Which Grapefruit Variety Offers the Sweetest Taste — White, Red, or Pink?

The vibrant red hue of the red grapefruit's flesh is due to its abundant lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant that shields the body from chronic illnesses and harmful environmental toxins. Ricardo Dearatanha/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Grapefruit comes in red, pink, and white varieties, each offering a unique flavor profile that ranges from tangy to subtly sweet. No matter the type, grapefruit is celebrated for its perfect blend of tartness and sweetness, along with its numerous health advantages.

Packed with vitamins A and C in every juicy bite, grapefruit not only strengthens the immune system but also has been shown to reduce blood pressure and aid in lowering triglyceride and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, since grapefruits are over 90 percent water, incorporating them into your diet can significantly enhance hydration.

Grapefruit is typically easy to locate. Once primarily available during its growing season from October to June, it can now be found year-round in most U.S. grocery stores. When choosing grapefruit, regardless of the type, opt for the heaviest fruits as they are usually the juiciest. Fully ripe grapefruit, free of green patches and soft spots, will likely offer the best flavor.

Grapefruit has traditionally been a favorite fruit for breakfast, but its versatility extends far beyond the morning meal. No matter the variety, this superfruit has immense potential in various culinary applications.

Red Grapefruit

The red grapefruit is arguably the most popular and widely available variety. Often labeled simply as "red grapefruit," it includes several cultivars, such as Ruby Red and Rio Red, which are known for their exceptional sweetness. While red grapefruit is generally sweeter than pink or white varieties, exceptions can occur. The deep red color of its flesh is due to high levels of lycopene

, an antioxidant that helps combat chronic diseases and environmental toxins.

"Red grapefruit is a fantastic source of vitamin A," notes Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef of The Forked Spoon, where grapefruit is used in a variety of dishes, from cocktails to ceviche.

Beyond its delightful sweetness, red grapefruit usually features a thinner peel compared to other varieties, ensuring a higher yield of soft, seedless fruit inside.

Pink Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit, with its rosy hue, offers a flavor profile akin to red grapefruit but with a unique balance that stands out among citrus fruits, as noted by Randhawa.

"Pink grapefruit strikes the perfect harmony between sweetness and tartness. Their flesh is exceptionally juicy and lacks the sharp sourness found in other varieties. Not only are they delicious, but they are also packed with vitamin C, fiber, and essential antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene," Randhawa explains.

While pink grapefruit — named for its blush-colored flesh — is generally less sweet than red grapefruit, its intricate flavor makes it perfect for eating on its own, enhancing salads, or adding a refreshing twist to water. Like red grapefruit, pink grapefruit is widely available and can typically be found year-round in most U.S. stores.

White Grapefruit

White grapefruit stands apart from its red and pink counterparts with its pale, yellowish flesh. Its thin rind — even thinner than most oranges — transitions from a unique green to a light yellow as it matures, eventually deepening to a darker yellow when fully ripe. Often called "yellow" or "gold" grapefruit due to its ripe skin's hue, it offers a distinct appearance.

White grapefruit's tartness can be mellowed through cooking, making it an excellent choice for desserts and sweet dishes. GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images

Primarily grown for its slightly bitter juice rather than its flesh, white grapefruit is a staple in sodas and cocktails. "White grapefruits are the least sweet of the varieties," Randhawa explains. "Yet, their bold flavor makes them ideal for crafting juices and syrups."

The distinctive bitterness of white grapefruit stems from its high acidity and the dense albedo layer found between the peel and the flesh. When you peel or slice into a white grapefruit, its vibrant, sharp, and tangy aroma becomes immediately noticeable.

Notable Grapefruit Varieties

While grapefruit is typically classified as red, pink, or white, there are numerous cultivars and related fruits that can be challenging to tell apart.

White grapefruit is often confused with the Oroblanco grapefruit. Despite their similar appearance and shared membership in the citrus family, they differ in origin and taste. The Oroblanco and white grapefruit belong to different species. The Oroblanco is a hybrid of the pomelo — a mild, large citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia — and grapefruit.

"Oroblanco, translating to 'white gold' in Spanish, features a thick rind, lemon-yellow skin, and is nearly seedless," Randhawa explains. However, unlike the tart white grapefruit, the Oroblanco's flesh is "juicy, sweet, and lacks any noticeable bitterness."

Similarly, the melogold grapefruit isn't a "true" grapefruit but rather a hybrid of a pomelo and a grapefruit. It features pale, yellowish flesh with a sweet-tart flavor and a greenish exterior.