Limau besar, also known as pomelo, is a large citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia but grown in other warm climates. It can be eaten fresh or used in salads, desserts, and preserves. The fruit ripens in winter and can be difficult to pick, but high-quality ones have an evenly colored rind with no soft spots or brown marks.
Limau besar is a large citrus fruit that is better known by English speakers as a pomelo, shaddock or pummelo. These citrus fruits are native to Southeast Asia, although they are grown in other warm climates such as those found in Israel and California. Many markets carry Limau Besar when it’s in season, although it can be expensive due to limited production. There are several ways to use this fruit, with many people enjoying it fresh as a source of vitamin C and other essential minerals.
The scientific name of Limaima Besar is Citrus maxima, although Citrus grandis is also correct. As the name suggests, Limaima Besar is the largest citrus fruit; in some regions, these fruits can grow nearly as large as basketballs, although smaller fruits tend to be sweeter. The large, juicy fruit is enclosed in a thick, spongy rind that changes from pale green to yellow when ripe.
The fruit is sweet and can be eaten in segments just like an orange. When a limau besar is fully ripe, the fruit is a rich, beautiful pink, and can be slightly tangy and sweet, depending on growing conditions. Limau besar are quite beautiful when cut in half, with the rich greenish skin, bright white pith, and distinctive pink fruit.
In addition to being eaten fresh, the fruit can also be used in fruit salads, desserts, preserves, and an assortment of other foods, just as cooks use grapefruit, oranges, limes, and other citrus fruits. The zest can also be candied and used in desserts and various ethnic foods. Some people also use the peel in healthy teas, and the dried peels can be added to bath salt blends to add a distinctive smell and condition the skin with their volatile oils.
Like many citrus fruits, limau besar ripens in winter. In the market, look for an evenly colored swatch with no soft spots or brown marks. It can be difficult to pick good fruit, but with a little practice, you can learn the signs of a high-quality pomelo. The fruit stays in the refrigerator for about a week, and you can also peel and wrap the segments for refrigeration. To make peeling easier, try cutting slits in the rind with a knife to begin the process, as it is extremely difficult to peel a limau besar with just your hands.
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