Budgens is offering finger limes - also known as citrus caviar - in one of its stores this Christmas.

The Australian-grown exotic fruit, which has pearl-like flesh, went on sale in the Budgens of Islington store in London this week, priced at £4.99 for a 100g punnet.

Supplier IVG White said the citrus caviar was currently produced only in small quantities by niche growers. “We’re extremely excited to supply this new fruit to Budgens for the first time. It will certainly make Christmas special for shoppers in Islington,” a spokesman said.

Store owner Paul Gardner added the pearls worked well with Champagne and is running a half-price bubbly offer to promote the fruit.