Rio Star and Other Popular Texas Grapefruit Types

Texas grapefruit is known around the world for its unique colors and tangy flavor. Texas is home to several types of grapefruit that you can only get in Texas like the Rio Star and the Ruby Sweet. These particular types of grapefruit are highly prized, and are the result of years of selective fruit breeding. Originally Texas grapefruit only included white and pink types, because those were the types that were brought to Texas by the French and Spanish missionaries who populated it in the 1800s. But as grapefruit became more profitable more and more farmers started cultivating the fruit. A farmer in the early 1900s was surprised to find that his pink grapefruit trees started producing red grapefruit. The unique and delicious flavor of the red grapefruit quickly became a big hit with the public and farmers started actively trying to breed their own types of red grapefruit. These days all of those different kinds are called “Ruby” grapefruit but there are a lot of variations in color and taste when it comes to ruby red grapefruit.

Two of the most unique and most well known variations of ruby Texas grapefruit are the Rio Star and Ruby Sweet. Each was created through many years of experimentation and breeding. A scientists at Texas A&M University, Dr. Richard Hensz, spent years trying to create the deepest and richest ruby red grapefruit possible. His work eventually led to the creation of the Star Ruby and the Rio Red. These types were the reddest grapefruits that had been seen up to that point, and the sweetest too. After more cross breeding to get just the right color and natural sweetness Dr. Hensz patented his discoveries as the Rio Star and Ruby Sweet types of Texas grapefruit. Today those two varieties of grapefruit are prized all over the world, but you can only get them from Texas growers.

If you love grapefruit you need to keep plenty of delicious Texas grapefruit on hand to enjoy throughout the year. The Rio Star and Ruby Sweet grapefruit types are only a couple of many different types of grapefruit that are grown in Texas. Until you have tasted the unique flavor of grapefruit and oranges that come from the sub tropical Southern Texas climate you haven't really tasted grapefruit. Try some today and you'll be amazed at the intense flavor of Texas grapefruit as well as the beautiful coloring of the fruits.

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