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One-in-a-million apple with two colors draws crowds in New Zealand

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A rare half-red, half-yellow apple has attracted significant public attention at a New Zealand store.
  • The unusual fruit, known as a chimera apple, resulted from a genetic mutation and occurs in less than one in a million cases.
  • The apple has become a local attraction, with many visitors taking photos and some even touching it for good luck.

A peculiar apple, exhibiting a striking division of red on one side and yellow on the other, has become a local sensation at the Sunshine Corner Market in Christchurch, New Zealand. This rare 'chimera apple,' a result of a genetic mutation where the fruit develops from two distinct genetic backgrounds, is estimated to occur in fewer than one in a million cases.

The unique fruit was discovered among a delivery of Red Braeburn apples in mid-May. Store owner Heather described the apple as a local celebrity, noting that "People have gone home, told their other half, and they haven’t believed them, so they’ve come back with them." She added that "Lots of people are really excited and have taken photos of it - it’s just captured people’s imagination."

People have gone home, told their other half, and they haven’t believed them, so they’ve come back with them. Lots of people are really excited and have taken photos of it - it’s just captured people’s imagination.

— HeatherThe store's owner describes the public's reaction to the unique apple.

Heather, who has been in the produce business for a long time, stated this was the first time she had encountered such a chimera apple. The unusual fruit has even inspired some visitors to touch it for good luck before entering contests. The store is currently keeping the apple refrigerated to extend its shelf life while deciding whether to preserve it or cut it open to reveal its interior.

We’ve been in the game a long time, never seen one like it.

— HeatherThe owner expresses her surprise at finding the chimera apple.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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