Life is full of surprises on the produce counter. There’s nothing new about radish, but the description “French breakfast” seems to have faded into obscurity for that red/white elongated variety. It originally picked up its nickname thanks to London market porters who enjoyed a snack early morning with a glass of beer. Now they are back in favour at Morrisons with bunches at £1.29. The punchline, however, is that these are actually sourced in France!

There are also some other memories in the same store. Roscoff onions are being sold loose at £2.90/kg rather than in the strings made famous by the “Onion Johnnies” from Brittany who travelled by bicycle selling them. The retailer’s added incentive to buy nowadays is the message that apart from the pink skin and intense flavour, they do not make the consumer cry when peeled.

A product where care has to be exercised is a new mixed pack of Indian Flaming Hot Chillies at Asda for 80p/30g. The warning is only to touch them wearing gloves, and even to wash one’s eyes after contact.

Meanwhile, Chinese vegetables for stir fry seem to be getting smaller. While pak choi was once presented in large polybags, mini stems are now arriving in trays. The latest convert is M&S, which has just introduced the line from Kenya at £1.99/90g.

It is also the time of the year when retailers have to source further afield for even the most commonplace of vegetables. Budgens has baby courgettes from South Africa at two for £3/170g.

Dates, traditionally associated with Christmas, are now available year round. Tesco has a 225g Medjool pack for £2.99, sourced in Israel, with the additional information that the grower comes from a West Bank settlement. —