Ruby Red Grapefruit (Citrus × Paradisi)

⚠ Citrus ships to Florida only ⚠

The gem of all citrus varieties is Ruby Red Grapefruit (Citrus X paradisi). It was once described as the “forbidden fruit” of Barbados, treated like an unnatural mutation of the shaddock or pummelo, and cut down rather than purposefully cultivated. Ruby Red Grapefruit rose to fame in the citrus orchards of Florida and Texas, where hot days and warm nights produced the best quality fruit. The ideal Ruby Red Grapefruit has a pale outer peel, and a soft, sanguine flesh that’s pleasantly sweet and low in acid. Leave Ruby Red Grapefruit to mature on the tree for best results.

Grapefruit trees require similar care to other

Citrus

varieties

, with a lower cold tolerance than usual. Deep and well-drained soils with plenty of sun will give the tree room to flourish. You should remove any fruit set in the first year or two of growth, so the tree can grow stronger branches and stems. Once mature, harvest fruits as needed between October and May. That’s grapefruit season in Florida. Grapefruit juice is most often enjoyed fresh, or extracted and chilled for other culinary uses. Grapefruit benefits include loads of vitamins and water, and it’s been the star of diet fads over the past century.