How to Cut an Orange, Grapefruit and More

While you can peel a citrus fruit with your hands, cutting it into slices or wedges is an easier and cleaner way to get it ready to eat. Here are some ways to cut an orange, a grapefruit, and more.

Become a Citrus Cutting Pro With Seido Knives

Tips for Selecting Ripe Citrus Fruits

Before you cut into a citrus fruit, you must always pick the best one. Whether you're making juice or using it to enhance your drinks, the fruit you pick can make all the difference. Here are some considerations when selecting ripe citrus fruits.

• Color: Avoid fruits with brown patches. Your fruits should be vibrant.
• Texture: The skin should be firm. Slightly soft is OK, but avoid any fruit that is too soft.
• Skin: Minor blemishes aren't a problem, but avoid fruits that have deep cuts.
• Smell: The fruit should emit a fragrant, citrusy smell.

Essential Tools

Chef Knife/Paring Knife

To effectively cut citrus fruits, you will need a fruit-cutting knife, such as a chef’s knife or paring knife. A chef’s knife is ideal for large citrus fruits such as grapefruits, while a paring knife is good for smaller fruits such as limes. Use the chef's knife from our Hanikamu VG10 Damascus Chef Knife Set or our Tengoku Chef Knife Set, 10-Piece to get a clean cut.

Cutting Board

You will also need a safe and sturdy cutting board. You can use a wooden board, which is gentle on knives. Alternatively, you can choose a plastic board, which is easy to clean.

Paper Towels

Paper towels will come in handy when you need to wipe up any juice spills. They can also be used to wipe the fruits after washing them.

How to Cut an Orange

Step 1: Wash the Orange

Rinse your orange to remove any pesticides and dirt. Then, pat it dry with your paper towel.

Step 2: Trim the Ends

Using your knife and cutting board, trim both ends of the orange to create a flat surface.

Step 3: Cut the Orange in Half

Place the orange on one of the flat ends, and slice it down the middle. This will give you two halves.

Step 4: Cut the Orange Into Slices or Segments

Many people like citrus segments (also known as a citrus supreme) because they don't have the white membrane and the pith. What is a paring knife used for? It's ideal if you want to make segments. Here's how to cut an orange into segments.

• Remove the pith and peel: After trimming the ends, place the orange on a flat end. Starting at the top, slice downward to remove the peel and the white pith.

• Create segments: Creating segments is a different approach on how to cut an orange. Using a paring knife, cut the orange along the membrane, from top to bottom, to free it. Then lift out the segment with your knife. Do the same for each segment.

How to Cut a Grapefruit

Step 1: Wash the Grapefruit

Rinse the grapefruit to remove any dirt and pesticides. Next, pat the grapefruit dry with a paper towel.

Step 2: Trim the Ends

Slice off both ends of the grapefruit. This will help stabilize the fruit when you cut it.

Step 3: Halve the Grapefruit

Stand the grapefruit on one of the flat ends. Using a chef’s knife, slice the grapefruit down the middle. If you want slices, place the halved grapefruit cut side down on your cutting board and slice across. This will give you round sections.

How to Cut a Lime or Lemon

Step 1: Wash the Lime or Lemon

Like with any other citrus fruit, rinse your lime or lemon to remove dirt, pesticides and residues.

Step 2: Trim the Ends

Place the lime or lemon on the cutting board, and slice off both ends.

Step 3: How to Cut a Lemon or Lime in Wedges

Stand the lemon or lime on one of the flat ends. To create wedges, cut the lemon or lime in half lengthwise. Then place the halved lemon or lime cut side down, and slice each half into quarters. You can cut each quarter in half if you want smaller wedges.

Bonus Tips for Preserving Citrus Fruits

Citrus cut fruits can last up to one week at room temperature. Here are some tips if you'd like to preserve them for longer.

• Store them in the fridge.
• For already cut pieces, use airtight containers, and then refrigerate.
• Alternatively, wrap cut pieces in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then refrigerate to prevent them from drying up.
• Freeze whole citrus fruits or slices.
• Ensure the fruits are dry before storing them. Excess moisture can cause mold.

From Slice to Squeeze: Perfect Your Citrus-Cutting Craft

Perfect your citrus-cutting craft by using a chef knife for larger citrus fruits and a paring knife for smaller citrus fruits. You can also learn how to cut wedges with the above techniques, so you can now cut fruit in whatever way you like.

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