Texas is the promised land for growing the sweetest grapefruit. The third largest producing state in the U.S., the Texas citrus industry covers about 27,000 acres (11,000 hectares), with grapefruit accounting for about 70%. Texas grapefruit growers carefully maintain crop quality through precision irrigation techniques, growing conditions and extensive research. Texas grapefruit is tree-ripened and hand-picked to ensure the best quality and taste possible.
Perfectly suited to South Texas’ sub-tropical climate, fertile soil, and sunny weather, the first plantings of grapefruit can be traced back to the late 1800’s. Today, Texas Red Grapefruit’s sweet and juicy flavor is known around the world.
Grapefruit Goodness
Eating grapefruit regularly may be beneficial for your immune system. Just one-half of a Texas red grapefruit contains 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C! And grapefruit also provides B vitamins, zinc, copper, and iron, which all work together in the body to support immune system function.
Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin A, a good source of dietary fiber, and fat-, cholesterol- and sodium-free. In fact, grapefruit is one of the lowest-calorie fruits available and is low on the glycemic index, making it a healthy sweetener to any diet. Further, the combination of fiber, potassium, lycopene, vitamin C, and choline in grapefruit may all support heart health.
Taste the Difference
While the sweet-tart flavor of Texas grapefruit is great on its own for breakfast or a snack, there are lots of tasty ways to use grapefruit in other applications. Grapefruit juice and zest can be used to add zing to dressings, marinades, and sauces. Add a twist, and fresh-squeezed juice, to cocktails and beverages to create unique flavor combinations.
Fresh grapefruit is prefect for adding a pop of unexpected flavor to fresh salads, salsas and more. That refreshing, tart flavor also makes the perfect pairing for fish, chicken and pork. Add a pinch of salt to enhance flavor, or pair with herbs and spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, fresh mint or rosemary. The Texas Red Grapefruit is especially known for its incredibly bold flavor, that embodies the spirit of Texas itself!
Grown Delicious
The major grapefruit varieties in Texas are, Rio Star, Winter Sweetz, Henderson, Ray and Rio Red. All were discovered in Texas and are red-fleshed, seedless and have varying degrees of redness in the peel.
Rio Star® grapefruit combines the two reddest varieties – Rio Red and Star Ruby grapefruit. They have an overall blush on the exterior peel with a deep red interior color which is 7-10 time redder than the Ruby Red grapefruit.
Ruby Sweet® includes the famous Ruby Red, Henderson and Ray. Its smooth, yellow skin is naturally tinged with a reddish blush and an interior color 3-5 times redder than Ruby Red.
Flame grapefruits are red, but not too red, with the sweet, delectable taste of the Ruby-Sweet and Rio Star. This variety is only available at certain times, normally October through May.
More Information
Contact the Texas Department of Agriculture for more information about Texas agricultural products at .
