Square-like peaches introduced 

An Otago orchardist is introducing a square-like peach with a flat top and bottom into the New Zealand fruit market.

Interestingly, the square peach is not a new variety of fruit; rather it is one of the oldest varieties that have ever existed of peach and they originated in China.

Kevin Paulin, the South Otago orchardist introducing the Flatto Peach variety, says that the earliest original peaches were not circular at all - in fact they had flat bottoms and tops.

"We've often had people saying ooo they're a funny looking shape," says Paulin.

The Flatto Peach is just into its second harvest in New Zealand, but has grown across Asia and China for hundreds of years.

In fact, they are even mentioned in Chinese literature where emperors considered them to be quite a special fruit even then, according to Paulin.

Paulin started growing them for their flavour but the funny shape he reckons adds to the appeal as it fits easily into lunch boxes and will not roll around.

"Obviously they don't like rolling, so they won't roll down conveyors and they won't roll onto graders and things like that," says Paulin.

Paulin, a third generation fruit grower, says has never had so much interest for his produce from the public before.

"I've never ever had before emails and faxes from people," says Paulin.

While the Flatto Peach clearly does not fit the mould of a traditional central Otago fruit, the big gamble will be weather people will get past the look and give it a try.

Luckily for Paulin, the few who have tasted the peach think they are really juicy and tasty and the fruit could be coming soon all the way from Central Otago to a market close to the average Kiwi.