Rubyglow® Pineapples
Estimated Inventory, ea : 0
Description/Taste
Rubyglow® pineapples are a uniform variety averaging 1.6 to 3.3 kilograms in weight and have a cylindrical to conical shape with blunt, curved ends. The fruits range 9 to 11 centimeters in diameter and 14 to 17 centimeters in length and are sold without the crowns attached. Rubyglow® pineapples have a signature red-hued appearance, and the surface is rough, textured, and fibrous with a waxy feel. The exterior is covered in individual hexagonal segments fusing to form one surface, and the coloring varies in shades of red to red-purple with yellow-brown bracts. These segments are also shallow, flat, and broad, allowing the rind to be easily sliced from the flesh without excess waste. Underneath the surface, the golden yellow to pale yellow flesh is smooth, lightly fibrous, and aqueous with a chewy, succulent, and tender consistency. The flesh also has an edible core and is generally solid and dense. Rubyglow® pineapples release a subtly fragrant, sweet aroma and are edible when ripe. The flesh has a high sugar content, 12 to 15 degrees Brix, creating a sweet, floral, and tropical taste combined with acidic and tart nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Rubyglow® pineapples are available year-round.
Current Facts
Rubyglow® pineapples, botanically classified as Ananas comosus var. comosus, are a rare hybrid variety belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. The pigmented fruits were developed using natural crossbreeding techniques in the early 21st century and were released as a new commercial cultivar in 2024. Rubyglow® pineapples are exclusively grown by Del Monte Fresh Produce in Costa Rica and are currently sold in limited quantities only in China and the United States. Each Rubyglow® pineapple is individually packaged in a curated, ornamental box that is said to unfold in segmented pieces, creating an aesthetically memorable experience. Rubyglow® pineapples are also sold without their crowns, as the crowns are re-used to sow the next generation of crops. The designer variety is marketed by the company as a “high-end, ultra-premium luxury fruit” and is cultivated in small quantities, around 5,000 pineapples in 2024 and 3,000 in 2025. It takes two years to grow Rubyglow® pineapples, and the fruits are allowed to ripen on the plant before being harvested. Rubyglow® pineapples are named for their red-hued skin, elusiveness, and premium nature, traits comparable to the precious ruby gem. The fruits are primarily consumed fresh as a delicacy and are challenging to find in commercial markets.
Nutritional Value
Rubyglow® pineapples have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Like other yellow-fleshed commercial varieties, the pineapples may be a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin E to protect the cells against free radical damage, and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The variety may also provide some potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, calcium to build strong bones and teeth, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and other amounts of manganese, iron, B vitamins, and magnesium.
Applications
Rubyglow® pineapples have a sweet, tangy, and tropical taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is typically consumed straight out of hand and is savored for its unique skin coloring and juicy, tender flesh. Rubyglow® pineapples are a premium variety that is extremely difficult to find in markets. The luxury pineapples are enjoyed fresh to allow the variety to shine in its natural state and are featured as an edible showpiece. Rubyglow® pineapples can be sliced and served on appetizer platters, tossed into salads, mixed into fruit medleys, or stirred into ceviche. The pineapples can also be used in any recipe calling for common pineapple and are sometimes blended and frozen into sorbet, popsicles, and ice cream. Try chopping the fruits into salsa, skewering and grilling, or use it as an edible garnish over desserts and parfaits. Rubyglow® pineapples can also be stir-fried, lightly grilled, or caramelized in savory or sweet cooked preparations. The sweet taste of the flesh often complements grain-based dishes and roasted meats. Beyond culinary preparations, Rubyglow® pineapples can be blended and frozen into cocktails and smoothies or juiced for punches and various beverages. Rubyglow® pineapples pair well with fruits such as strawberries, mangoes, and coconut, herbs including mint, rosemary, cilantro, and basil, bell peppers, and meats such as fish, poultry, beef, and pork. Whole Rubyglow® pineapples will keep at room temperature for a few days and in the refrigerator for around one week. Sliced fruit pieces will keep for 1 to 3 days when stored in a sealed container in the fridge.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Rubyglow® pineapples debuted in China during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The red-skinned and gold-fleshed fruits were Del Monte’s first pineapple introduction into Chinese markets in January 2024. The variety’s official release coincided with the Lunar New Year, as the pineapple’s unique coloring is the same as the auspicious colors traditionally seen during the annual celebration. The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year in China, is a time when gifts are given to friends, family, and coworkers. Pineapples are a symbol of fortune, prosperity, and wealth and are often used as decorations during the holiday. The Chinese name for pineapple, “ong lai,” sounds similar to the phrase “incoming fortune” or “wealth, come” in the Hokkien dialect. Beyond pineapples, red and gold-colored decorations are revered during the Lunar New Year as they represent energy, luck, and prosperity. The color red is connected to an ancient Chinese legend. Every New Year's Eve, a monster known as Nian would come to villages and consume people and crops. Red, along with firecrackers, was the only thing to scare the monster, leading to the color red being a prevalent New Year’s Eve pigment. Gold signifies the color of money and wealth. Decorating homes and businesses in red and gold is said to welcome success. Rubyglow® pineapples embody the essence of the Lunar New Year, as it contains both red and gold hues, and the festive fruit was positioned as a decoration, gift, and premium food.
Geography/History
Rubyglow® pineapples are exclusively developed and cultivated by Del Monte Fresh Produce, a global producer, marketer, and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. The variety was commercially produced near the city of Buenos Aires in the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica, and it takes two years to grow the pineapples. Rubyglow® pineapples were created from a natural cross between a traditional pineapple variety and Morada pineapples, an inedible cultivar from Venezuela and Colombia in the early 21st century. After breeding, the new variety was evaluated, trialed, and studied for over fifteen years before it was selected for commercial release. Rubyglow® pineapples were first launched in China in January 2024 and were later introduced to the United States in May 2024. Today, Rubyglow® pineapples are solely grown in Costa Rica and sold in the United States and China. The variety is only produced in limited quantities and is challenging to find, as there are several waiting lists for purchasing the fruits.
