"It is an accommodating species and many varieties grow successfully in our cooler, damper climate. You usually have to ripen the fruits off the tree here, but in warmer climates you can pick them soft, golden and sun-drenched. They will even adapt to growing in containers."

Mushrooms and roots in a paper or cloth bag; "bananas avocados, melons, marrows, courgettes, peppers, cucumbers and beans all become mushy and blackened much faster in a domestic fridge than a fruit bowl at room temperature."

"While we Brits struggle to meet our fruit and vegetable quota, in Japan they aim for an astonishing 17 portions daily. But who is right? And what counts anyway?"