The Citrus Maxima is a very large, oval-shaped non-hybrid citrus with a yellow or green rind from Southeast Asia. Alternatively, the Citrus Paradisi is a near spherical Caribbean hybrid with a yellow or pinkish rind. Where the Maxima is crunchy, with a mild, sweet and tart flavour, the Paradisi is juicy, bold, bitter and sour.
In English, both are called “grapefruit” colloquially, however technically the Maxima is a “pomelo” (or “pummelo”). In French, they’re commonly called “pamplemousse". Similarly (but opposite) to English, this is accurate only for Citrus Maxima, the true name for Citrus Paradisi being “pomelo”.
As Cointreau uses Citrus Paradisi from Corsica, with Protected Geographical Indication status, it’s taken on the French naming system, going by Corsican Pomelo.
