U.K. food retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has begun selling a stoneless avocado, which is reported to be just 5cm-8cm (2in-3in) in length and can be sliced or eaten whole. 

“We’ve had the mini, the giant, ready sliced and we’re now launching the holy grail of avocados – stoneless," said Charlotte Curtis, a food technology specialist at M&S.

"This amazing fruit has been on our radar for a couple of years and we’re very excited to have finally been able to get hold of some for our customers to try.”

The slimmer fruit is the result of an unpollinated blossom and develops without a seed. It is grown in Spain and currently only available during December.

M&S said stoneless avocados were usually sent to Paris, where chefs use them in high-end restaurants, but the retailer had managed to source a limited supply this year.

Curtis said she expected them to sell out quickly, adding: “My top tip is to try them deep fried.”

Over the summer, supermarket Tesco briefly sold an avocado weighing about 70g and nearly one-third of the usual size.

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