Waitrose is bringing back the rare strawberry lookalike, the pineberry, by popular demand.
The pineberry has the same genetic makeup as a traditional strawberry, while being much smaller, white and covered in red pips.
Originating in South America, the pineberry was bred from a wild strawberry by Dutch farmers when it was threated by extinction. The fruit begins life as a green berry, much like strawberries, and then turn slightly white.
Growers know they are ripe when the deep lying seeds turn dark red. Each berry measures between 15 to 23 mm, and are grown in glasshouses on coir like their red rivals.
Waitrose is the only supermarket to have ever sold pineberries in the UK and they will be available in 43 stores nationwide for the next six weeks, at £4.00 for 100g.
Nicki Baggott, soft fruit buyer for Waitrose & Partners, says: “It’s been nearly ten years since we launched Pineberries in our range. Our growers have been working to improve the variety by offering slightly larger sized berries with an improved taste and an increased shelf-life. I’m sure our customers will be thrilled to see these delightful little berries back on our shelves.”
