'Valentine' is a recently released variety from the University of California, Riverside. According to Siebert et al (2010): "'Valentine' is the most promising of the seedy pigmented low-acid pummelo hybrids selected by Drs. Soost and Cameron in 1986 from a cross of 'Siamese Sweet' pummelo x ('Ruby' blood orange x 'Dancy' mandarin). It received its name from former Staff Research Associate for the Citrus Variety Collection Ottillia "Toots" Bier, who nicknamed it 'Valentine' not only because the fruit matures in mid-February near the Valentine's Day holiday, but also because often when the fruit is cut lengthwise and turned upside down, the flesh of the fruit resembles a vibrant red heart. 'Valentine' fruits are round to somewhat pyriform (pear-shaped). The average fruit size is large with a mean width of 10.8 cm (4.25 inches) and a height (including the neck) of 11.0 cm (4.33 inches). The mean weight per fruit is 531.1 grams (18.7 ounces). Rind color is medium to dark yellow. The rind texture is moderately smooth with a mean thickness of 8.8 mm (0.35 inches). Fruit samples from Lindcove generally have a thicker rind than samples from Riverside. The number of seeds per fruit averages 27.6. However, the mean number of seeds per fruit among 36 different 10-fruit samples ranged from 2.6 seeds per fruit to 51 seeds per fruit. The mean juice weight is 201.8 grams (7.1 ounces) and the average juice content is 38.6%. The red flesh color of 'Valentine' can be somewhat variable in its distribution and intensity inside the fruit. Color formation first appears in mid-January and becomes more intense in early to mid February when the solids to acid ratio is an average of 16:1."
More extensive information on the history and characteristics of this variety as well as high quality images are available in Siebert et al (2009) and from the UCR Citrus Variety Collection. (RR Krueger, 10/04/2009, rev 06/11/2010)