M&S shoppers divided as 'rare' £3 'hybrid' summer item is back

Some people shopping in Marks and Spencer this week might have had a double-take in the fruit section over an item that isn't seen very often in British supermarkets. Fusing two unlikely items together into one 'rare' fruit has shoppers divided.

It was spotted in an M&S Food Hall by Facebook user Daniel who runs the Snack Reviews group. He wrote: "New from M&S, the Limelon. Looks like a melon and tastes like a lime had a tropical holiday."

Due to its popularity, the melon was available last summer (2024) has returned once again in 2025. The £3 fruit can be bought in-store or added to online orders through Ocado.

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The store claimed the fruit was "deliciously refreshing and tangy" with "a zesty touch of lime". M&S bosses suggested it would be "perfect for snacking on or serving with yoghurt for breakfast".

People were torn over the fruit that had been fused together. Some felt like the fruity treat was "delicious" and were raving about its return. However, a handful refused to put it on their shopping list, claiming the crossbreed sounded "vile".

One said: "Would love this. I eat lemons and limes like they are oranges!" Another added: "I'm intrigued!" A third wrote: "I love them! I got a pack of two from Costco a couple of weeks ago for £5.99 but they were tiny! Need to get to M&S!"

Someone else put: "They are disgusting!" And, one more commented: "Tried this is Costco once - sour like a lime but tastes like a melon. Very strange, one bite was enough!"

M&S is no stranger to releasing unusual types of produce like the Limelon. In recent years, the supermarket has given shoppers the Papple (a pear crossed with an apple) and white strawberries that were said to taste of pineapple.

What exactly is a limelon?

Limelon melons are small fruits with a uniform, round shape and a bright surface that hides a pale green, juicy flesh with tan seeds at the centre. They are currently grown in Murcia, Spain, and trials are taking place in other countries, including Israel and Costa Rica, to help achieve year-round production.

According to Speciality Produce, the limelon has a "complex flavour". Describing what shoppers could expect when cutting into the fusion fruit, a spokesperson wrote that the initial taste is "sweet, floral, and subtly fruity". They add: "In combination with the sweet taste, the melon's flavour also encompasses acidic, zesty, and tangy notes with lime undertones, creating a balanced, bright flavour profile".