I adore grapefruit, but I can’t say I’ve met very many people who agree with that sentiment. It’s definitely an acquired taste – that is unless it’s a Ruby Red grapefruit. Unlike the traditional pink-fleshed grapefruit, the Ruby Red variety is as sweet as honey. The best part? Its roots can be traced back to Texas! Now one of the most popular grapefruit varieties sold in stores nationwide, the Ruby Red has a fascinating origin story, so you won’t want to miss a beat.

If you tend to stay away from grapefruits because of their bitter taste, you've probably never had a Ruby Red grapefruit.
Flickr Stacy Spensley
This popular variety of the citrus fruit is much sweeter than its pink-fleshed counterparts...and it originated right here in Texas.
Before we dive into specifics, let's start at the beginning and define what exactly a grapefruit is.
Flickr Amy Ross
The grapefruit is actually not a natural fruit, but rather a hybrid of a pomelo and a sweet orange. The bitter flavor is thanks to a chemical called naringin, large amounts of which are present in the fruit.
Settlers brought grapefruit seeds to Florida, and the fruit eventually made its way to South Texas (likely via Spanish missionaries).
Flickr Tara Schmidt
In 1929, a mutated grapefruit was discovered in a South Texas orchard. Instead of the fruit's characteristic pink flesh, this grapefruit had bright red flesh and a much sweeter taste.

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Thus, the Ruby Red grapefruit was born. Today, this is arguably the most popular grapefruit variety in Texas and is sold far and wide (even in other states).
Flickr Goat Tree Designs (www.goattreedesigns.com)
If you've never had a Ruby Red before, you're in for a treat. Unlike most grapefruits, these gems don't even need sugar on top!
Flickr Rhonda Fleming Hayes
So next time you're at the grocery store, snag a few Ruby Red grapefruits if you can - and don't forget to thank your lucky stars you live in Texas!
Flickr Steven Labinski

Have you ever had a Ruby Red grapefruit? If so, do you like them better than traditional grapefruits? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more things that were invented in Texas, and shop Wear Your Roots if you’d like to show off your Texas pride!

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