Fruit in Japan is often treated as a luxury gift item rather than just food, reflecting deep-rooted cultural values of gift-giving and perfection.
The Craftsmanship:
- 👑 Premium melons, like the Yubari King, are grown in highly controlled greenhouses. Farmers often wear gloves and give the melons "massages" to improve their sweetness and shape.
- 🍈 Each plant is usually allowed to grow only one single fruit to ensure all nutrients are concentrated in that one melon.
The Value:
- 💰 In auctions, a pair of top-grade melons has sold for over $45,000 (5 million yen).
- 🎁 They are given as prestigious gifts during "Ochugen" or "Oseibo" seasons to show immense respect to bosses, business partners, or family members.