Pear/apple hybrid 'papple' coming to U.K.

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LONDON, May 18 (UPI) -- A fruit that looks and tastes like an apple but with the skin and texture of a pear will go on sale in Britain, luxury food retailer Marks and Spencer says.

The hybrid fruit is so new it doesn't have an official name yet, although Marks and Spencer has dubbed it a "papple," Sky News reported Friday.

"This is one of the most exciting new varieties of fruit we have seen for several years," M&S fruit expert Shazad Rehman said.

"We know our customers like to try new and interesting fruit and we hope this will be something they will really enjoy."

The fruit, a cross between European and Asian pear varieties that resulted a hybrid similar to an apple, is grown in New Zealand.

Marks and Spenser said it hopes to begin growing the hybrid fruit in England in 2015.

The fruit will be available in the company's stores next week and will sell for $1.50 each.