The drive by the multiples to portray even the most humble vegetables as something different - and in so doing elevate their various offers into the added-value arena - continues apace.

Take the carrot, for example, which began with the identification of Chantenay. Since then there has been the arrival of various colours, which Marks & Spencer is now identifying by variety names. In its Limited Edition range there is now Sweet Candle, which is the traditional orange hue in a mixed pack at £1.49 for 500g, together with Yellow Bunch. Both are grown in Scotland.

Tesco is on the same path with Imperator in its Finest range at £1.20 for 450g, with potential customers also informed that these are grown on sandy soils.

Potatoes are also constantly upgraded, with both small and large carry-home packs. Waitrose is highlighting its Heritage range grown by Russell Burgess, whose name appears on a perforated 1kg Kraft bag, with Shetland Black at £1.59.

It will be interesting to see if the widening range of brassicas eventually get a similar uplift. The latest indications of choice are reflected at Morrisons, where Oriental Spinach and Bull’s Blood Leaf are being sold loose at 99p a bunch, while the Thai range has been expanded to include Kow Choi at £2.49 for 200g and Gia Lan - similar to broccoli - at 90p for 100g.

As far as fruit is concerned, Colombian physalis is presented in a Don Limon-branded punnet at 89p for 100g.

Many descriptions of the various prepared salad packs are similar, but Tesco has created a very distinct point of difference in its new Explore range with associated dressing with the contents identified by country or region. All at £1.75, there is a North Africa mix (150g) and arrivals from Italy, Asia and Mexico.

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