The Chinese believe the pomelo or pummelo symbolizes abundance and prosperity. In Cantonese the word for pomelo is yau 柚 which sounds like the word for “to have” 有. The green pomelo, which becomes yellow when ripe, is a common sight in the shops before the Chinese New Year. The Chinese believe it is important to have at least one pomelo in the house for decoration, or better still, to have a pair, since good things always come in pairs. To use a pomelo to decorate one’s home during the New Year implies a wish that the home will have everything it needs for the coming year.
I am from Ipoh and would go to Tambun, a town nearby, to buy pomeloes. For your information, Tambun is famous for pomeloes. There are two varieties: a sweet kind, which has white flesh, and a sour kind, which has pinkish flesh. The Taoists like to use it as an offering to their deities by placing the fruit on the altar. I bought only one pomelo which costs RM5.50. I usually buy one to place on the altar of my ancestors at home whenever there is an important festival. As it is the festive season, the fruit is sold for about RM10 - RM12 for a similar sized one. My aunt Linda bought five to give to her relatvies.
The pomelo is an important ingredient in the auspicious Lo Hei salad known as Yee Sang. This dish is eaten during the Lunar New Year festival in Singapore and Malaysia.
Reference:
http://www.ifoodmart.com/CuisineArticles/ChineseNewYear/CNYFruit.aspx
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