February is National Fennel and Grapefruit Month!
February highlights both fennel and grapefruit as they reach the peak of their harvest season. Let’s explore some popular varieties!
Fennel is a plant in the carrot family that comes from the Mediterranean region known for its anise or black licorice aroma. It contains a bulb and has an earthy, peppery scent. Fennel comes in several varieties including Florence fennel, sweet fennel, wild fennel, and bronze fennel. Florence fennel is the most popular variety that contains a pale, layered bulb and is known for its sweet and crispy taste. Sweet fennel is another popular variety that harvests seeds instead of a bulb. The seeds are milder than Florence, which create the sweet but spicy fennel flavor that is used in biscotti, italian sausage, and some teas. Wild fennel has a strong, bitter flavor and tends to grow along coastal and roadside areas and sometimes pastures. It thrives in Mediterranean-adjacent climates, like areas in California. Wild fennel does not contain a bulb and was traditionally used in rustic cooking and some medicinal practices. Bronze fennel is a popular ornamental variety that while technically edible, is used more for seeds and fronds as opposed to bulbs. It is often used in sauces, salads, seafood dishes, cocktails, and teas, as well as decoration.
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit that balances sweetness and acidity. Grapefruits are categorized based on their color which is telling of their flavor profile. Some popular varieties of grapefruit include white grapefruit, pink grapefruit, and red grapefruit. White grapefruit is the oldest type of grapefruit, with (White) Marsh grapefruit being the most common white variety. It is known for its plentiful juice content, pale flesh, and mild bitterness. Since the juice content is so high, white grapefruits are often used for juicing and provide a less sweet flavor than pink and red. Pink grapefruit falls in between the flavor profiles of White and red, providing balance. The most popular pink variety is Ruby Red, which is sometimes categorized as Red grapefruit. Ruby Red is often the type of grapefruit that first comes to mind when mentioned and is considered to be the variety that popularized the fruit. It was recognized as having a sweeter flavor while still retaining its traditional tangy flavor. It is a seedless variety that was discovered in 1929 on a grapefruit tree in Texas. Red grapefruit comes from selective breeding and genetic mutations and is known for having a sweet, but still slightly tangy taste. Rio Red is a common red grapefruit variety closely resembling Ruby Red. Rio Red is known for its deep red flesh and sweetness. Star Ruby is another common red variety that is often described as tasting even sweeter than Rio Red!
Fennel and grapefruit offer unique flavor profiles and retain a part of history and culture. Fennel brings a distinct taste originally from the Mediterranean region and we can see generations of hybrid grapefruits with varying flavors through their saturated coloring. Whether it's snacking or adding to a dish, we can all appreciate fennel and grapefruit this month!