Sun-tanned cauliflowers and knobbly spuds - the heatwave veg that's good to eat

Farmers in the UK are facing challenges due to one of the driest, hottest growing seasons in decades. Repeated heatwaves, after a warmer than usual spring, have resulted in predictions of the worst harvest since records began. The heat not only affects the quantity of produce grown but also its appearance. Retailers usually reject fruits and vegetables that do not meet strict guidelines on size, shape, and color.

However, with supplies under pressure, many are expected to loosen these rules to avoid empty shelves. This could mean shoppers may start seeing smaller, misshapen, or oddly colored vegetables on shelves in the coming weeks. But, sellers and growers assure that such vegetables are still safe to eat. Cauliflower is one of the most affected vegetables in hot weather because it requires a lot of water.

Its heads, usually protected by leaves, receive more sunlight this year, turning them yellow. Oddbox, a subscription company, acquired 6,000 cauliflower heads that were too dark for supermarkets to sell. Growers report that their water reserves are depleted, leading to slower growth in cauliflower and broccoli, resulting in shorter supplies.

This shortage may prompt retailers to stock "sun-tanned" cauliflower to ensure product availability. Similarly, cucumbers are coming out misshapen due to greenhouses overheating, causing stress to the plants. Farmers are also discarding more produce due to pests like flea beetles, which thrive in hot, dry conditions. Supermarkets' strict cosmetic rules mean that minor damage can render produce unusable, but some have temporarily relaxed these rules.

Potato farmers report that hot weather stunts root growth, leading to oddly shaped tubers that supermarkets and chip shops usually reject. However, these knobbly potatoes are still edible, and supermarkets have dedicated lines for wonky vegetables to minimize waste. Supermarkets like Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, and Waitrose are already accommodating these imperfections to support British farmers and ensure customers have access to produce.

However, the challenge remains as British summers become hotter and drier due to climate change, making such heatwaves more frequent.