What Is a Grapefruit Spoon?
Updated: Mar. 13, 2024
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about an unusual kitchen tool: the grapefruit spoon.
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When you’re looking for a reprieve from a gloomy day, a tart and refreshing grapefruit may be just the ticket. Whether red, pink or white, these citrus fruits are a perfect snack or breakfast accompaniment (especially in the winter when they’re at the peak of their harvest season).
If you like to enjoy grapefruit on the regular, or have been gifted a citrus fruit delivery, it’s time to invest in a grapefruit spoon (or knife) to help you enjoy each segment. Keep reading to learn more about these kitchen gadgets and discover our recommended grapefruit spoons.
What Is a Grapefruit Spoon?
A grapefruit spoon is a special utensil intended to help carve and scoop grapefruit flesh from the rind with ease and precision. Roughly the same size as a standard teaspoon, a grapefruit spoon features a more tapered head lined with sharp, serrated teeth. The sharp edges paired with a pointed tip make them perfectly designed for scooping out individual segments of fresh grapefruit.
The main benefit? A grapefruit spoon is multifunctional—it combines two utensils in one. It eliminates the need to first use a sharp knife to loosen the grapefruit segments.
How to Use a Grapefruit Spoon
If you’re new to using a grapefruit spoon, review these quick steps before digging in and mutilating your tender grapefruit. If you do mutilate your grapefruit, though, no worries. You can use it to give your house a good deep clean.
Step 1: Slice in half
Turn your grapefruit on its side and use a sharp knife to cut your grapefruit in half around the middle. You’re looking for picture-perfect halves that show off the fruit’s many segments.
Step 2: Cut the segments
Using the serrated edge of the grapefruit spoon, slice into the grapefruit, cutting as close to the membranes that divide the grapefruit segments.
Next, position your grapefruit spoon along the edge of the outer rind and push the spoon down, keeping it as close to the rind as possible. Push until the spoon reaches the bottom of the grapefruit.
Step 3: Lift
Using the spoon, scoop the grapefruit segment up with the tip. The grapefruit should lift out easily and cleanly from the rind and membrane. If it’s stuck, use the serrated edge to further loosen areas that are not fully cut through.
Step 4: Repeat
Repeat the above steps for each segment of grapefruit.
Our Favorite Grapefruit Spoons
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- Simple Grapefruit Spoons: This set of four stainless steel grapefruit spoons are durable, dishwasher-safe and, of course, come highly-rated.
- Rainbow Magic Grapefruit Spoons: Add some pizzazz to your morning citrus routine with these colorful grapefruit spoons by JUCOXO.
- Williams Sonoma Grapefruit Tool: Why settle for just a spoon when you can have a grapefruit knife, too? We love the design of this brightly colored grapefruit spoon and knife tool.
What Is a Grapefruit Knife?
A grapefruit knife is a special serrated knife with a curved, rounded tip specifically designed to hug the round curves of a grapefruit. The sharp, serrated edges of the knife are perfect for cutting the flesh of the grapefruit away from the membranes and the curved tip helps cleanly separate the segments from the bottom rind of the fruit.
How to Use a Grapefruit Knife
Using a grapefruit knife properly is key to getting every last juicy bite from your grapefruit. You can use a grapefruit knife to eat pomelos, too!
Step 1: Cut your grapefruit in half
Using a sharp, regular kitchen knife, cut your grapefruit in half along the middle so you have two, equal halves.
Step 2: Cut away the rind
Push your grapefruit knife down along the outer rim of the grapefruit between the flesh and the rind until the curved tip hits the bottom of the fruit. Using a sawing motion, cut around the entire fruit, separating the rind from the flesh using gentle, even pressure as you cut.
Step 3: Divide the segments
Next, use the serrated edge of the knife to cut along each of the membranes. Use a sawing motion as you work from the outside edge toward the center of the grapefruit half. Repeat until you’ve cut along each membrane on both sides and all of the grapefruit segments have been loosened.
Step 4: Scoop
Finally, if you plan to eat the fruit directly from the rind, switch to a small spoon to scoop segments from the grapefruit. Alternatively, you can use the curved tip of the knife to help lift segments from the fruit and scoop them into a bowl or dish for serving. Please don’t use the knife as a spoon to eat the grapefruit, though. Ouch!
Our Favorite Grapefruit Knives
- Better Houseware Grapefruit Knife: The ergonomic, nylon handle on this basic grapefruit knife makes cutting comfortable and easy.
- Stainless Steel Grapefruit Knife: If you want to add a touch of class to your grapefruit repertoire, then look no further than this beautiful and highly-rated grapefruit knife by Rosle.
- Squirtless Grapefruit Knife: This two-sided grapefruit tool has one blade for cleanly separating fruit from the rind and a second blade to easily carve segments from the dividing membranes.
That’s it, folks. Everything you could ever want or need to know about grapefruit spoons and knives! Now that you’re a pro grapefruit carver, put your skills to work with our best grapefruit recipes.
Originally Published: January 11, 2021
