Supermarkets appear to be continually adding variations to product categories.

Fresh herbs are a case in point with Tesco introducing to its pre-packed range a Bouquet Garni at £1 for 12g, comprising flat leaf parsley, thyme, tarragon and bay leaves held together with a useful string to stop fingers being burnt.

Living salads are already popular and now we have fruit and vegetable versions. This concept surfaced some years ago when both Israel and Holland exhibited miniature cherry tomato plants. Although these failed to take off, Marks & Spencer has now come up with a Lancashire-raised growing chilli plant at £3.99.

Meanwhile, one of the more unusual prepared salad arrivals at Tesco is Rustic Regal leaves from the United States. The contents are described as Texel Green with a 60g polybag priced at £1.75, although the ticket drops away at two for £2.

Grapes are usually sold in punnets and open bags, with minimal signs of branding and the source often in small print.

But staying with products from across the Atlantic, Autumn King seedless white grape, which have been around for several years, are on sale at Morrisons at £2 for 400g.

It is not often that Spain is associated with tropical fruit, although there is a microclimate near Motril that apart from being the centre of avocado production also has the capability to raise mangoes. Morrisons has single Spanish pre-packed organic fruit on sale at £1.50 each.

Kale is increasingly fashionable, with Waitrose going a step further identifying two varieties in a single pack. Red kale and Pentland Brig comprise 80 percent with Cavolo Nero making up the balance at £1.49 for 200g. —