the other hand, have a mellow bitter aftertaste. Clementines and mandarins are examples of citrus fruits that may be eaten raw, much like grapefruits and other citrus fruits. It can also be used in salads. Even though grapefruit is not as sweet as oranges, it is often used in dessert recipes.
Main Difference Between Blood Orange and Grapefruit
- The blood oranges have red flesh, whilst grapefruits are huge round yellow/orange citrus fruits with acidic juice, both of which are grown in the United States.
- Blood oranges have more carbohydrates, which break down into more grams of sugar and fiber whereas grapefruit has 10% fewer carbohydrates as compared to blood oranges.
- Blood Oranges earn the top position in the vitamin category because they contain much higher levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9 than any other fruit. On the other hand, fruits like grapefruit, have a far greater proportion of vitamin A.
- While blood oranges have a flavor that is a blend of orange, raspberry, and cranberry, grapefruit has a harsh taste that is not pleasant to consume.
- When it comes to minerals, blood oranges have higher concentrations of iron, calcium, potassium, and copper, whereas grapefruits have higher concentrations of phosphorus.
Conclusion
Grapefruit is a tasteful mix between tangy oranges and pomelo, but a blood orange is a variant of the orange fruit alone. Furthermore, the flavor of blood oranges may be defined as a blend of different citrus fruits, while grapefruit is often considered to be bitter in flavor. So that’s the primary difference between blood oranges and grapefruits: their color.
While they are two quite distinct fruits that belong to the same citrus family and have a similar form (albeit grapefruits are often bigger and fatter than oranges), they are genetically related. Low-calorie content, no fat, cholesterol, or salt are common characteristics of both fruits, and their nutritional profiles are comparable as well.
Approximately 60 percent of the calories in a half grapefruit are found in a whole medium orange, while 40 percent are found in a half grapefruit when compared to whole medium orange.
References
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161751
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf9603700