In France, pamplemousse, or grapefruit (Citrus ×paradisi) is often confused with its cousin and ancestor the pomelo (or pomélo), the Citrus Maxima, the biggest citrus fruit, which can weigh over four kilosand has a much thicker skin and generally sweeter fruit...
Pomelos were brought to Barbados from Asia by a Captain Shaddock in the 1640s where they were known as shaddocks or ‘pomelos’, a word derived from their Dutch name, pompelmoes. The grapefruit was born there as a natural hybrid between the pomelo and orange, and became known as ‘grapefruit’ because of the way they grew, in clusters like bunches of grapes.
Generally it’s much easier to find a pamplemousse than a pomelo in a French supermarket.
Images by Diego, Ivar Leidus