Survival expert Ray Mears may be among its fans, but it has taken conserve maker Mondo Berry to turn little-known sea buckthorn and aronia berries into a modern hit. Although the medieval favourites grow naturally in England, Anabela Hardwick, director of Mondo Berry, described them as forgotten fruit, as they hadn’t been widely consumed for hundreds of years.

However, endorsement from Mears on his television programme and growing popularity for locally sourced produce had sparked consumer curiosity for the jams, she said. “The jams also appeal to consumers who are concerned about food miles and those who like something a little different,” said Hardwick.

The apple & sea ­buckthorn berry and aronia ­berry & apple with ginger variants are available now in Budgens stores, rsp £3.35.