The first ever commercially grown British melons - from Essex - are to go on sale in Tesco.
Three varieties - cantaloupe, Galia, and Piel de Sapo - have been produced in Thorrington, near Colchester, by grower David Edwards.
The melons are the latest in a rapidly expanding number of unusual UK-grown produce such as chillies, peppers, lemongrass and aubergines.
Tesco prepared fruit buyer Susanna Leung said: “Contrary to what one might expect from melons grown in England, they are juicy, tender and sweet. Unless they were told, people would naturally assume the melons came from Spain or other parts of the world, and not the heart of Essex.
“The arrival of these melons is great news and hopefully could encourage other British farmers to consider growing equally adventurous produce.”
Edwards, whose Essex family farm business has been producing lettuce since 1928, started growing melons last year following a bet from one of his customers.
But the initial results of the private trial were so good that Edwards decided to grow them on a commercial scale this year.
The melon plants were seeded locally and allowed to grow into small plants before being re-planted by Edwards, some in greenhouses and some in polytunnels.
He has grown 4,000 plants in 11,000 square metre area, which should yield about 32,000 melons.
Edwards said: “Melons are quite easy to grow, although you have to be careful that you don’t get too much leaf growth instead of fruit. I learnt from growing the first batch last year and these ones grew just right.
“Most people who see them here just stop dead in their tracks because they are probably the last thing you’d expect to see growing in Essex. Some of them are already as big as rugby balls.”
Sales of Cantaloupe, Galia and Piel da Sapo - the UK’s favourite melons - are growing by 33 per cent year on year, according to independent retail analyst TNS. The UK melon market is worth £107.6 million a year.
Susanna Leung at Tesco added: “Melons are extremely popular right now and, if demand is a strong as we think, then we will be making sure we get an even bigger supply next year.”
The fruit is being sold as prepared melon pieces, priced at £1.99 for a 400g carton.
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