# White Grapefruits have disappeared. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 17, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088 "2014-01-17T19:19:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/21 "2014-01-19T02:36:52Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Puzzled (perhaps stupidly) Brit here – _white_ grapefruit? I don’t think I’ve ever heard the expression over here. Presumably it means the yellow kind, as opposed to the pink, and red, kinds (?) At all events; the white, or yellow, variety is very easily and plentifully available in the UK. > [@Cayuga](#): > > Well, they’re yellow on the outside. 🙂 > > I guess they might be a very pale yellow on the inside, but if it is a yellow, it’s really very close to white. Of course, I could be remembering wrong; it’s been so long since I’ve seen one. _sniff_ Somehow, I only think about the outside, that being what one sees in the shops. Inside, I’ve always thought the flesh of these particular beasts to be pale-ish yellow. Might something be set up re food parcels – or would the spoilsport guardians of things coming into the US, have a problem with that? ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/22 "2014-01-19T14:23:54Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Somehow, I only think about the outside, that being what one sees in the shops. In my experience, pinks and whites are usually indistinguishable on the outside — both are yellow. Pinks sometimes have a patch of pink blush, but not always. The grocer’s signs are the only way to tell. > [@](#): > > Might something be set up re food parcels Maybe an airlift. Please? ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/23 "2014-01-19T16:03:24Z")
My (Dutch) cholesterol medication does not make a distinction between types of grapefruit - just a general warning not to eat them within a few hours or so (either way) of taking the medication. As I take the pill before I go to sleep, I enjoy any grapefruit I like in the morning and during lunch. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/24 "2014-01-19T16:41:02Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > I guess they might be a very pale yellow on the inside, but if it is a yellow, it’s really very close to white. Of course, I could be remembering wrong; it’s been so long since I’ve seen one. _sniff_ I would call it more lemony in color on the inside. It’s not that far off a lemon’s interior color, maybe a little paler. [Here’s a reasonable side-by-side picture](http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/21_2007/grapefruit.jpg) of white and red grapefruit. ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/25 "2014-01-19T19:49:57Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > In my experience, pinks and whites are usually indistinguishable on the outside — both are yellow. Pinks sometimes have a patch of pink blush, but not always. The grocer’s signs are the only way to tell. > > Maybe an airlift. Please? On the drawing-board: grapefruit mercy missions westward across the Atlantic… > [@pulykamell](#): > > I would call it more lemony in color on the inside. It’s not that far off a lemon’s interior color, maybe a little paler. [Here’s a reasonable side-by-side picture](http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/21_2007/grapefruit.jpg) of white and red grapefruit. Per the picture, your white grapefruit are exactly like what we call yellow ones. (My brother, a knowledgeable foodie, concurs that in the UK, “yellow” is always the adjective used.) We have here, also the pink kind (I think on reflection, that here it’s the same as you say, Cayuga-- and as per picture: on the outside, pink and yellow ones look much alike); and the “ruby” truly red kind: skin of a deep red / orange colour, and flesh deep red. ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/26 "2014-01-19T19:53:45Z")
Just to thoroughly confuse things: in the UK we sometimes find on sale (they’re not met with all that often), ugli fruit – grapefruit / orange / tangerine hybrids. Do you have those in the States – under that name, or another? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/27 "2014-01-19T20:15:37Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Just to thoroughly confuse things: in the UK we sometimes find on sale (they’re not met with all that often), ugli fruit – grapefruit / orange / tangerine hybrids. Do you have those in the States – under that name, or another? Yeah, we have uglis, but they’re not terribly common in my area, although I have occasionally seen them. I’m more familiar with them because they show up fairly regular in American-style crosswords. If you see a clue “Citrus fruit” and it’s four letters, chances are more often than not it’s looking for UGLI, not LIME. There’s also a brand name of clementines called [“Cuties.”](http://www.sunpacific.com/cuties.html) I’ve always wondered if these were doing some wordplay on ugli fruit. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/28 "2014-01-19T20:25:55Z")
In recent years pomelos have become more available in my area at some times of year. Perhaps those would substitute for whatever people miss about white/yellow grapefruit. ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/29 "2014-01-19T21:33:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > There’s also a brand name of clementines called [“Cuties.”](http://www.sunpacific.com/cuties.html) I’ve always wondered if these were doing some wordplay on ugli fruit. Unfortunately, the “Cuties” link wouldn’t work for me. I’ve always been rather taken with / bemused by the name “ugli fruit”. Counter-intuitive marketing, maybe – “What a weird thing to call a fruit ! Let’s try one, see if they are actually that ugly…” > [@susan](#): > > In recent years pomelos have become more available in my area at some times of year. Perhaps those would substitute for whatever people miss about white/yellow grapefruit. I needed to google these. The largest kind of citrus fruit, I learn – tastes like a sweet, mild grapefruit. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/30 "2014-01-20T04:37:51Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Unfortunately, the “Cuties” link wouldn’t work for me. I’ve always been rather taken with / bemused by the name “ugli fruit”. Counter-intuitive marketing, maybe – “What a weird thing to call a fruit ! Let’s try one, see if they are actually that ugly…” A stray quote got into the code. [Here you go.](http://www.sunpacific.com/cuties.html) ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/31 "2014-01-20T11:27:42Z")
Got 'em – thanks ! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/32 "2014-01-20T14:47:05Z")
> [@mtm105](#): > > Then about 10 years ago they stopped cold. No white grapefruits. > > Well, here it is. Pharmecutical companies have enough lobbying power to remove them. Where in that article does it say that drug companies lobbied anyone to remove white grapefruits from sale? All I see is that interaction warnings appeared on drug labels and physicians cautioned patients about a potential problem. Nothing about the Evil Drug Lords condemning us to a life of colored grapefruit. I suspect most of the decline in white grapefruit sales is related to the consumer belief that colored fruits are nicer. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/33 "2014-01-20T15:10:06Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Unfortunately, the “Cuties” link wouldn’t work for me. I’ve always been rather taken with / bemused by the name “ugli fruit”. Counter-intuitive marketing, maybe – “What a weird thing to call a fruit ! Let’s try one, see if they are actually that ugly…” I’ve seen them called uniq fruit, too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/34 "2014-01-20T15:47:41Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > I’ve seen them called uniq fruit, too. Huh. It appears “uniq” is the generic, untrademarked name for ugli fruit. Great. Another four letter citrus fruit for the crosswords. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/35 "2014-01-20T16:34:15Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I suspect most of the decline in white grapefruit sales is related to the consumer belief that colored fruits are nicer. But white peaches are more delicate and expensive. All the white grapefruit people need to do is pretend they are special and exclusive. “This week: White Grapefruits! Limited Time Only!” Personally, I don’t care what color my grapefruit is. I’m sure there is a difference, but I don’t think the difference is significant enough for me to care. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/36 "2014-01-20T16:41:21Z")
I find grapefruit unpleasantly bitter but the red ones grown in south Texas are far less bitter. Almost edible. I don’t understand what’s appealing about the “white” yellow ones. Do they not taste bitter to you folks who miss them? ---
**Author:** ![mtm105](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@mtm105](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtm105)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/37 "2015-12-01T19:13:28Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Where in that article does it say that drug companies lobbied anyone to remove white grapefruits from sale? > > All I see is that interaction warnings appeared on drug labels and physicians cautioned patients about a potential problem. Nothing about the Evil Drug Lords condemning us to a life of colored grapefruit. > > I suspect most of the decline in white grapefruit sales is related to the consumer belief that colored fruits are nicer. Article does not directly hold pharmaceutical lobbyists directly responsible. But, if they have found that cholesterol meds can kill you mixed with White Grapefruit, and then the ENTIRE Industry is shipped to Japan, that’s self-explanatory. It’s not a couple of friviolous items. Were talking about shiploads of them. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088/38 "2015-12-01T19:22:06Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > As long ago as 1978, I asked my grocer to give me a call if he ever got in a stock of white grapefruit. > > A month or two ago, I cut a grapefruit in half, and it was white inside, even though it had a sticker on it that said it was pink. I went back and got a lot more, before the store threw them in the dumpster as unsellable. I thought this was going to end “A month or two ago, they called me when they finally got a shipment of white grapefruit in!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-grapefruits-have-disappeared/679088.md?page=1)