Red Grapefruit (State Fruit)

The Texas Red Grapefruit is the official state fruit of Texas, pronounced by the Texas legislature in 1993. A few years later, the Texas legislature would name the city of Weslaco the  
Citrus Capital of Texas.
 
The red grapefruit was first planted in the 1890s, and shipped throughout the U.S. in the 1920s.
 
 
State History Guide Resources
Texas Red Grapefruit
(Citrus Paradisi)
Adopted in 1993.
The Texas red grapefruit was designated the official state fruit by the 73rd Legislature in 1993. Texas red grapefruit is grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Texas produces the following trademarked categories of grapefruit:

Ruby-Sweet®
Includes the famous Ruby Red, and other redder varieties - Henderson and Ray. Its smooth, yellow skin is naturally tinged with a reddish blush, and an interior color 3 to 5 times redder than the Ruby Red.

Rio Star®
Combines the two reddest varieties - Rio Red and Star Ruby grapefruit. It has an overall blush on the exterior peel with a deep red interior color which is 7 to 10 times redder than the Ruby Red.

Flame
Red but not too red, with the same sweet, delectable taste as the Ruby-Sweet and Rio Star. Available at certain times from October through May.

History
The origin of the grapefruit, also known by the Latin name, Citrus Paradisi, is somewhat obscure. It is thought that the grapefruit was first found in Barbados during the 1750’s as a mutation of the pummelo. Years later, research confirmed that grapefruit is a hybrid of a pummelo (citrus grandis), and the sweet orange (citrus sinensis). Originally known as “the forbidden fruit”, it wasn’t until the 1800’s that a Jamaican farmer called the fruit “grapefruit” for the grape-like cluster in which it grows on trees. During this time, it’s believed that grapefruit made its way to the United States in the form of seeds brought by either Spanish or French settlers to Florida. Eventually, grapefruit made its way to South Texas, most likely by visiting Spanish missionaries.

The first reported planting of a grove in Texas was 1893. Initial grapefruit plantings in Texas were the white varieties, followed by pink varieties. John H. Shary, a developer originally from Omaha, Nebraska, was so impressed by the small crop raised by early citrus experimenters that he felt citrus was the crop of the future for Texas. Shary, also known as the “Father of the Citrus Industry”, combined his interest in growing citrus with the latest irrigation techniques and a determination to sell valley citrus commercially. In 1914, he bought 16,000 acres of brush land and after clearing it, proceeded to grow his first crop of seeded white grapefruit.

The first commercial shipment of citrus - packed in onion crates - left the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas in 1920. 
 
Texas Legislature
H.C.R. No. 75
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 
WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and
 
WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the pecan tree, and the mockingbird are examples of natural specimens that serve to exemplify the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our shared culture as Texans; and
 
WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the Texas Red Grapefruit as the official State Fruit of Texas will provide suitable recognition for this outstanding food resource; and
 
WHEREAS, First discovered by Texas citrus growers in 1929, this variety of grapefruit has been carefully nurtured and perfected over time and is renowned for its sweetness and rich, red interior; and
 
WHEREAS, 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; and
 
WHEREAS, This delicious fruit also is a boon to the state economy, generating more revenue than any other tree fruit produced within our borders; and
 
WHEREAS, As distinctive as the proud state from which it originates, the Texas Red Grapefruit will serve as a fitting emblem for the bounties of nature with which our state is blessed; now, therefore, be it
 
RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the Texas Red Grapefruit as the official State Fruit of Texas.
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark TEXASWEET
Goods and Services IC 029 031. US 046. G & S: FRESH CITROUS FRUITS-NAMELY, GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGES, TANGERINES, AND LEMONS; CANNED CITROUS FRUITS-NAMELY, CANNED GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGE MARMALADE, GRAPEFRUIT MARMALADE. FIRST USE: 19250910. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19250910
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Design Search Code
Serial Number 71227973
Filing Date March 1, 1926
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 0216572
Registration Date August 17, 1926
Owner (REGISTRANT) TEXAS CITRUS FRUIT GROWERS’ EXCHANGE CORPORATION TEXAS MISSION TEXAS
(LAST LISTED OWNER) TEXASWEET CITRUS, INC. CORPORATION ASSIGNEE OF TEXAS 901 Business Park Drive Suite 100 Mission TEXAS 78572
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record KEVIN G SMITH
Prior Registrations 0193035
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 12C. SECTION 8(10-YR) 20060911.
Renewal 4TH RENEWAL 20060911
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark RIO STAR
Goods and Services IC 031. US 046. G & S: FRESH CITRUS FRUITS, NAMELY, GRAPEFRUITS AND ORANGES. FIRST USE: 19870609. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870609
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Design Search Code
Serial Number 73743800
Filing Date August 3, 1988
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition December 13, 1988
Registration Number 1528524
Registration Date March 7, 1989
Owner (REGISTRANT) TEXASWEET CITRUS ADVERTISING, INC. CORPORATION TEXAS P.O. BOX 2497 MCALLEN TEXAS 785022497
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record KEVIN G. SMITH
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark RUBY-SWEET
Goods and Services IC 031. US 046. G & S: FRESH CITRUS FRUITS, NAMELY, GRAPEFRUITS AND ORANGES. FIRST USE: 19880701. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19880701
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Design Search Code
Serial Number 73743799
Filing Date August 3, 1988
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition December 27, 1988
Registration Number 1531126
Registration Date March 21, 1989
Owner (REGISTRANT) TEXASWEET CITRUS ADVERTISING, INC. CORPORATION TEXAS P.O. BOX 2497 MCALLEN TEXAS 785022497
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record KEVIN G. SMITH
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE