Tesco has developed a new hybrid fruit in response to a decline in the production of traditional satsumas.
Prompted by the preference of the European markets, growers in Spain and Morocco have been cutting back on producing the unseeded fruits but they are preferred by Brits reported The Evening Standard.
The supermarket giant has responded by working with suppliers to cultivate a new hybrid ‘mandarin’ which has fewer pips.
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The UK’s largest retailer nows sells the Meiravit, Havva, Orit and Sigal varieties. Alongside having fewer pips, they also boast a longer shelf life, more vibrant colour and more aromatic.
The new development follows a surge in the popularity of Mandarin hybrids, which last year saw Tesco shoppers purchase almost twice as many as in 2017.
Tesco citrus fruit technical manager James Cackett said: “What caused all this to happen is that traditionally the European market preferred clementines, which are seeded, while we in the UK prefer satsumas, which are unseeded.
“This has been a long-standing quality improvement programme and we’ve been working with our suppliers and Spanish and Moroccan growers to make sure we get fruit that’s perfect for our customers.”
