Sweetie is, as the name suggests, a sweet grapefruit with a lack of the bitterness associated with White Marsh Seedless. Generally, it has approximately 2% higher brix and 0.6% lower acid than Marsh, so is a very attractive option for consumers with a sweeter tooth. The fruit is similar in shape and size to Marsh Seedless but has a distinctively green peel even when internally mature. The peel will develop a yellow colour if left to hang on the tree, but the green colour has been used successfully to distinguish the fruit for consumers.
Jaffa Sweetie is very popular in Japan. The sweetness does not result in higher calories in the fruit, as it is the low acids that result in the taste difference.
Due to the low bitterness of Sweetie, it can be successfully grown in slightly cooler areas than Marsh Seedless.
Good Fruit Guide Rating: ****
Sweetie is a great option for consumers who do not enjoy the bitterness of standard grapefruit.
Sweet, low acid, green peel
Names: Sweetie; Pomlit; Citrus maxima × paradisi; PLU 3092.
Origin: Sweetie is the result of a hybrid cross made in Israel between an acidless pomelo and a Marsh-type grapefruit (very similar to the cross that produced Oroblanco in California). The variety was released in 1984.
Grown in: Israel
Harvest & Availability: Sweetie is harvested slightly earlier than Marsh Seedless. Availability for the European market is as follows:
- January: Israel
- February: Israel
- March:
- April:
- May:
- June:
- July:
- August:
- September:
- October: Israel
- November: Israel
- December: Israel
Websites:
Citrus Pages – Jaffa Sweetie
