Fruit size is commonly used as a promotional tool, but it doesn’t work for all categories.
It seldom appears to enhance grapes. Lidl, however, refers to Spanish-grown seeded Red Globe at £2.29 for 700g as a speciality “giant”, described as premium quality by Frutas Esther, one of the many brands on its shelves.
Another way to attract attention is mixed colours, and Waitrose has a triple 600g pack featuring Spanish Crimson, Portuguese Autumn Royal and Israeli Thompson for £3.49.
Grapes also appear in the numerous combinations of snack packs found in store. One combination available at Asda for £1 has apples (53 per cent), grapes (27 per cent) and more unusually, cheese (20 per cent).
Meanwhile, one wonders whether climate change is moving faster than envisaged, based on the evidence that Marks & Spencer is selling baby UK-grown watermelons, although a taste is hardly cheap at £3.49 each. Additionally, it is stocking Romanesco, the bright green cauliflower-type brassica with its pointed curd structure more normally associated with the sunny Mediterranean, which is making an appearance from UK farms at 99p each.
Another indication that temperatures are rising comes from the Netherlands. Fruit World Breda is supplying Asda with Limited Edition Kiwi Berries, at £2 for 125g. Also known as kiwai or arguta, they have made brief appearances in the UK, mainly from Chile.
Away from exotics, baked potatoes are very much part of the UK diet, now specifically identified in their own packs and with their own brands. This may be common sense as it means easier selection and a touch of added value, but with so many new varieties claiming superiority a reasonable question is, what are considered the best to fulfil culinary expectations? Asda, for example, has Maritiema grown in Norfolk under its Aspire sub-brand at £1.97 for 2kg, carrying the message that they are “specially selected for size and fuller flavour”. On the same shelf, own label bakers Saxon and Harmony are £1.78 for 2.5kg.
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