Stunning tasting strawberry and tropical fruit flavoured grapes are to go on sale across the UK. The naturally produced varieties have been grown to add excitement to the UK’s grape market which is one of the fastest growing of all fruit. In the last year sales of grapes across all retailers have grown by more than four percent, just behind figs and dates. Their increasing popularity is down to a boom in healthy snacking foods such as berries, nuts and cherry tomatoes plus a switch from traditional snacks.
Tesco grape buyer Gethyn Formby said: “There are many different varieties of grape but over the last 50 years growers have concentrated on ones which they know are popular. “What the developers have done is find less common species and cross those to come up with these new exciting flavours. We think these naturally produced grapes will appeal to shoppers who like the texture of a grape but the sweet taste of a berry.”
Tesco grape buyer Gethyn Formby said: “There are many different varieties of grape but over the last 50 years growers have concentrated on ones which they know are popular. “What the developers have done is find less common species and cross those to come up with these new exciting flavours. We think these naturally produced grapes will appeal to shoppers who like the texture of a grape but the sweet taste of a berry.”
These varieties, perfect for lunch boxes and snacks have been created through the centuries-old process of hybridisation, taking pollen from one plant and brushing it onto another plant. The grapes have been commercially available in limited quantities since 2011, and the response in America has been so positive, that this year production has been increased from just two acres to 100 acres this year, with 200 acres already planted for 2014.
Other varieties that should be ready for the UK market next year include grapes that taste like mangos and lychees. The new varieties are being sold as K2 (tropical) which is green with a red blush and Strawberry which is red.
The flavoured grapes are available in 150 Tesco stores nationwide and cost £2 for 400g.
