Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit that is native to Jamaica. It was discovered growing in the wild in 1924. Ugli fruit is a natural hybrid between 3 citrus fruits: grapefruit, Seville orange and a tangerine. Ugli fruit got its name in 1934 when an importer ordered “more of that ugly fruit!”

Where are ugli fruits found?

The ugli fruit was found growing wild in Jamaica, and it is believed to be a hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine, and perhaps pomelo. It is indeed a rather ugly fruit – mostly green and wrinkled until it is fully ripe, when it turns orange like ours. It's available from December through April, and sometimes in the fall.

Where are ugli fruits most commonly grown?

Sharp at Trout Hall, near Brown's Town in Jamaica. Ugli™ fruit was developed commercially by the same family which discovered the original tree and was originally marketed as The Exotic Tangelo from Jamaica™. Today, the Ugli™ fruit is grown and exported from Jamaica and Florida.