Rare orange flesh watermelon to hit UK high streets for the first time

Rare orange flesh watermelons - instead of the usual red – will go on sale for the first time ever on British high streets.

The watermelons, which are much sweeter than the red equivalent, will be exclusively sold by Tesco.

The variety, which is grown in Spain, is new although it is a hybrid derived from old heirloom types.

Tesco fruit technical manager and melon growing expert James Cackett has spent the last 18 years working with seed houses in order to find exciting new and rare varieties for shoppers to enjoy. 

James Cackett said:

“Not only do the wonderful orange flesh watermelons taste fantastic, but they are also great showstoppers and are guaranteed to turn heads and be talking points when served at BBQs and garden parties.

“While the variety is not new, this is the first time that they have ever been commercially grown for sale in the UK.”

In recent years Tesco has worked closely with its melon suppliers to bring new varieties to the UK for the first time including:

• Sweet Snowball – super sweet and distinctive because of its white flesh and very pale green, flecked skin
• Finest Sunkiss – a variety of the Honeydew family with pale orange flesh  

Tesco sells the following varieties of melon: Yellow Honeydew; Watermelon; Giant Watermelon; Mini Watermelon; Yellow Watermelon; Galia; Cantaloupe; Piel De Sapo; Sunkiss; and Sweet Snowball.

Watermelons are also now grown in the UK and last year the supermarket’s British supplier, Oakley Farms, based near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, grew an incredible 11,000 – the largest amount ever grown in Britain. 

The new orange flesh watermelon will go on sale in more than 140 Tesco stores across the UK and will cost £4 each.