Waitrose brings pineberries back to its shelves
After first launching pineberries in 2010, Waitrose & Partners is once again stocking the unusual fruit due to popular demand.
The retailer says it is the only supermarket to have ever sold pineberries in the UK. Originating in South America, pineberries started life as a wild variety of strawberry but Dutch farmers started growing them on a commercial basis after the berries were threatened with extinction.
White and covered in red pips, the berries have the same genetic make-up as a traditional strawberry. However, they have a similar to taste to pineapples, hence the name.
The berries will now be available in 43 Waitrose stores nationwide for the next six weeks priced at £4 for 100g.
Nicki Baggott, soft fruit buyer for Waitrose & Partners, said: “It’s been nearly ten years since we launched Pineberries in our range. Our growers have been working to improve the variety by offering slightly larger sized berries with an improved taste and an increased shelf-life. I’m sure our customers will be thrilled to see these delightful little berries back on our shelves.”