Time was when an ugli fruit was a mottled green and yellow citrus fruit that is a hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine, obtained from the tree Citrus × tangelo.

But those days are no more! Great news for ugly fruit and veg – they’ve made the grade on UK supermarket shelves. Following the worst harvest in decades, Sainsbury’s has relaxed its rules on the cosmetic appearance of fresh produce (regular shaped, blemish free) and other supermarkets are considering following suit. Ugly fruit and veg are where it’s at. The driest March in 59 years, followed by the wettest June and autumn storms and flooding have reduced British fruit and vegetable harvests by more than 25% and the meagre crops are subject to increased blemishes and scarring.

“This may mean a bit more mud on peas or strawberries that are a little smaller than usual, but our customers understand and love the idea.” Said Judith Batchelar, Director of Sainsbury’s Food.

Sainsbury’s and others who follow in its footsteps are making virtue out of necessity but the hot trends in food and beverage all point to this being a success: purity, authenticity and sustainability. Buying ugly British fruit and veg, now how more natural, green and local can you get?