Since the middle of the 19th century states such as Texas began to adopt their own official state symbols. A state symbol can come in the form of state animals, mammals, a state bird and flower, fruits, vegetables, amphibians, nicknames, state seals, and many more.
State symbols were adopted by states to best represent them and their historical roots, and past and present successes. Like all other states, there are many Texas state symbols.
What is the Official State Fruit of Texas?
The state fruit of Texas is the red grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi). The red grapefruit became the official state fruit of Texas back in 1993. Grapefruit is one of the newest members of the citrus fruit family, being originally discovered in the 1750s.
What makes grapefruit so unique and also significant to the United States is that they are the only citrus fruit to originate from the Americas, they are a cross between the pomelo and the orange, which were both brought over to America through the Spanish settlers.
The people of Texas have been growing grapefruit in the Rio Grande Valley for an estimated 100 years. It was during 1929 when a mutation occurred on a single tree, later producing the infamous Texas Ruby Red. Per year, Texas produces an estimated 6 million-plus boxes of grapefruit!
There isn’t just the Texas Ruby grapefruit and the normal grapefruit, there are actually many different variations. These variations include white, red, pomelo (pummelo), minneola (a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit), and sweeties (a cross between the pomelo and white grapefruit). The Texas state fruit truly represents the state in more ways than one.
Most states will have their symbols showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Lone Star State puts its history and what it stands for across very well in the Texas state fruit. This interesting fact about Texas and a whole host of others are what makes the state so unique and fascinating to those that live there or are researching the historical events of the state.
