Red-fleshed kiwifruit go on sale exclusively at Tesco this week. China Red is being imported by Primafruit in very small volumes and was discovered growing naturally in a remote region of China.
The fruit is sweeter and less hairy than green variety Hayward but of a similar size and shape. Tesco is already planning to sell a traffic light pack of red, green and golden fruit next year.
The season will last just two weeks this year and it is being sold in 65 of Tesco’s larger stores around the country with plans to increase availability in 2005.
Said Tesco kiwifruit buyer Ann Wells: "This is quite a discovery because the China Red is much sweeter than the traditional green kiwi and could help encourage more people to eat one of the healthiest of fruits.
"Most importantly though it could introduce kids to the fruit for the first time which should appeal to parents since kiwis are packed with far more vitamin C than an orange.
"We know from research that kiwis are more an acquired taste than other fruit such as apples, pears and bananas and because of their tanginess they appeal more to adults than children.
"The arrival of the China Red may change that and may make them a favourite with youngsters."
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