Ever seen a Jamaican tangelo at a supermarket or a grocery store? Popular as ugli (an intriguing name), Jamaican tangelo is a citrus fruit from the island of Jamaica. A hybrid of pomelo, Seville orange, and tangerine, its unconventional appearance is wrinkled, with tough aromatic rinds and a somewhat unsightly exterior. Yet, despite its unattractive outer, within the fruit, lies a citrusy flesh that is loaded with flavor and nutrition. The article delves into the health benefits, nutrition, and recipe of this super fruit. 
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Faintly bigger than a grapefruit, Jamaican Tangelo may not captivate both the eyes and the palate but owing to its health benefits, it has gained popularity across the world. Tangelo with its unique appearance, is different from its other citrus counterparts. One might wonder, what does the fruit taste like? Well, it is a delightful fusion of sweet and tangy like a blend of orange grapefruit, and tangerine. It is juicy, and its taste is often described as sweet and sour with slight notes of bitterness. Its flesh offers a refreshing burst of citrusy goodness, making it a tantalizing and unique treat for the taste buds
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Origin Of The Enigmatic Jamaican Tangelo Fruit
The lush orchards of Jamaica serve as the primary habitat for tangelo cultivation. The warm climate and fertile soil provide an ideal environment for these citrus wonders to flourish. While primarily grown in Jamaica, these fruits can also be found in selected regions with similar climatic conditions, such as Florida. Contrary to popular belief, the fruit is not pomelo. It is a hybrid resulting from the cross-pollination of a grapefruit, an orange, and a tangerine. This unique blend gives the fruit its distinctive taste and texture. This teardrop-shaped fruit has a thick, rough, greenish-yellow skin that peels off easily. Its flesh is orange and is separated into sections by a white substance called the pith. For those seeking to savour the exotic flavours of Jamaican tangelo, various specialty stores and markets sell this fruit. However, depending on location and seasonality it may or may not be easily available.
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Is Jamaican Tangelo Similar To Other Citrus Fruits?
Jamaican Tangelo and its closest counterparts are almost found in similar origins and have the same appearance, but they are little distinctive citrus varieties with subtle differences. Despite these disparities, these citrus fruits share a common lineage and offer a delightful citrus experience. Additionally, Jamaican Tangelo offers a unique flavour profile that combines elements of oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines, providing a more complex taste experience compared to the straightforward sweetness of an orange. But unlike the smooth, glossy skin of an orange, this one features a rough, bumpy exterior.
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Health Benefits Of This Fruit
Beyond its delectable taste, Jamaican Tangelo boasts an array of health benefits. Beyond its distinctive taste, it is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, it supports immune function, aids digestion, and promotes heart health. Additionally, its antioxidant properties help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to overall well-being. Packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants, it serves as a valuable addition to a balanced diet. Here are some of the notable health benefits associated with this fruit consumption:
Supports Immune System
Jamaican Tangelo is packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system. Vitamin C aids the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections from the body Additionally, vitamin C enhances the function of immune cells, helping the body mount a more effective defense against pathogens. Incorporating the fruit into your diet can provide a significant boost to your immune system, helping you stay healthy and resilient.
Aids Heart Health
Jamaican Tangelo contains potassium, a mineral that is vital for heart health. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and relaxes the walls of blood vessels. By maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, potassium reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. As a part of a heart-healthy lifestyle that can help protect against heart disease and promote overall cardiovascular well-being, fruit can be added to the diet.
Bolsters Digestive Health
Rich in dietary fiber essential for digestive health, Jamaican Tangelo upkeeps the digestive tract and prevents constipation. Additionally, fiber promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and preventing digestive disorders. By including this fruit in your diet, you can support regular bowel movements, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems.
Antioxidant Protection
Jamaican Tangelo has antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. By scavenging free radicals and preventing oxidative stress, antioxidants in Jamaican Tangelo help protect cells from damage and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions. Including this fruit in your diet can provide potent antioxidant protection and support overall health and well-being.
Maintains Hydration
With its high water content, Jamaican Tangelo helps to keep the body hydrated and maintain optimal fluid balance. Adequate hydration is essential for various bodily functions, including regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, and transporting nutrients and waste products. By consuming this fruit, you can replenish lost fluids of your body and prevent dehydration, especially during hot weather or during physical activity. Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health thus incorporating it into your diet can help you meet the body’s fluid needs.
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Keeps Weight In Check
Jamaican Tangelo is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent choice for those looking to manage their weight. The high water and fibre content helps to promote feelings of fullness and satiety, reducing overall calorie intake and preventing overeating. Additionally, its fibre slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes in energy. By eating it you keep your weight loss or maintenance goals in place.
Enhances Skin Health
The vitamin C content in the fruit plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C increases collagen production. This component provides structure and elasticity to the skin. Collagen keeps the skin firm, smooth, and youthful-looking thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. It also protects the skin from damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental stressors. The fruit also nourishes your skin from the inside out, promoting a radiant and youthful complexion.
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In conclusion, Jamaican Tangelo's nutritional benefits and delicious taste continue to enchant and delight fruit enthusiasts. So, the next time you encounter this humble yet extraordinary fruit, reap its abundant holistic incentives. And in case you want to make use of this delicious fruit apart from eating it raw, here are two recipes for you:
Jamaican Tangelo Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 peeled and diced Jamaican Tangelo
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium-sized chopped onion
- 2 minced cloves
- 1-inch piece of grated ginger
- 3 pieces of minced garlic
- 2 finely chopped green chilies
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing
Method
- Heat the oil in a pan, adding mustard and cumin seeds
- Let them splutter for a few seconds
- Add onion and fry until it becomes golden brown
- Add grated ginger, garlic green chilies
- Add turmeric powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and red chilli powder
- Stir well to combine and cook for another minute
- Add diced fruit to the pan and mix well
- Add salt to taste and brown sugar
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes
- Let the fruit soften and release its juices
- Once the mixture has thickened slightly, add lemon juice and remove from heat
- Allow the chutney to cool at room temperature
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves
- serve this delicious chutney
Jamaican Tangelo Fruit Sparkler
Ingredients
- 1 peeled and segmented Jamaican Tangelo pieces
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
- 2 slices of freshly cut Jamaican Tangelo slices
Method
- Combine the peeled and segmented ugli and freshly squeezed orange juice in a blender
- Blend the ingredients until smooth
- Fill a serving glass with ice cubes
- Pour the fruit and orange juice mixture over the ice cubes
- Top up the glass with sparkling water
- Gently stir to combine
- Garnish the mocktail with fresh mint leaves and slices of the fruit
- Serve the ugli fruit sparkler immediately
Nutrition
Boasting several vitamins, especially Vitamin C, Both recipes are full of nutrition that bolsters immunity, aids hydration, and brightens the skin due to potent antioxidant content.
Downsides Of The Fruit
Just like all citrus fruits, when eating Jamaican Tangelo, there are some precautions one must take. Though safe to eat, people on certain medications, including heart and anxiety medications, should avoid overconsumption of citrus fruits as they may contain powerful compounds called furanocoumarins, which may interfere with several medications. Given that Jamaican Tangelo is a cross between a grapefruit and an orange, it may contain furanocoumarins. When it comes to potential drug interactions, you must talk to your healthcare provider before you eat ugli fruit.
References:
- Genotyping by sequencing reveals the interspecific C. maxima / C. reticulata admixture along the genomes of modern citrus varieties of mandarins, tangors, tangelos, oranges, and grapefruits.
Oueslati, Amel; Salhi-Hannachi, Amel; Luro, Mournet, Pierre; Ollitrault, Patrick
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/citrus+tangelo
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ugli-fruit
