How To Supreme Citrus Fruits

Sure, you can cut a citrus fruit in half, slice it into segments, and spoon out the juicy parts. But if you want to elevate the presentation or use the fruit in a salad, you’ll need to supreme it. Supreming is a technique that removes the membrane from citrus fruit so it can be served in slices. This is a little more time-consuming, but the results—no rind, no pith, no mess—are worth it. To supreme a grapefruit, orange, lemon, or lime, follow the steps below.

grapefruitht-017-mld110677.jpg   Credit: Romulo Yanes

Slice the Rind

Start with a very sharp knife. Trim the fruit’s ends; set a flat side on a cutting board.

grapefruitht-023-mld110677.jpg   Credit: Romulo Yanes

Remove the Pith

Slice off the peel and pith in sections, following the shape of the sphere.

grapefruitht-041-mld110677.jpg   Credit: Romulo Yanes

Slice the Segments

Set the fruit on its side. Cut toward the center, along a membrane. Then slice along the adjacent membrane until the cuts meet, releasing the segment. Transfer the segment to a bowl. Repeat.

grapefruitht-063-mld110677.jpg   Credit: Romulo Yanes

Squeeze the Juice

Hold the membranes over the bowl and squeeze to juice.

grapefruitht-017-mld110677.jpg Credit: Romulo Yanes

grapefruitht-017-mld110677.jpg

Credit: Romulo Yanes

grapefruitht-023-mld110677.jpg Credit: Romulo Yanes

grapefruitht-023-mld110677.jpg

grapefruitht-041-mld110677.jpg Credit: Romulo Yanes

grapefruitht-041-mld110677.jpg

grapefruitht-063-mld110677.jpg Credit: Romulo Yanes

grapefruitht-063-mld110677.jpg