Scientists Seek Mellow Grapefruit Juice

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 12

Scientists Seek Mellow Grapefruit Juice

‘‘The Prets” Special Service AUCKLAND, May 16.

Auckland scientists are trying to produce a local grapefruit juice that is not bitter and does not taste like marmalade.

Mr G. Strachan, of the Fruit Research Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said to members of the Auckland branch of the Institute of Food Science and Technology: “We have managed to get rid of most of the bitterness, but the marmalade taste.

“This might be acceptable in the South Island, say, where they are not familiar with the taste of fresh grapefruit. But in the major market, Auckland, where fresh grapefruit is available for a good part of the year, people are very sensitive to differences in taste.”

Bitterness in grapefruit came mainly from certain chemicals which became bitter when oxidised, Mr Strachan said. The addition of an enzyme to juice could

reduce the bitterness considerably. For some peculiar reason citrus trees grew well in parts of New Zealand in spite of experts’ views about the average temperatures required. New Zealand grapefruit, for instance, probably produced as well to the acre as any other citrus variety in the world.