The Swiss gardener Markus Kobert managed to achieve what Michurin did not manage to accomplish: crossing apples and tomatoes. As a result, the breeder brought out a new type of apples with red juicy pulp
In their color and texture, they resemble tomatoes, but grow on familiar apple trees. It is noted that the new type of apples has a delicate taste and a slight hint of wild berries. At the same time, the fruits are distinguished by a high content of antioxidants, writes the British newspaper The Daily Mail.
Apples do not lose their "tomato" color even after heat or other processing. In addition, their slices do not darken, unlike ordinary apples, so they are more convenient to use in a salad.
Cobert has been developing this variety for 20 years. The first cuttings of the variety, dubbed Redlove, have already gone on sale in the UK. They are in high demand from manufacturers. The exclusive right to sell the cuttings was given to the breeding company Suttons. Its representative, Tom Sherples, assured that the new variety was bred as a result of a natural selection process and no genetic modifications were made. The trees on which these apples are grown are placed in special tunnels: in the open air they could be pollinated by bees, bringing pollen of other varieties.
Two varieties have been developed: Era is to be harvested from September and can be stored until the end of the year, and Sirena ripens in August and is stored until October.
In addition to fruits, the trees grafted with the new variety produce beautiful dark pink flowers in the spring.
The new "British" varieties of "tomato apples" are expected to hit local stores in the next two years. Shoots are on sale now and cost almost £ 25 each