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THAILAND'S TOP-FIVE IN FRESH FRUIT EXPORTS
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| Photo © The Post Publishing |
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POMELO (Som O)
Citrus grandis Osb. (Rutaceae)
Season: August – November 19, 2005
Nakhon Pathom in Central Thailand, provinces in the lower part of Northern Thailand, Surat Thani and Trang in Southern Thailand are the main areas where pomelo is grown in Thailand. The best is said to come from Nakhon Pathom.
Pomelo, the largest of the citrus fruit family, is the Asian cousin of the grapefruit. Believed to have originated in China, pomelo is native to Southeast Asia.
A thick yellowish-green peel and a layer of white pith form a spongy cushion that protects the delicate segments of fruit contained within. Each individual segment consists of hundreds of tiny translucent juice-filled sacs, similar to the tiny sacs found in the Thai oranges and tangerines.
Seven varieties of pomelo are found throughout Thailand. Taste, ranging from exceptionally sweet to slightly tart, as well as texture varies according to variety.
Four out of the seven varieties grown in Thailand are exported. These are:
- Khao Hom
Round with yellow-green skin and sweet, scented pale yellow flesh
- Thong Dee
Round with dark green skin and sweet, juicy pink flesh
- Khao Nam Peung
Pear-shaped with yellow-green skin and sweet, pale-yellow flesh
- Khao Paen
Round with yellow-green skin and sweet and tart pale yellow flesh
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| Photo © The Post Publishing |
First use a knife to remove the outer peel and pith, then remove the thin tissue that covers each of the segments. The fruit is ready to eat.
Rich in vitamins A and C, calcium and phosphorus, Pomelo is a favorite breakfast fruit. It is also squeezed into a delicious juice, or used in spicy Thai salads to tame the fiery chili flavors. |
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