Novel products keep being developed, despite reports of multiples taking a hard look at the overall profitability of their food chain.
Marks & Spencer has come up with a trimmed coconut, doubtless spurred on by the news that demand for its milk is rising. However this is not the first time the product has appeared.
Meanwhile, apart from instructions on how to open the £2.50 nut, there can be no confusion where it was purchased as the retailer's name is branded on the pithy exterior, plus the notation it was established in 1884.
Similarly black garlic has been around for some time, but is now being sold at Sainsbury's as a balsamic branded luxury packaged single bulb under the Balsajo label at £1.50.
The development of branding continues with potatoes. In the same store under the Taste the Difference banner, Cornish King has arrived at £1.50/kg.The variety is actually the International Kidney associated with Jersey.
Staying near home, British apricots grown in Kent have begun to arrive at Tesco, and are of sufficient size to be described as 'kings' at £2.50 for four.
There also seems to be an increased nationalistic passion in berry fruit, beyond merely stressing the arrivals are new season. The slogan 'A Taste of the British Isles' is appearing on M&S Sapphire raspberries at £2 ofr 170g, while punnets of blackcurrants at £2 for 200g are flying a heart-shaped Union Jack.
Not to be forgotten, red gooseberries at £2 for 250g are making an appearance alongside the traditional green variety Invicta.
Despite the Greek economy continuing to rock, some produce is finding its way onto the shelves at Waitrose, which has the 'sweet chestnut flavoured' Kabocha squash weighing in at around 2.5 kg for £4.50.
While there is no shortage of kiwifruit for the European markets, Asda is sourcing Hayward from lesser-known Australia at £1.25 for four.
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