Winter Grapefruit Season

Years ago, I lived in Phoenix AZ and there was nothing better than walking through neighborhoods that were developed in the ‘60s and streets were lined with orange and grapefruit trees. In the sunset hours of crisp January nights, the fragrance of citrus trees was infectious. The smell of citrus in January will follow you for blocks. Neighbors left out cardboard boxes of their oranges and grapefruits on an honor system that a passerby would leave a dollar or so per fruit.

Years ago, I lived in Phoenix AZ and there was nothing better than walking through neighborhoods that were developed in the ‘60s and streets were lined with orange and grapefruit trees. In the sunset hours of crisp January nights, the fragrance of citrus trees was infectious.   On one hand, seasonal produce are typically cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and Brussel sprouts, or survivor root vegetables like carrots and radishes. In warm, arid climates it’s also the season for bright citrus and avocado fruits to hit market. These bright flavors are often reserved for summer, but January is actually the best time for citrus and avocado. Many low-carb diets shy away from getting enough sugary fruits but citrus is packed with Vitamin C and immune-boosting antioxidants. Vitamin C also helps build collagen, a protein that can’t be absorbed through supplementation but needs to built in the body.

Fresh grapefruit can go in a salad, being eaten alone topped on Greek yogurt, or even roasted to caramelize the fruits natural flavors. Experience Life even suggests saving and drying grapefruit peels as garnish for a salad or beverage.

Recently I discovered Uncle Matt’s Organic Grapefruit Juice. Where I live it’s hard to find fresh-squeezed orange juice so this “one-ingredient juice” has replaced my morning OJ. The Uncle Matts brand has lots of other juice varieties with added vitamin C, Turmeric, and antioxidants, but I only buy this one because it is labeled as simply one ingredient. For an adult beverage, it tastes amazing as a Greyhound (mixed with vodka and garnish with mint or that dried fruit peel if you’re feeling fancy).