A year ago, I came across a story in FPJ about trials of a speciality mini pear grown uniquely in Malta, called Bambinella, which was under trial on an exclusive basis for Marks & Spencer. As harvesting had finished, I never saw the final product.

The good news for their marketing company, the Ta’Qali Producers Group, is that the fruit obviously proved successful because the punnets are on the shelf again this season, under M&S’s Latest Discovery label, priced at £2.49 for 220g.

Small may be beautiful, but Morrisons has moved in the other direction with its UK-grown, jumbo-sized spring onions at 87p for three.

What also caught my eye at Waitrose were Piel de Sapo melons, which are now a regular arrival in this category, competing with Honeydew, Galia, Cantaloupe and other varieties. The name may still be a bit of a tongue twister, but in this case the fruit sourced from Spain at £2.49 each was branded Sugar Baby. While much easier to remember, I think I am right in recalling that it is also a type of watermelon.

Creating a point of difference is the name of the game and Tesco is emphasising that its

N Perle white-fleshed nectarines at £1.99 for four are a cut above the average, with the adhesion of a bold sticker proclaiming them “improved and sweeter”. I’ve always hoped there would be more information explaining why.

Fresh herbs have become a must-stock item in every multiple, regardless of what I have been told are high waste levels, whether in small packs or growing in pots.

Sainsbury’s has introduced a 45g British summer salad mix of mint, coriander and chives for £1.

There should hopefully be a few more weeks before the barbecues are put away, which must be good news for the sweet potatoes that have been arriving. Interest has obviously also excited the imagination from lesser-known sources. Waitrose has come up with a 500g pack from Egypt at £1.89.