"Instead of using spinach seeds in the flour wrappers, the owner of a franchise in France uses green tea powder, which is very popular there," said Lin Baodeng, head of the training center.

Dining choices include a bistro-like buffet with a do-it-yourself bagel bar, plus sandwiches and wraps such as a curried salmon salad with cucumber raita and baby spinach on a pumpernickel roll as well as a charcuterie board.

Spinach, a green leafy vegetable typically found on most dining tables at Chinese households, was retailing at about 16 yuan ($2.5) per half a kilogram.

Improbable as it may sound, spinach was pricier than pork!

"The falling prices of spinach and lettuce in some areas reflect the improving supply and demand situation," Tang said, adding that more and more vegetables are going to the market.

Their products mainly include local specialties, such as dried spinach, celery, leeks, tomatoes and olives.