Last
call - Rio Star grapefruit recipe challenge
Home
cooks and professionals vie for cash during National Grapefruit
Month
MISSION,
TEXAS - Each year, February is celebrated as American
Heart Month, Sweet Potato Month, National Cherry Month, Fabulous
Florida Strawberry Month and National Grapefruit Month among
many other special events.
What
do these colorful orange and red foods have in common? They
(and other richly-colored fruits and vegetables) are recognized
and appreciated like never before for their positive contributions
to heart-healthy diets and positive lifestyles – perfect
choices to honor American Heart Month.
The
producers of Texas Rio Star grapefruit are celebrating grapefruit
month by sponsoring a national recipe contest for consumers
and professional cooks in the US and Canada. A total of $5,000
in prize money has been allocated to contest winners.
The objective is to call greater awareness regarding the versatility
of Rio Star, a unique variety of grapefruit. It’s not
just for breakfast anymore.
The
deadline for recipe entries is February 15.
Rules and a contest entry form may be found at www.riostarchallenge.com.
The co-sponsor of the Rio Star Grapefruit Challenge
is Taste
of the South magazine.
“From
selecting the freshest fruits and vegetables to learning from
the region's outstanding chefs, loyal Taste of the South readers
from all states tell us the topics found in this culinary-focused
magazine make it an indispensable kitchen reference,”
said the magazine’s editor, Lorna Reeves.
“We
are honored to partner with the professional staff of Taste
of the South magazine for our first recipe contest. Their expertise
and dedication to high quality are a compliment to the citrus
growers in Texas,” said Eleisha Ensign, executive director
and spokesperson for TexaSweet
Citrus Marketing.
“The
support of Taste of the South is definitely driving interest.
We’ve received several hundred recipe entries so far and
are anticipating a last-minute rush to meet the cut-off-date.
It seems some of us need the pressure of a deadline to follow
through, whether it’s for a recipe contest or turning
in an income tax return,” Ensign continued.
Contest
entry forms and rules may be requested
by writing to Texas Rio Star Grapefruit Challenge,
901 Business Park Drive, Ste. 100, Mission, Texas 78572. Enclose
a self-addressed-stamped envelope.
Rio
Star grapefruit is a variety that combines the two reddest varieties
– Rio Red and Star Ruby. It has an overall blush on the
exterior peel with a deep red interior color that is seven to
10 times redder than the Ruby Red.
Rio
Star is in the marketplace from October through May. The peak
months of the season are February, March and April. It is distributed
nationally and exported to Canada and other countries each season.
Each
piece of fruit will display a Rio Star sticker ensuring its
authenticity. Grapefruit that feels heavy for its size signals
that it contains a lot of juice. “Tropical Beauty Marks,”
or blemishes on the outer rind, are caused by gentle breezes,
common in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. These blemishes do not
affect the quality and flavor of the fruit inside.
“The
Rio Star variety is very red, sweet and juicy. Grapefruit lovers
look forward to seeing Rio Star in local stores each winter.
These grapefruit are 10 times redder than the well-known, Ruby
Red variety, ” said Ensign.
Rio
Star grapefruit is grown exclusively in the southern-most tip
of Texas. It is tree-ripened and handpicked to ensure superior
quality throughout the season.
This
specialty grapefruit is grown exclusively in the southern-most
tip of Texas - the Rio Grande Valley - where warm tropical breezes
and a temperate climate offer excellent growing conditions.
Texas citrus is tree-ripened and handpicked to ensure superior
quality throughout the season. Rio Star grapefruit is distributed
nationally and exported to Canada and other countries each season
from October through May.
ww.texasweet.com.
