What is a pomelo? A grapefruit?

Before I arrived in China, I had no idea what a pomelo (youzi in Mandarin) was. Once I got here, I saw these big fruits (ranging in size from a large grapefruit to the size of a human head) that looked like a green grapefruit in color and texture. When you buy a pomelo at a fruit stand, the vendor will slice through the thick (2 centimeter) outer peel with a knife, usually in quarters so when you get home, it's easy to peel.

Inside, the pomelo looks much like any other citrus fruit, except the the color of the fruit is pale like uncooked pasta and more pale then grapefruit. It is also much drier and less juicy. I like the taste of pomelos although, usually, I can only get through about half of one, because they are so large. Some people think they are bland. The flavor is mild, not sour like a grapefruit nor as sweet as an orange. But it has it's own distinct mild flavor.

And if you don't like the taste of the fruit, you can always stick the peel on your cat's head for a helmet. Look how pleased he is about it...