Still looking for that perfect holiday gift? Add grapefruit to your list. Gifting citrus fruits to friends, family, and loved ones is a long-established tradition in many cultures, on many occasions. The symbolism of a simple orange is recognized throughout the world, and its nutritional properties might just save your life! Want to know more? Here’s the squeeze.
At Christmas, oranges are a welcome winter treat. As a popular stocking stuffer, they symbolize the balls of gold left by St. Nicolas on his annual visit to all good boys and girls. In Chinese tradition, tangerines are often gifted during the Spring Festival, which takes place annually in early February. This symbolic citrus fruit is a token of good fortune, prosperity, and abundance in the next Lunar New Year. For celebrants of the Solstice, oranges evoke the sun, the winter day when our favorite star reaches the apex of its path. This year’s celebration takes place on December 21.
In Texas, grapefruit are the king citris fruit, but not just any grapefruit. They must be Ruby Red Grapefruit, and serious citrus seekers await their arrival every year. Texans are so proud of our ruby fruit that the Texas Red Grapefruit was adopted as the official state fruit by House Concurrent Resolution No. 75. It was signed by then Governor Ann Richards on May 17, 1993, stating:
This variety of grapefruit has been carefully nurtured and perfected over time and is renowned for its sweetness and rich, red interior; and as nutritious as it is palate-pleasing, the Texas Red Grapefruit contains no fat or sodium, lowers high levels of blood cholesterol, boosts iron absorption, is low in calories, and is rich in vitamin C.
February’s unprecedented winter freeze swept across Southeast Texas, affecting everything from agriculture to zoos. Citrus growers in the Rio Grande Valley, where the best Ruby Reds are produced, took an especially hard hit. As a result, this season’s yield of saleable Ruby Reds is lower than expected, and Texas grapefruit are in short supply. Consumers, however, are just as hungry for their favorite fruit. In order to meet their demand, Texas is relying more heavily on imported grapefruit from places like Mexico or South Africa. What does this mean for the grapefruit growers of Texas? Here’s the pulp.
The Agriculture rules in the Texas Administrative Code stipulate the requirements for every mature grapefruit that’s considered “fit for consumption,” including minimum juice requirements. The United States Department of Agriculture regulates Texas grapefruit as well, specifying the acceptable standards for color, texture, and shape. In April, however, the USDA decided to suspend the juice content requirement for imports, saying in Patch #605
The juice content requirement that pertains to maturity determination for imported grapefruits under Section 8e is suspended until further notice pending a review from Specialty Crops Program management. Do not perform juice content measurements as a measure of maturity.
Growers are not happy. The long-term impact of these changes on the market could be significant. The immediate loss of income for producers will be considerable, but the loss of satisfied consumers may be even more of a concern.
On your next visit to the produce department, be sure to check the labels on your grapefruit. Support local growers. You will enjoy a superior citrus treat as you help juice the economy with your purchase.