Waitrose celebrated the official start of British summer time in style last weekend by becoming the first UK retailer to launch the Strasberry.
The unusual fruit has the genetic make-up of a strawberry, but its small size and deeply positioned seeds give it the appearance of a strawberry-raspberry hybrid.
Originally a wild strawberry species, the berry was on the verge of extinction before a Dutch grower rediscovered it seven years ago.
The Strasberry will be available in 17 London Waitrose branches until late June/early July. The fruit has already enjoyed a renaissance in mainland Europe.
Nicki Baggott, Waitrose fruit buyer, said: “The Strasberry is a very versatile product which brings the best tastes of summertime and a very pretty appearance to the pudding menu. As the summer unfolds, we won’t be surprised to hear that our customers are inviting their friends over for Strasberry daiquiris, pavlovas or serving them up with cream.”
Waitrose has a history of working with suppliers to restore heritage varieties to their glory days. Past successes include the revival of apple varieties including the Lord Lambourne, the Laxton Superb, the Suffolk Pink, the Delbard d’Estivalle and the Worcester Pearman, and on the vegetable front, the Golden Beetroot.
The Strasberry will be added to a range that includes the Gariguette strawberry - a rural French variety dating back to the 1930s, now grown exclusively for Waitrose in the UK.
The fruit will cost £3.99 for 125g.
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