Grapefruit Picking / Packing
Nutrition Benefits of Grapefruit and Picking Jobs in Australia Available for Backpackers
Grapefruit is a large, round citrus fruit formerly called as “small shaddock.” Its origin was unsure but it was believed to be a combination of two other fruits; pomelo and sweet orange. Others conclude that grapefruit might have been a mutation of another citrus tree. It has many varieties: Duncan, Marsh, Foster, Thompson and redblush. Some tastes sour, tangy and sweet or combination. It is widely available throughout the year but they are good from winter to spring seasons. Grapefruits are cultivated in most regions of Australia, mostly in Western and Northern Regions.
Duncan Grapefruit is round and large with 9 to 12.5 centimeters wide that has white pulpy flesh. Marsh is a light-yellowish pink grapefruit which is medium in size and mildly aromatic. Redblush is seedless type which has pinkish to reddish colored pulp. Thompson is medium in size with 7 to 9.5 centimeters wide. Its peel is light-yellow in color, smooth texture and has faint smell. Foster is a kind of grapefruit that is very seedy with a faint pink color flesh.
Grapefruit contains many vitamins and minerals. Just like other citrus fruits, Grapefruits is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. According to experts, eating a half of grapefruit a day gives our body 64 percent of vitamin C. It also contains vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, pantothenic acid and copper. Vitamin E is a very important antioxidant that helps treating and preventing vitamin E deficiency like hemolytic anemia and neurologic deficits due to inadequate diet. Folic acids, on the other hand, are very essential for pregnant women to help prevent birth defects on the baby’s organ development like brain and spine. Potassium is good for the muscles.
Grapefruits have many health benefits such it reduces cholesterol, it can prevent kidney stones, protection against colon cancer, weight lose, prevents stroke and other heart ailments, hydration, prevents skin damage and asthma. Grapefuits are rich in antioxidants which help maintain brain functions and keep bones and joints in shape. It is also a natural source of sweetness that can provide about 2 percent of the daily energy needed.
Kununurra, which is located at the northern region part of Australia, is just one of a big horticulture area in the country. Harvesting season starts from May through November, with June to August and October to November as the best time for travelers to visit the place for grapefruit-picking job.
When picking grapefruits on the farm, don’t forget to bring the proper clothes and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from the heat, water for rehydration, gloves and boots plus always put sunscreen for protection against UV rays.
When harvesting grapefruits, make sure that it is already ripe because once picked unripe, the quality of the fruit is not guaranteed. Once harvested, make sure to store it at room temperature and away from sunlight.
You can harvest grapefruits using your hands when picking it off the ground or by using fruit picker tools to either snap the stem or clip the fruit.
