Plan B Forum

In what is believed to be a world first, Queensland researchers have created a new variety of pineapple with a coconut flavour.

The Department of Agriculture's research station on the state's Sunshine Coast has been working on the new breed of pineapple for more than a decade.

Senior horticulturalist Garth Senewski says the AusFestival pineapple is now in the final stages of production.

"It's currently being multipled by our commercial development partner," he said.

"It usually takes about 10 years to commercialise a new variety."

He says its unique taste should prove popular with consumers.

"Taste tests tell us that AusFestival is a winner - it has this lovely coconut flavour, which you won't find in any other pineapple in Australia," he said.

"It's sweet, low acid, very juicy."

But he says researchers did not set out to create a coconut flavour.

"When we're doing the breeding, we're not actually looking for a coconut-flavoured pineapple or any other particular flavour," he said.

"We're looking for a nice flavoured pineapple.

"We're looking for a variety that is sweet, low acid and aromatic."

It will be another two years before AusFestival is commercially available.