Star Ruby Grapefruit
Estimated Inventory, 27 ct : 26.45
This item was last sold on : 12/31/24
Description/Taste
Star Ruby grapefruits are round citrus fruits with a globular, slightly flattened shape. They may have a faintly pointed stem end and measure about 8 to 10 centimeters in diameter, making them smaller than most grapefruit varieties. Star Ruby grapefruits' thick rind has a bright yellow-orange hue with a rose-orange blush across its surface. This smooth, shiny rind is covered in tiny lenticels and laden with volatile oils that intensify when the rind is punctured or zested, releasing a medley of citrus aromatics. This variety has dark orange-pink flesh split up into aqueous triangular segments. Their flesh is succulent and firm, filled with small juicy sacs that are low-seeded or completely seedless. Star Rubys’ are sweeter than most grapefruit varieties and have a slightly acidic and tangy flavor.
Seasons/Availability
The availability of Star Ruby grapefruits varies depending on the region. In the United States and Israel, they may be found from late winter to early summer. In the Middle East and Southern Europe, they are typically available from late fall to spring. In Southern Africa, they are in season during the summer and fall.
Current Facts
Star Ruby grapefruits are botanically known as Citrus paradisi and belong to the Rutaceae family along with tangerines, oranges, citrons, and lemons. This variety is also called Sunrise grapefruits and was developed in 1970 by irradiating the seeds of Hudson grapefruits and selectively breeding them to produce a deeply pigmented, less seedy fruit. This was the first successful application of this method and ultimately led to the creation of the Rio Red grapefruit, which features flesh that's about five times as intensely pigmented as that of the original variety. Despite coming from Texas, Star Ruby grapefruits became significantly more prominent in South Africa. This popularity began when seeds were given to Dr. Anton Hough in 1972. Hough planted Star Ruby grapefruit trees throughout South Africa during the 1970s, eventually developing a successful crop that launched the country’s grapefruit industry. This variety is used predominantly for its culinary properties.
Nutritional Value
Star Ruby grapefruits are a significant source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system and promotes healthy skin. Additionally, these grapefruits provide vitamin A, essential for vision and cell growth, and fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight. The fruit is also packed with flavanones, including naringin, hesperidin, and rutin, which have antioxidant properties and may help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. Flavones and flavonols in Star Ruby grapefruits contribute to their antioxidant activity, protecting cells from oxidative damage. The presence of anthocyanins imparts a vibrant red color and supports overall health through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Star Ruby grapefruits also contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease, and β-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and supports eye health.
Applications
Star Ruby grapefruits are consumed for their juicy flesh and are best enjoyed fresh. They’re frequently enjoyed alongside breakfast dishes, where they are eaten on their own or sliced on top of pancakes, waffles, yogurt, and granola. The juice from this variety is also mixed into vinaigrettes, sauces, syrups, and jams. Star Ruby grapefruits are often sliced up for salads with ingredients like cucumbers, watercress, blood oranges, avocados, pistachios, and fennel. They pair well with proteins like veal, spice-rubbed ham, and poached salmon. Star Ruby grapefruits add a tangy bite to sorbets, souffles, panna cotta, and shortbread cookies. Both when sliced or juiced, they blend well with margaritas, smoothies, sangria, teas, punch, and cocktails. Star Ruby grapefruits are complemented by the flavors of strawberries, honey, basil, ricotta, jasmine, grapes, kiwi, pears, pomegranate, beets, mint, watermelon, lemons, limes, cherry tomatoes, celery, ginger, walnuts, poppy seed dressings, and hollandaise sauce.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The grapefruit diet gained cultural relevance partially due to its association with Hollywood and popular films. The American actor James Cagney played a role in popularizing grapefruit during the 1930s in his films “The Public Enemy", where a grapefruit was smashed into a character's face, and "Hard to Handle", which featured a storyline about promoting this grapefruit diet. This 18-day diet quickly became a sensation, reflecting society's interest in weight loss strategies. The diet is also associated with the late 1920s when the LaSalle & Koch tea room in Toledo, Ohio, promoted it by claiming that actress Ethel Barrymore followed the diet.
Geography/History
Star Ruby grapefruits were developed at Texas A & I University in 1959 by Dr. Dick Hensz and were commercially released in the early 1970s. This variety was then introduced to and perfected in South Africa, where they experienced significantly more commercial success than in the United States. The grapefruit species originated in Barbados, traveled through Mexico, and reached Florida in the 1820s, where they first gained major commercial importance. The fruit was shipped around the United States and was particularly productive in Florida and Texas. By the mid-20th century, grapefruit production was once again spread internationally, with the largest producers of the fruit being China, Mexico, and South Africa. Star Ruby grapefruits flourish in Mediterranean-like climates, requiring full sun and well-drained soils to survive. As a hybrid breed, they are not found in the wild but are frequently produced in home gardens and sold in stores and farmers' markets in the United States, China, Vietnam, South Africa, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and Cyprus.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Pool (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Wormwood (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
| Herb & Wood Bar | San Diego CA | 619-955-8495 |
| Cutwater Spirits (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Trust Restaurant (Bar) | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Jensens Finest Foods - Produce | San Diego CA | 619-550-2097 |
| Frankie's | Oceanside CA | 442-266-2270 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Pendry SD (Lionfish Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Botanica (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
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| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| OB Noodle House Bar 1502 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9858 |
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| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-269-9036 |
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| Seneca Bar | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
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| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Waverly (Bar) | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Hamburger Hut | Encinitas CA | 760-230-1999 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista (Bar) | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel (Black&Blue) | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Invigatorium | San Diego CA | 855-634-7664 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
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| Lafayette Hotel - Quixote (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
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| The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
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| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
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| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| The Lion Share Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
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| Sbicca Del Mar (Bar) | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
| The Whaling Bar (Bar) | La Jolla CA | 858-355-9218 |
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| Cucina Urbana (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
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| Little Frenchie (Bar) | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
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| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
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| Tribute Pizza (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Monarch (Bar) | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Extraordinary Desserts | San Diego CA | 619-294-2132 |
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| Cloak and Petal Bar | San Diego CA | 619-501-5505 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| InterContinental Vistal Bar | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) Bar | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Moniker Coffee Company (Bar) | San Diego CA | 916-945-6721 |
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| Coin-Op Game Room (Downtown) | San Diego CA | 619-255-8864 |
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| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
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| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
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| Sushi Gaga | San Diego CA | 619-808-1556 |
| Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
| Lafayette Hotel - The Gutter | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Smoking Gun (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
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| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Green Acres Campus Bar | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Piatti Bar | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Mister A's Bar | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
| Le Coq (Bar) | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
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| American Pizza Manufacturing | La Jolla CA | 858-246-6756 |
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| Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
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| Home & Away - Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Star Ruby Grapefruit. One
is easiest, three is harder.
