Featuring a deep-red outer shell, bright-yellow flesh, and a distinct sweet flavor, Rubyglow pineapples are a new variety of the popular tropical fruit and, as the company claims, the most exclusive high-end pineapple offered by Fresh Del Monte.

Grown in Costa Rica after a 15-year development period, the Rubyglow pineapple has a registered plant patent in the United States. It's a cross between a traditional pineapple and a Morada variety, producing a hybrid¹ fruit through traditional cross-breeding techniques. It takes two years to grow each Rubyglow pineapple, which is then naturally ripened² on the plant and sold crownless in “elegantly” designed packaging. According to the company, this complicated and time-consuming cultivation⁴ cycle – coupled with limited seed supply – are the reasons for the scarcity⁵ of Rubyglow pineapples in the U.S. market and globally. Fresh Del Monte is offering these pineapples as an ultra-premium luxury “designer” fruit that it said appeals to high-end consumers.

In March, Fresh Del Monte partnered with specialty⁶ distributor Melissa’s Produce to create a petite fresh pineapple that weighs less than 2 pounds and was designed to reduce food waste by giving shoppers better sizing options. The new personal-sized pineapple is part of Fresh Del Monte’s Honeyglow line, which promises a sweeter taste than traditional pineapples, because they’re left to mature and ripen³ on the plant for a few extra days.