How to Segment Citrus

Segmenting citrus is time consuming, of that there is no doubt, but removing the juicy sections of fruit from their papery membranes is well worth the effort. 

Visually, segmenting the fruit will make your salad, dessert, or finished dish more beautiful, and from a practical standpoint citrus fruits are easier to eat with a spoon or fork once freed from their protective coating.

Suprême is the technical name referring to the technique, but whether you suprême citrus or segment it the goal (and result) remains the same: jewel toned, juicy fruit that is easy to eat!

It’s simpler to suprême an orange, grapefruit, or pomelo than you might think. Just follow these step by step instructions. 

How to Cut Citrus Segments, Stey by Step

I routinely take the extra time to suprême my citrus, and I personally find the process relaxing.

1. Start with a sharp knife and trim the pole ends of the citrus so they lay flat on the cutting board.

2. Start at the top and use your knife to remove the peel by following the curve of the fruit from one end to the other, exposing the juicy fruit segments beneath. If you miss any bits of pith on your first round, do a second pass.

3. Work over a bowl to catch the juices and cut between each membrane to remove the segments one at a time.

4. Squeeze the membranes into the bowl with the caught juices and save it for another use, such as flavoring a vinaigrette or mixing with a splash of mineral water for a light and refreshing drink.

5 Easy Recipes That Make Use of Citrus Segments

• Cardamom Citrus Fruit Salad
• Grapefruit Avocado Salad
• Parfait with Maple Yogurt, Citrus and Pomegranate
• Radicchio Salad with Citrus
• Beet Citrus Salad with Kale and Pistachios