Texas Grapefruit Varieties
The discovery of the Ruby Red grapefruit in 1929 was directly responsible for the growth of the citrus industry in Texas. It also turned America into the world's top producer of the tasty breakfast fruit and inspired countless diet programs. What made the Ruby Red so special?
Before it was discovered, the grapefruit was seen as too as sour for mass consumption. The pink and white varieties of the fruit were little more than minor crops in the citrus-producing states. But for some strange reason fruit farmers from Texas took a shine to the exotic island fruit. Even after it failed to impress local fruit lovers, they continued to plant grapefruit in South Texas.
A small region known as the Rio Grande Valley became famous for its burgeoning citrus industry. Its name is a misnomer, since the area is actually a floodplain on the northern banks of the Rio Grande. With its subtropical climate and fertile soil, the Valley (as the locals call it) is the perfect place to cultivate citrus crops.
Over ninety percent of all Texas citrus comes from the Lower Rio Grande Valley and grapefruit accounts for over 70 percent of the total crop. Many orchard owners in the area grow only red grapefruit. The ban on pink and white varieties was instituted in 1962. That means that every grapefruit that is grown in the Lone Star State is a descendent of the original Ruby Red.
The Ruby Red crop was so popular that farmers and scientist scoured orchards in search of the reddest buds. Their goal was to create the reddest possible version of the fruit. At least three new trademarked varieties were discovered in Texas, and all of them were redder and sweeter than the original Ruby Red grapefruit.
The Rio Star®
Dr. Richard Hensz spent years in his laboratory at the A & I Citrus Center trying to create the reddest and sweetest grapefruit in the world. The fruit of his labor (pun intended) was the famous Rio Star®. One of the world's bestselling grapefruits, the Rio Star® is said to be seven to ten times redder than the original Ruby Red. Dr. Hensz used a simple mutation technique and
ionizing radiation to create his masterpiece.
The Ruby-Sweet®
This variety combines newer, redder grapefruit with the original Ruby Red for a smoother taste that is not too sweet. It has thin yellow skin that is tinged with a reddish blush, and the inside flesh is three to five times redder than the Ruby Red.
The Flame®
For fruit lovers who enjoy the original Ruby and find the newer varieties simply too sweet, the Flame offers them something in between. It is red, but not too red, with a savory sweet taste that still has a bit of sour in it.
All varieties are available at supermarkets and fruit stands from October through May.
Farm Fresh Gifts Since 1926
For nearly a century, Pittman & Davis has shared the bold, sun-kissed flavors of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. From tree-ripened citrus to smoked meats, pastries, and handcrafted specialties, every gift reflects the land it comes from, the people who craft it, and the unforgettable taste it delivers.
Shop Now