Square watermelons are set to hit Tesco stores across the UK in October.
The cuboid melons, grown in wooden boxes with transparent sides to form their angular shape, are being grown in Brazil by one of Tesco’s regular suppliers and take 60 days to reach maturity.
The size and shape of conventional round melons may be a barrier to sales, according to Tesco buyers.
Damien Sutherland, Tesco exotic fruit buyer, said: “These square melons will make it easier than ever to eat because they can be served in long strips rather than in the crescent shape.
“We’ve seen samples of these watermelons and they literally stop you in your tracks because they are so eye-catching.”
Square melons are already available in Japan where they are sold for around 10,000 yen, about £46, each.
“That’s absolutely extortionate and although extra work goes into growing these, that vastly inflated price cannot be justified,” said Sutherland. “Our ones will cost less than a fiver.
“We believe that demand will grow even more once people see these melons. The square melon could become even more popular than the round ones.”
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