Ever eyed a juicy pineapple in the supermarket and thought it could do with a spot more color? While that's not likely, Fresh Del Monte, the global fruit titan, has nevertheless innovated the Rubyglow, a distinctive pineapple that boasts a red shell and deliciously sweet yellow flesh. Now, for the first time, the Rubyglow is available to consumers in the U.S. market.

This exclusive pineapple first made waves in January of this year when it premiered in China. Timed to hit shelves just as Lunar New Year celebrations were kicking off, it marked Del Monte's groundbreaking entrance into the Chinese market.

Now, referred to by Del Monte as the "creme de la creme of pineapples", the Rubyglow is on sale at certain grocers nationwide and digitally through high-end produce vendors. Don't anticipate it being a bargain. These niche 'designer' fruits, aimed at luxury consumers, cost a pretty penny. The suggested retail price is left to the discretion of individual retailers, but some pundits estimate a price tag of $125 for those willing to join the international waitlist. Melissa’s Produce is already offering it for a whopping $396. Shipping without its crown, each fruit comes individually boxed in a lavish package designed like origami.

"Carving out our spot as global leaders in the pineapple market, our dedicated scientists keep innovating with new pineapple varieties, enhancing flavors and hues, and expanding our global consumer base," Fresh Del Monte CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh stated in the press release.

But what justifies the Rubyglow’s substantial price tag? Just like haute couture, it’s a case of supply and demand. The release shares that only 5,000 Rubyglows will be grown this year, dropping to 3,000 in 2025. This patented breed, a cross between the good ol' pineapple and the rarer Morada pineapple, is exclusively cultivated in Costa Rica. Del Monte keeps the complexities of the cultivation process under wraps. Consequently, it remains uncertain whether the scarcity of seeds is driving the high price or if artificial scarcity has been chosen to drive up its value – maybe even both. Setting aside the speculation, it's a culinary project fifteen years in the making.

For Fresh Del Monte, innovation is part of the brand's DNA. Earlier this year, they launched the personal-sized Precious Honeyglow pineapple, a perfect single-serve fruit option with a sweeter profile. This was introduced as part of their initiative to combat household food waste. At the other end of the spectrum, we saw the release of the Grandissimo Gold pineapples in 2022. Claimed to be doubly sweet compared to traditional offerings, the size of these fruits invite fun culinary explorations.

Color has always excited Del Monte. Remember the Pinkglow pineapples from 2020? Those fruits were a mirror image of Rubyglows-ordinary shells but vibrant pink interiors.

Echoing their ongoing commitment towards sustainability, all Del Monte wares, including the Rubyglow, uphold sustainable agricultural and transportation practices.

Ultimately, the only question is…are you willing to splurge on this exotic fruit?