Rare orange flesh watermelon hit UK shelves for the first time
28th August 2024
Tesco has recently announced that rare orange flesh watermelons are set to hit UK store shelves.
The watermelons, which are much sweeter than the red equivalent, will be exclusively sold by the retailer, Tesco confirmed.
The variety, which is grown in Spain, is new although it is a hybrid derived from old heirloom types.
Tesco fruit technical manager and melon growing expert James Cackett has spent the last 18 years working with seed houses in order to find exciting new and rare varieties for shoppers to enjoy.
New variety on UK market
Mr Cackett said: “Not only do the wonderful orange flesh watermelons taste fantastic, but they are also great showstoppers and are guaranteed to turn heads and be talking points when served at BBQs and garden parties.
“While the variety is not new, this is the first time that they have ever been commercially grown for sale in the UK.”
Tesco currently sells the following varieties of melon: yellow honeydew, watermelon, giant watermelon, mini watermelon, yellow watermelon, galia, cantaloupe, piel de sapo, sunkiss and sweet snowball.
Watermelons are also now grown in the UK and last year the supermarket’s British supplier, Oakley Farms, based near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, grew 11,000 fruits, which marks the largest amount of watermelons ever grown in Britain.
The new orange flesh watermelon is set to go on sale in more than 140 Tesco stores across the UK and will cost £4 each.
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