Rare fruits set to tempt shoppers' tastebuds
A rare variety of red-fleshed apples grown in Tenbury Wells will go on sale to UK shoppers for the first time next week.
The 'Raspberry Ripple' apples, so called because of their unusual appearance, will hit the shelves at a small number of Tesco shops next week, including the branch in Ledbury.
They have been grown by fruit tree nursery Frank Matthews Ltd, based at Berrington Court in Tenbury.
Tesco hopes trial sales of the 'stunning' apple will pave the way for the Raspberry Ripple to be sold across a wider area next year.
The naturally-occurring variety was discovered by chance growing in an orchard near Hereford nine years ago and has been developed by experts at Frank Matthews.
The nursery was contacted almost a decade ago by a local grower who informed them he had an extremely rare red-fleshed apple and cuttings were then cultivated.
Nick Dunne, owner of the fruit nursery, said: "When I first saw the red flesh I thought right away that this could be big news in the apple industry and that has been borne out by the interest we are now getting from growers around the country.
"Tesco will have the first batch to ever go on sale in the UK and we hope that if they are well received by shoppers that we could establish the variety as a top-seller very soon."
Tesco apple buyer, Gill Getty, said the Raspberry Ripple was a fantastic addition to Tesco's existing range of 21 British apple varieties.
She added: "Not only do they look amazing but, as the name implies, they have a hint of a raspberry."
