Texas Sweet Grapefruit
For one, Texas Grapefruit is
SO SWEET because it is so RED! This is due to where they are
grown…Way down on the southernmost tip of Texas, right on the
Mexican border. This area is also known as the Rio Grande Valley.
The climate there is absolutely perfect for growing citrus. The days are filled with sunshine, with warm tropical breezes at night. The mild winters provide just the right amount of cool air to boost the color at just the right time. Texas Citrus is tree-ripened and handpicked an assurance of superior quality fruit at all times.
 Grapefruit Margarita |
 Rio Star Grapefruit Lemonade |
 Grapefruit and Vodka Cooler |
 Riomosa |
 Sparkling Citrus Holiday Punch |
 Grapefruit and Campari Jelly |
 Grapefruit Mint Smoothie |
 Simple Citrus Fruit Salad |
 Grapefruit and Avocado Salad |
 Citrus and Kiwifruit Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Pistachios |
 Citrus Fruit Salad with Creamy Lemon-Mint Yogurt |
 Grapefruit and Salmon Salad |
 Grapefruit Chicken Salad |
 Fiesta Salad |
 Chinese Citrus Chicken Salad |
 Grapefruit, Mango, and Grilled Steak Salad |
 Blue Cheese Citrus Chicken Salad |
 Spicy Grapefruit Salad |
 Citrus Guacamole |
 Pan Chicken with Grapefruit-shallot-mint Sauce |
 Grilled Shrimp with Rio Star Grapefruit Glaze |
 Holiday Ham with Rio Star Grapefruit Glaze |
 Citrus Asparagus |
The first grapefruit seeds
were brought to South Texas by Spanish Missionaries in 1893. In
1914, the first commercial grove of White Grapefruit Trees was
planted. Then, in 1929, an accidental discovery was made of a red
grapefruit growing on a pink grapefruit tree. Redder varieties were
found in the next few years, and the Ruby Red Grapefruit was born.
Freezes in the 1950’s killed most of the citrus trees, and the growers decided to only re-plant red grapefruit trees. This is why we ONLY grow RED grapefruit in South Texas. Over the years, even redder varieties have been found.
Today, we grow approximately 28,000 acres of citrus. 70% of the citrus grown in Texas is Grapefruit. The majority of this is a variety called the Rio Star. This grapefruit is 7 to 10 times redder than the famed Ruby Red grapefruit. And remember, the redder it is, the sweeter it is.
The other 30% is Oranges. We grow 3 varieties of oranges: navel, midseason, and Valencia’s.
Not
only is our Citrus so very sweet, but they are very good for you
too. Texas Grapefruit and Oranges have NO fat, sodium or Cholesterol. They are both excellent sources of Vitamin C, and a good source of Vitamin A and dietary fiber. Half a medium Grapefruit has 60 only calories; while a whole orange has 70 calories.
All in all, Texas citrus is very tasty, and very healthy to boot.
- When purchasing grapefruit, look for a piece of fruit that is heavy for its size, this means it is very juicy.
- Grapefruit will last about 2 weeks in a cool place in your home, or up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Also, Grapefruit got its name because it grows on the tree in clusters….just like grapes.
- Texas Grapefruit is the state Fruit of Texas
- February is National Grapefruit Month
