Why did they call them grapefruits, when they tastes nothing like grapes?
by 
horsegal13
ANSWERS: 3
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Its named because of the clusters of the fruit on the tree, which often appear similar to grapes.
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The fruit was first documented in 1750 by Rev. Griffith Hughes describing specimens from Barbados.[2] Currently, the grapefruit is said to be one of the "Seven Wonders of Barbados".[3] It had developed as a hybrid of the pomelo (Citrus maxima) with the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), though it is closer to the former. It was brought to Florida by Odette Philippe in 1823. Further crosses have produced the tangelo (1905), the minneola (1931) and the sweetie (1984). The grapefruit was known as the shaddock or shattuck until the 1800s. Its current name alludes to clusters of the fruit on the tree, which often appear similar to grapes. Wikipedia
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From Etymolonline: "Grapefruit" first recorded 1693 in Hans Sloane's catalogue of Jamaican plants; presumably it originated there from chance hybrids between other cultivated citrus. So called because it grows in clusters.
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