Occasionally, Japan treats fruit as a luxury item, and melons are among the most expensive. With a value of up to thousands of dollars. How much would be the maximum you would pay?
In 2016, a pair of perfect and round melons originating in the Yubari region, in the north of the country, was sold by auction at US $ 27,000.
Also, in May 2019, two Hokkaido melons were sold at auction for five million yen. That’s a little over $ 45,000 , the Roads and Kingdoms travel site reported .
WHAT MAKES THIS FRUIT SO EXPENSIVE?
These fruits are grown under extremely controlled conditions to ensure they grow perfectly. Each season, they raise the bet to achieve something better: this is the case with tuna, Kobe meat, melons and grapes.
Often, each plant only produces ONE fruit to ensure that all nutrients and juices are combined in a delicious delicacy.
In July 2016, a bunch of Japanese Ruby Roman grapes – red and each the size of a ping pong ball – was bought for $ 11,000, Bussines Insider reports.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhxuz79FZkl/?utm_source=ig_embed
FRUIT AS A GIFT
Historically, fruit has played an important role in the nation’s gift culture. During the fourteenth century, samurai offered tangerines or melons to the shogun, their leader, as a sign of loyalty and appreciation.
Today this attitude still exists; however, it could be said that the fruit can be seen more as an appreciation vessel with the value labeled as the greatest symbol, rather than the fruit itself. An expensive fruit may seem ridiculous, but the implicit value is where it gets its value.
Another reason why fruit is so expensive in Japan is simply because it is considered perfect.
Farmers spend their careers dedicated to cultivating the perfect fruits , season after season, growing tirelessly, harvesting inspections and altering until creating the perfect specimen.
In order to ensure that they reach their full potential, farmers also supply melons with “melon massages” to ensure maximum sweetness. This work and this time are not cheap.
Once the best of the best has been selected, they go on the market to be bought by fancy fruit pickers and then sold for the price of a car.